ESPN ranks Crowder as a top 4 rookie

[frozena pizza]

They rate the top rookies and include Crowder in a group of 4 at the top.  Notably, the other three in that group, Lillard, Waiters and Davis, were all taken in the top 6 of the draft.

http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/Rookies-121108/nba-rookie-watch-head-class

4. Jae Crowder, SF, Mavericks
Crowder reminds me of a smaller version of Kenneth Faried (as I wrote last week) and Corey Brewer, two of the best energy guys in the league. While he isn't the chaos creator that Brewer is or the monster rebounder that Faried is, Crowder is a better shooter it appears, and that projects extremely well for him and for Dallas. A combination of energy and a reliable shot is a rare thing.

Crowder will not continue to make more than 45 percent of his 3-point shots this season, but anything better than 35 percent for a player who plays as hard as he does means a long future for this second-round pick.

[bamamarquettefan]

Wow, not only ranks him 4th but puts the break in between him and "the other 6."  Hopefully Anthony Davis is fine from the concussion, but do you realize he would be on a short list for Rookie of the Year right now?

We had something special.  guess hte negative is that means we have a lot to replace - but I believe we do so by committee with a ton of talent.