Can't judge a player by his first year(s)

[Mass Debator]

Was there anyone ever in history who sucked in his first few years but then ended up being an all-star type player later on? Only one I can really think of is Chauncey Billups as the 3rd overall pick and not panning out until he got to Detroit in year 4 or 5. Rondo? High school prospects shouldn't really count like Kobe and McGrady who needed time to develop.

Anthony Bennett has a chance...lol...not sure if Lin counts yet.

And was there anyone the other way around...good ass first year but declined year after year? OJ Mayo? Tyreke?...well I think he's finding his niche in the pros now.

[outbreak]

Dirk wasn't successful in his rookie year.

[Real14]

Dirk wasn't successful in his rookie year.
This, nash, arenas, j.oneal etc.

[kamil]

Dirk wasn't successful in his rookie year.

They called him 'Irk' because he couldnt play D.

[outbreak]

This, nash, arenas, j.oneal etc.

To be fair to nash he didn't get much play time did he? I thought in his second season they gave him minutes and he something like top 10 3pt shooting that year?

[HurricaneKid]

TMac
Kobe

There is a growing chasm between College and the NBA. Today's rookies don't have nearly the impact of those from 12+ years ago.

[Real14]

To be fair to nash he didn't get much play time did he? I thought in his second season they gave him minutes and he something like top 10 3pt shooting that year?
Yea he was a 2nd or 3rd string PG for the suns that year. Not much min.

[Real14]

TMac
Kobe

There is a growing chasm between College and the NBA. Today's rookies don't have nearly the impact of those from 12+ years ago.
True. We all know kobe situation in rookie year 97. Tmac was on the bench his rookie year while john wallace and christie was starting.

[Inactive]

http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/nashst01.html
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http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lewisra02.html

A lot of guys needed a couple seasons.

[outbreak]

TMac
Kobe

There is a growing chasm between College and the NBA. Today's rookies don't have nearly the impact of those from 12+ years ago.

Teams these days seem more content to take one and dones who aren't NBA ready and develop them themselves rather than let them develop in college and hit the league ready to contribute. There's a stigma attached to 4 year players now as well, a lot of teams look at them and think something must be wrong with them for them to have had to stay 4 years.

Another one you could mention is JJ Redick, he isn't a star but he contributes well now and when he first entered the league he REALLY struggled. Overhauled his game though and now he's a competent ball handler, moves excellently off the ball, can create a bit for others, can actually drive and can still knocking down the 3 as expected.

[QuebecBaller]

Yea he was a 2nd or 3rd string PG for the suns that year. Not much min.

He was behind KJ and Kidd... there was not many minutes for him

[Sportal]

Was there anyone ever in history who sucked in his first few years but then ended up being an all-star type player later on? Only one I can really think of is Chauncey Billups as the 3rd overall pick and not panning out until he got to Detroit in year 4 or 5. Rondo? High school prospects shouldn't really count like Kobe and McGrady who needed time to develop.

Anthony Bennett has a chance...lol...not sure if Lin counts yet.

And was there anyone the other way around...good ass first year but declined year after year? OJ Mayo? Tyreke?...well I think he's finding his niche in the pros now.

Paul George?