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Blazers in 2014 NBA Rookie Survey weren’t Blazers … yet (Part V of a continuing series)

Matt George Moore|
PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for photos during the annual Media Day September 28, 2015 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - SEPTEMBER 28: Noah Vonleh #21 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for photos during the annual Media Day September 28, 2015 at the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

As promised, we’re gonna take a look at the 2014 NBA Rookie Survey. It featured several players who would pass through Rip City as Portland Trail Blazers.

We’re going to start with a recap, which has become the standard operation procedure for these types of Portland Trail Blazers pieces.

First and foremost — the one that started this series: Last week, we examined the 2018 NBA Rookie Survey. It was all about Gary Trent Jr. and Jusuf Nurkic.

Then, we peeked at the 2012 NBA Rookie Survey. That one was chock-full of Damian Lillard, Meyers Leonard and former Blazer Will Barton (“the people’s champ“; “Will the Thrill“).

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Next, we went over and over again the 2013 NBA Rookie Survey, which featured a youthful CJ McCollum and a cherubic Allen Crabbe.

And then you know what we did? We skipped right over the 2014 Rookie Survey. That’s because we had the silly notion that it wouldn’t make any sense, since (see what I did there?) Portland didn’t have any draft picks in 2014.

We Got to Thinkin’

But then we got to thinkin’ (which is always a dangerous activity): It does make sense, since (haha!) there were several players who not only eventually played for Portland but had quite an impact.

Furthermore, there’s one player drafted in 2014 who plays for Portland now.

Talkin’ about the following players (in alphabetical order): Shabazz Napier (signed as a free agent with the Brooklyn Nets in 2018); Nik Stauskas (he’s the one who plays for Portland now) and Noah Vonleh (traded to the Bulls in February 2018; now plays for the New York Knicks).

Let’s get to the voting.

Blazers in 2014 NBA Rookie Survey

The following Portland players (who were not yet Portland players in 2014 — have I hammered that point home hard enough?) received votes in the 2014 NBA Rookie Survey.

Question: Who will be the 2014-15 Rookie of the Year?

Napier tied for fourth in this category with 5.6 percent of the vote. Jabari Parker got the most votes.

Andrew Wiggins, who finished with 8.3 percent of the vote, eventually won the actual Rookie of the Year Award.

Question: Which rookie will have the best career?

Parker won this vote, too. Vonleh finished in the “others receiving votes” category.

Question: Which rookie is being most overlooked?

Once again, Vonleh finished in the “others receiving votes” category.

Question: Which rookie is the best shooter?

Stauskas had the best showing of any of the Blazer rookies in the survey, finishing second in this category with 26.3 percent of the vote.

Question: Which rookie is the best defender?

Vonleh finished tied for eighth with category with 5.4 percent of the vote.

Question: Which rookie is the best playmaker?

Napier made it onto this list with 5.4 percent of the vote. Stauskas was in the “others receiving votes” category.

Stay tuned for Part VI!