Quote:
Our only concern is that along with the report comes an alleged quote from Nellie saying that he’s always been comfortable just throwing rookies into the fire.
Which could not be further from the truth, of course.
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I'm not sure why people think Nellie won't play rookies, especially good rookies. Devin was the 5th pick in the draft and played three years in a major conference, he should be good.
Some rookies that played under Nellie:
Billy Owens - 77 starts, 31 mpg
Tim Hardaway - 78 starts, 33.7 mpg
Chris Webber - 76 starts, 32 mpg
Latrell Sprewell - 69 starts, 37 mpg
In Dallas Dirk started 24 games in a strike shortened season and played 20 minutes per game despite the fact that he was nowhere near ready to play in the league. He was still starstruck by the players he watched on television and he was wouldn't rebound.
Najera was a 2nd rounder who started 4 games including opening night
When Daniels proved he was ready to play, Nellie started him in the playoffs. Howard started 29 games and it probably would have been more if he could have stayed healthy.
Maybe I'm forgetting a talented rookie that he kept on the bench.