Strong start for rookies; more observations from opening week

The 2009 rookie class looks like it will provide more meaningful contributors than anticipated. Eleven first-year players have averaged more than 20 minutes per game during the first week of the season -- and that's without top pick Blake Griffin, who is sidelined with a kneecap injury.

It isn't just rebuilding teams stocking their lineups with rookies either. The Nuggets, who lost to the Lakers in last year's Western Conference finals, opened with three consecutive victories while deploying rookie point guard Ty Lawson both in relief of Chauncey Billups and alongside Mr. Big Shot in their backcourt. The Spurs, widely expected to mount the most serious challenge to the Lakers' conference supremacy, have second-round pick DeJuan Blair spelling veteran Tim Duncan for significant minutes as they gird for what they hope will be a grueling 100-plus-game season counting the playoffs.

The examples of Lawson and Blair demonstrate that even already successful franchises choosing late from a supposedly thin pool of talent can add a crucial component in their push for a championship. Not only do they provide welcome respite for grizzled cornerstone players like Billups and Duncan, but they also complement the surrounding personnel or shore up a glaring weakness. Lawson is an ideal catalyst for a Nuggets second unit that thrives in an up-tempo setting. And Blair, who led the NCAA in offensive rebounds last season, comes to a Spurs team that ranked last in that category last season. Don't be surprised if both players are logging meaningful minutes in second-round playoff action next spring.

Elsewhere, rookie point guards made a dramatic impact in the first week. A night after missing a triple-double by a single rebound and assist against Philadelphia, Brandon Jennings scored 24 points to lead the Bucks past the Pistons. The 6-foot-1 Jennings, who turned 20 six weeks ago, led the Bucks in minutes, scoring and assists and was even second in rebounds after three games. In Golden State, rookie Stephen Curry led the Warriors in minutes and assists, while point guard Jonny Flynn topped the Timberwolves in assists and ranked second in scoring. The Kings have flipped the keys to their offense to Tyreke Evans, who was second on the team in assists and third in scoring through the first week.

Another interesting point about this freshman crop is the contribution of so many late selections. Led by Lawson (the 18th pick) and Blair (37th), 10 of the top 20 rookies in minutes were chosen 18th or later, including Atlanta's Jeff Teague (19th), Sacramento's Omri Casspi (23rd) and Jon Brockman (38th), Chicago's Taj Gibson (26th), Minnesota's Wayne Ellington (28th), Memphis' Sam Young (36th) and Houston's Chase Budinger (44th).

Let's look at some other notable developments from the opening week:

• The clear-cut ranking of the three top dogs in the Eastern Conference goes Boston, Orlando and then Cleveland. The Celtics are way ahead of every other franchise in terms of quality execution at both ends of the court. Kevin Garnett can't sky like he once did, but he still has enough elevation for his signature turnaround jumper in the left block. He also has regained the lateral skedaddle that anchors the Celtics' clampdown defense -- ask the Bobcats, downsized to 59 points by Boston in their season opener.

Beyond KG's health, the good news for the Celtics includes stellar play by lumbering big man Kendrick Perkins. His example was followed by well-traveled former lottery pick Shelden Williams, who reincarnated his potential by averaging 7.0 points and 6.5 rebounds in only 17.3 minutes in the Celtics' 4-0 start. This is Boston's 10th man?

The Magic's depth was likewise on display as they went unbeaten despite the suspension of Rashard Lewis and injuries to Vince Carter and Mickael Pietrus. It helps that J.J. Redick played with his college confidence while racking up 27 points against Toronto, and that Jason Williams looks able to provide solid backup at the point to Jameer Nelson, who was in last year's All-Star form to start the season. And they're rejoicing in Disneyland about Dwight Howard's 14-of-16 performance at the free-throw line against the Raptors.

In Cleveland, however, the Cavs have issues. Raise your hand if you expected Shaquille O'Neal and Zydrunas Ilgauskas -- not twin towers so much as a water tank and a silo -- to share the court for any time this season. Defending high pick-and-rolls and closing out on the wings remain sore spots, and the offense has been sputtering. Coach Mike Brown has sought more touches for guard Mo Williams, who scored 28 points in the Cavs' opening two losses and 44 in their subsequent two victories, and the return of Delonte West was an elixir in the win against Charlotte. But here's a harsh reality: The Cavs are minus-26 in the 36:39 LeBron James has been off the court.