Rookies in the NBA always make the biggest impact of any of the major professional sports. This year’s crop of rookies is one of the deepest and star studded classes of rookies in recent years. From Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, and OJ Mayo to International stars like Rudy Fernandez. With tipoff tomorrow night, FanIQ continues to give our NBA previews. Here are the 10 rookies that you need to know about who will make an impact this season:
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Greg Oden - You might be thinking, "How can Oden be a rookie, this is his second NBA season." Well, since Oden didn't play a single minute last year, he qualifies as a rookie this season. Oden is coming back from the Micro fracture surgery that he had before last season, and so far this preseason he has looked OK. I look for Oden to average around 12 points, 8 rebounds, and 1 block a game and begin to make a real impact around early January. 
Michael Beasley - Beasley had no problem scoring last season, and look for that to continue this season. Beasley is also a tremendous rebounder. Beasley will step in as the third option in Miami behind Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marion, but the Heat are trying to move Marion this season so Beasley will step in as Wade's sidekick.
OJ Mayo - Mayo was a beast in the Vegas Summer League and should step right in as the starting two guard for the young Grizzles. The Grizzles are one of the younger teams in the league this season and should be looking to play small ball and run, run, run. That should give Mayo plenty of chances to shine. Mayo can rely on his jump shot too much at times which will mean several explosive games when he is on but also some lower scoring and poor shooting nights when his settles solely for the jumper.
Derrick Rose - This year's number one pick will be stepping in on day one as the Bulls starting point guard. Rookie starting point guards usually have a tough time adjusting to the speed of the NBA so Rose will be good but not great this season. The Bulls have a solid group of role players which should help Rose get adjusted sooner rather than later.
Rudy Fernandez - Fernandez has been a proven player in Spain the past two years and he really came onto the American scene this Olympics when he introduced himself to Dwight Howard. Fernandez is yet another young player in Portland that has NBA fans abuzz about the Blazers. Fernandez should have no problem adjusting to the NBA as he was able to show in the Olympics that he has the range for the NBA plus the dribble attack that is necessary.
Jerred Bayless - Bayless was the MVP of the Vegas Summer League where he showed that he was able to dominate rookies and other guys that probably didn't make an NBA roster this season. Bayless will have to move from being a shoot first point guard to an actual point guard since the Portland roster is loaded with young talent.
Kevin Love - The Timberwolves made a draft night deal to pick up Love from the Grizzles and Love shouldn't disappoint. Love was solid and very consistent in his one year at UCLA. Love will have a tough time adjusting and fitting in for that matter, since the Timberwolves already have Al Jefferson playing down low.
Eric Gordon - Gordon is a scoring machine and the Clippers are hoping to tap into that scoring ability and use Gordon in the same way the Bulls use Ben Gordon as an instant offense guy off the bench. If Gordon is able to find his niche in that role, he could have a 6th man of the year in his future, just not Rookie of the Year this season.
Donte Greene - Greene was a scoring machine this summer in the Vegas Summer league for the Rockets. He dropped a league high 40 points in his final Summer League game. A few weeks later, Green was shipped out to Sacramento in the Ron Artest trade. Since the Kings are in all out rebuild mode, Greene should get plenty of opportunities this season. Greene has a tendency to rely too much on his jumper so that should mean a lot of up and down scoring games for him.
Bill Walker - The Celtics picked up Walker in a draft night deal from the Wizards who drafted the lottery talent worthy Walker with the 47th pick. Walker had minor knee surgery earlier this summer but has been playing this preseason, and playing well actually. Walker seems to be playing with a chip on his shoulder, as evident from this video of him basically picking a fight in a preseason game. Walker is a tremendous talent and with an aging Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, Walkers energy off the bench could be key in getting the Celtics back to where they want to be.
These are just 10 of the rookies that will surely be making an impact this upcoming season. As for prediction from me as to who I think will be Rooke of the Year, I think this will be one of the most competitve races for Rookie of the Year in recent memory. I am going to go with OJ Mayo to narrowly edge out Michael Beasley, Greg Oden, and Rudy Fernandez.
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