You have to look at the composition of the teams and then surmise the talents of the rookies. Most championship caliber teams don't have rookies on their roster that are expected to play. Norris Cole got minutes in the NBA finals as a rookie.
Very few of those championship teams had a guy that was #2 in ROY voting. You have to look at the composition of the team first. Now I grant you the fact that most championship caliber teams are reluctant to trust rookies but the Morotic case is different. He has demonstrated that he deserves to play.
Most championship caliber teams have rookies that are not that good. Reason being that they are drafting late in the first round. I don't know what playing Hinrich does for you. You asked me when have young players played significant roles and I gave you examples. Doesn't matter the Era but I will give you one of more recent vintage. Tayshun Prince was a rookie starter on the 2004 Piston team that won the championship. Larry Brown rarely played rookies yet he adjusted. Thibs hasn't. That's the difference. Once again Tayshun Prince was a rookie starter on the 2003 championship Piston team. That debunks your argument right there.
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The Hawk wrote:
This is going to reach a head pretty soon.