Batch 2001
In the National Basketball Association there are only six of them that are still active playing, but these members of the rookie class of 2001 are still making their presence felt in their respective teams. As of last look, players still around from the rookie batch of 15 years back are Pau Gasol and Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs, Zach Randolph of the Memphis Grizzlies, Joe Johnson of the Utah Jazz, Tyson Chandler of the Phoenix Suns and Richard Jefferson of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
They may no longer be the front- and- center guys of their early years in The Association but they continue to be productive and key components for the teams they now play for.
Gasol, the number 3 pick of the 2001 draft by Memphis, has been a two-time champion while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers. He also had successful years in Chicago before landing on San Antonio this season in the post-Tim Duncan era.
The Spanish big man has been a steady presence for the Spurs in his first year with them, averaging 11.2 points ( 4th in the team), 7.3 rebounds ( 1st), 2.6 assists ( 4th) and 1.16 blocks ( 2nd) in 26 minutes on the floor. His arrival undoubtedly has cushioned the impact of the departure of Duncan while also helping the team remain an NBA contender.
Teammate Parker, selected 28th in the draft, has only played three- fourths of the total 20 games that the Spurs have played so far this season. Wear and tear has certainly taken a toll on the Frenchman, who has been a stalwart for the team since joining it.
But when Parker plays he still needs to be paid attention to, capable of changing the complexion of games with averages of 9.7 points and 4.3 assists in 26 minutes of log time.
Starters for most their careers, Randolph and Johnson have now found themselves coming off the bench this season but nonetheless mattering still relative to the playing time they are having.
Randolph, the 19th overall pick of Portland, has been good for 14.2 points and a team- high 7.9 rebounds in just 22 minutes in 15 games. So impressive “Z- Bo” has been that this early he is one of the favorites for the sixth man of the year award.
Johnson, the 10th pick by Boston, meanwhile, started for the Jazz at the start of the season while Gordon Hayward was still out because of injury. He has since reverted to the bench and still continues to produce in the 24- minute usage time he has. “Iso-Joe” has been steady for 9.1 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.1 assists apart from being a locker room presence for a young Jazz team.
Second overall pick Chandler ( Chicago), for his part, has brought his defensive presence to the Valley of the Sun. An NBA champion with Dallas, the Suns have turn to Chandler to do the hustle work and he is responding accordingly, averaging a team- high 11.5 rebounds to go along with 6.8 points in 26 minutes.
Stepped up big for the Cavaliers in their title conquest last season, Jefferson, the 13th pick of Houston, is backstopping well anew for the world champions. Set to retire after last season, “RJ” has been repaying the thrust given him with numbers of 4.7 points and 2.6 rebounds in 18 minutes while also being the veteran presence for the team in more ways than one.
While the remaining members of NBA rookie batch of 2001 may be past their prime, still they are showing that one is not done in the league as long as you put the needed work and adjust accordingly; something to really take cue from.