Larry Johnson and Dikembe Mutombo, the class of the best rookie class in more than a decade, are showing they have what it takes to be NBA stars.
Just ask them."My goal is to dominate," Mutombo said, and by the relative standards of the Denver Nuggets, the 7-foot-2 rookie has dominated.
Johnson also has the cocky self-confidence that characterizes many NBA superstars.
"There's no pressure on me because I know how to play," Johnson said. "I knew what to expect. I knew all about how physical it is. I felt comfortable from the start."
After a slow start, Johnson is coming on very strong in the Rookie of the Year race, averaging 17 points and 12 rebounds. Fears that he was too short at 6-5 to play inside in the NBA have disappeared.
"The guy's automatic when you get him the ball 6 feet from the basket," Hornets coach Allan Bristow said of his 250-pound forward. "We don't have any reservations with who we got (with the No. 1 pick). If we had it to do over again, we'd do the same thing."
In his first meeting with Larry Bird on Nov. 16, Johnson had 27 points and 15 rebounds to 25 points and 11 rebounds for Bird, who had eight assists compared to one for the rookie.
"He's strong, quick and a great team player," Bird said of Johnson. "He takes his time and when it's his time to score, he's there."
Mutombo, the fourth pick in the 1991 draft, is averaging 19 points and nearly 14 rebounds. He got early season tests against two of the best veteran centers in the NBA - Hakeem Olajuwon of Houston and David Robinson of San Antonio. Mutombo combined for 48 points and 30 rebounds in the two games.
"David was really surprised how big and physical he was, and David has the fat lips to prove it," Spurs coach Larry Brown said. "Mutombo plays with his hands up and when he stands behind you, it's hard to even see the basket."
"I can tell you one thing, his elbows are sharp," Robinson said.
The rookie talent does not by any means stop with Mutombo and Johnson.
Billy Owens of Golden State, Steve Smith of Miami, Stacey Augmon of Atlanta, Kenny Anderson of New Jersey, Terrell Brandon of Cleveland, Greg Anthony of New York, Mark Macon of Denver, Dale Davis of Indiana, Victor Alexander of Golden State, Rick Fox of Boston and Robert Pack of Portland all have been impressive, although not always consistent.
Not since 1981 has the rookie class shown this kind of depth.
The 1981 class included Isiah Thomas, Buck Williams, Mark Aguirre, Rolando Blackman, Tom Chambers, Larry Nance, Kelly Tripucka, Herb Williams, Danny Schayes and Alton Lister. All but Tripucka are still in the NBA.
In perhaps the season's biggest irony, Golden State coach Don Nelson, notorious for his reluctance to rely on rookies, is using Owens and Alexander (No. 17) extensively and also has gotten some help from a third first-year pro, Chris Gatling (No. 16).
"The No. 1 thing I look for in the draft is guys who know how to play basketball," said Nelson, who acquired Owens from Sacramento in a trade for Mitch Richmond. "Larry Bird is a 10, but Billy Owens is right up there, an 81/2 or a 9. He was the best basketball player in the draft."
Many people wondered if it was worth breaking up Golden State's Run-TMC - Tim Hardaway, Richmond and Chris Mullin - to get Owens.
"We're used to watching Tim and Chris play so well, but Billy has taken that next step and is beginning to blossom," Nelson said.
Owens was taken third in the draft behind Johnson and Anderson, whose late signing has hampered his early development. Nets coach Bill Fitch has alternated among being critical, sarcastic and glowing in his comments about his rookie point guard.
"Unless you know where you're going, you can't use your speed," Fitch said. "But with Kenny, every once in a while, you see a glimpse."
Fifth in the draft was Miami's 6-7 Smith, who took over as the Heat's point guard when Sherman Douglas became a holdout.
"Steve would rather have an assist on a good pass than score," Heat coach Kevin Loughery said. "Not many people come into the league with that kind of attitude."
Doug Smith, the No. 6 pick by Dallas, also was a late signee, but has shown signs of contributing recently with four consecutive double-figure scoring games, including 17 in a victory over Miami.