Most college players play around 30 games in a season.  Therefore, every year when we hit the halfway mark of the NBA season I like to look at what has happened to the NBA rookies when the NBA season hits the halfway mark.   What I regularly see is that players fall off tremendously.  

This year it is the exact same story.   Only 6 rookies are getting considerable time this season.  Only 1 of them is playing as well at the current time.  Memphis point guard, Mike Conley, is playing well, but he was injured and has still played 18 games.

What makes this more interesting is that the rookies that are holding their own are 27 year old Jamario Moon in Toronto,  Moon is improving and has started 34 games.  Also, another 27 year old Juan Carlos Navarro is prospering in Memphis. 

The rest of the rookies have smacked right into the wall.

Kevin Durant, the 2nd pick, in the month of January is shooting 40% and 22% from three – all month lows.  Going to the line less, getting less blocks, assists and rebounds per game. He is shooting more so his numbers seem better.   He is just 8 of 36 from three in the month.  Durant is actually having a very poor offensive year that rivals the terrible year Adam Morrison had last year in Charlotte.

 Al Horford, the 3rd pick, shooting % is down 3.5% from December and 7% in November.  His rebounding numbers are still very strong.

 Mike Conley, the 4th pick,  is playing well he was hurt but has only played 18 games.

 Jeff Green, the 5th pick, has had his shooting percentage drop 10% from December to January.  Down 1 rebound from Dec and 2 from November.

Yi Jianlian, the 6th pick, has had his  fg% dropped 14 % from December. His rebounding is down 1.5 rebounds.  He is averaging less than 4 points per game than one month ago.

Corey Brewer, the 7th pick, is playing 14 minutes less per game. Rebounds down from 6 a game to 2 a game. 

Very few other  rookies are being asked to carry any burden.  On other Sean Williams, in New Jersey seems to be able to hold his own right now.   He is now starting for the Nets and has put up numbers while the Nets are losing.