NBA Rookies who will have a surprising impact in 2014

TJ Warren, Phoenix SunsA lot of people don’t know about TJ Warren but this guy can put the ball in the basket.  Warren was the second best scorer in college basketball behind Doug McDermott.  He averaged 25 points per game and is exactly what the Suns need .  The Suns need a wing scorer and they got just that.  Warren will have a great chance to challenge Gerald Green for the starting Small Forward job in Phoenix.  Even if he doesn’t start, he will have a huge contribution off the bench and will help out Bledsoe and Dragic and take the scoring off of their shouldersPJ Hairston, Charlotte HornetsHairston was a major steal in this year’s draft and is a perfect fit for Charlotte.  Charlotte needs help in their backcourt as Kemba Walker needs a partner.  Walker might have gotten his guy in PJ Hairston.  Hairston has an unfair advantage because he played in both college and in the D-League which is the closest thing to the NBA.  Hairston can do it all as he dropped two 40 point games last year in the D-League.  He is a great size for a shooting guard with range and the abilities to get to the rim.  Hairston is my dark horse to win the NBA Rookie of the year in 2014.Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers Clarkson was picked in the second round of this year’s draft but was projected a late first rounder.  Clarkson will have a great chance to prove himself in LA for two reasons: 1. Steve Nash is getting old and is very injury prone, therefore giving Clarkson great experience on the court. 2. It’s LA, Everybody is watching.  If Clarkson has one 30 point game, the whole world will be voting him to the all-star team.  That’s how much publicity Clarkson will have in Los Angeles.  If Clarkson stays healthy, he will have a lot of chances to start and with an ailing Kobe Bryant, he might have the whole team to himself.  I like Clarkson’s versatility as well. He is 6’4 and has a big advantage over other point guards as he can easily rise up and hit three pointers. Jordan McRae, Philadelphia 76ersFrankly, Nobody knows about Jordan McRae.  McRae is an electrifying 2 guard who will bring excitement and shooting to Philadelphia.  He’s a long shot to make the all Rookie First Team, but he will show off his talents as Philly is not in a win now mode.  They don’t have a stable 2 guard so why not give McRae a shot?  He will get plenty of shots to show off his talent and will ultimately be marked as a steal in the 2014 NBA Draft.