Although the 2008-09 NBA season is less than a month old, the top rookies are starting to separate themselves from the pack. Here’s a look at the top four NBA Rookie of the Year candidates so far this season.

4. Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Although Beasley might be as talented as anyone on this list, he still has a lot of growing up to do. With the Heat, he doesn’t play hard every night and as a result, he has found himself in the doghouse at times. That said, Beasley is still young and has a good chance of eventually becoming a star.

3. OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
In college at USC, Mayo shot for a low percentage and turned the ball over a lot, but he has corrected those shortcomings on the NBA level. He’s now a top notch scorer for the Grizzlies who could one day lead the league in scoring. Mayo is also a willing passer and an underrated defender. The fact that he plays in one of the smallest markets in the league could hinder his case for the Rookie of the Year award.

2. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers
Coming into the 2008-09 NBA season, no rookie was hyped as much as Oden. He was actually drafted in the 2007 NBA Draft, however he missed all of last season for the Trail Blazers after undergoing microfracture surgery on his knee. Although he got off to a slow start to begin his campaign, Oden is now showing the potential everyone knew he had.

1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Rose
It hasn’t taken Rose long to adjust to professional basketball. At least year at this time, he was entering his freshman season at Memphis. Now with the Bulls, Rose is quickly becoming one of the best point guards in the NBA. Not only is he a very good passer and playmaker, he can also score the ball with ease from both the perimeter and at the basket.

Tags: basketball, Chicago Rose, Derrick Rose, Greg Oden, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Michael Beasley, nba, nba rookies, OJ Mayo, Portland Trail Blazers
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