Considering all the turmoil surrounding the Sonics -- continuous moving of players, a 16-43 record and the incessant commentary about whether they're staying in Seattle or moving to Oklahoma City -- Kevin Durant deserves to be lauded for living up to his billing as the consensus preseason rookie of the year.

Once the Blazers' Greg Oden went down with microfracture knee surgery before the season even began, the expectations for Durant were immense. Although the circumstances surrounding the team have precluded success, there was some anticipation that he could hasten their improvement. It hasn't happened, along with Atlanta's Al Horford, he's been consistently the most productive rookie.

But as so many of the rookies from the lottery have run smack into the proverbial wall in the final third of the season (not to mention their languishing teams), the final pick of the lottery - Al Thornton - has picked up a head of steam despite the seemingly inevitable implosion of the Clippers down the stretch.

Thornton, the 6-8, 220-pound forward from Florida State, has raised his numbers to 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds on the strength of averaging 17.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over the past 17 games. Twice he has scored 33 points during that time and he's had 23 or more points seven times.

And Thornton isn't the only rookie from the bottom of the lottery to step up recently, as Thaddeus Young has played a role in the resurgent Sixers move into the seventh spot of the Eastern Conference. While the Sixers have won 12 of their past 17 games, Young, also a 6-8, 220-pound forward but from Georgia Tech, has averaged 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds.

That's not to minimize how Durant has lingered near 20 points a game all season, nor the way Horford has been on the verge of a averaging a double-double for the erratic Hawks the entire season. But this is the time of year when you learn a lot about rookies, and what kind of mental toughness they have now and for the future.

Meanwhile, we would be remiss not to recognize the great job free agent Jamario Moon has done for the Raptors, along with Luis Scola for the Rockets and Juan Carlos Navarro for the Grizzlies, but they've all played professional basketball for several years. This review is about how the young players are learning to deal with their first season playing with the big boys.

In other words, this is all about grading the impact the lottery picks have had on their respective teams - keeping in mind most of these guys are on teams that are still trying to figure out how to win games on a consistent basis with young players.

So this is what we've got so far, and we'll check back after the season is over - which won't be long for at least 10 of the 14.

1. Greg Oden, Portland Trail Blazers, 7-1, 270, C: The word on Oden needing major surgery came down a month before training camp even began. The affable 7-1 center remains at the core of what the future bodes for the Blazers, who were the surprise of the NBA before the first of the year and are still above .500. Just competing without Oden, with another lottery pick in the offing come June, he'll have his shot at rookie of the year next season with a team on the rise. Grade: Incomplete.

2. Kevin Durant, Seattle SuperSonics, 6-9, 220 G-F: The Sonics have been a mess all season, but Durant has somehow managed to average around 19.4 points and 4.1 rebounds from the beginning. His shot selection has improved some from early season launching, but the team hasn't helped him any with the revolving door not only on the floor, but on the roster. The usage of his quickness, long arms and great hands on defense has been gradually improving and helped the Sonics on occasion. Grade: B.

3. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, 6-10, 245, F-C: The Hawks looked like they were headed in the right direction in December - playoff-bound for the first time in nine years. But they've fallen apart since then. Not Horford. He's been a rock, and arguably more consistently effective than Durant, although not as flashy. Over the past 17 games, he's averaged 10.9 points and 10.1 rebounds - as opposed to his season average of 9.6 points and 10.0 rebounds. Tough physically and mentally, he's been surprisingly consistent on a terribly inconsistent team. Grade: B-plus.

4. Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies, 6-1, 175, PG: Drafted by a team that already had three point guards, this never made sense from the beginning, and the slim and young Conley wasn't physically ready at the beginning of the season to run the team. But his minutes have picked up considerably since the first of the year as the woeful Grizzlies packed it in anyway. He's averaged 10.8 points and a shade less than 5.0 assists the past 17 games during which the Grizz have managed to win just three - which isn't that much better than the 9.3 points and 4.6 assists for the season. He's got great floor awareness, quickness and delivers the ball well ... unless they ruin him. Grade: C.

5. Jeff Green, Seattle SuperSonics (from the Boston Celtics), 6-9, 235, F: Acquired in the Ray Allen as the yang to Durant's yin, he's been yanked in and out of the line all season by coach P.J. Carlesimo, so it's been difficult to get a read on what Green can do. He's smart, tough and strong, but he's been a typically erratic rookie on an even more erratic team. Green seems destined to be the starting small forward on this team for many years, with Durant sliding back to shooting guard - although some believed Green would fill out to be a power forward. As it is, he's been right around 9.0 points and 4.9 rebounds all season. They wanted a solid character role player and got him. Grade: C.

6. Yi Jianlian, Milwaukee Bucks, 6-11, 235, F: A controversial pick from the beginning, Yi made it clear he didn't want to go to Milwaukee, but eventually caved when they wouldn't trade his rights. He played well in the preseason, responded once the regular season began as well. But the slim 7-footer has hit double figures only twice over the past six weeks, and really began the big fade after the first of the year. Averaging just 7.4 points and 3.8 rebounds over the past 17 games, the fade has dropped his average below the solid double figure scoring and 6-plus rebounds he was averaging into January to 8.9 points, 5.3 rebounds and dropping. Grade: C-minus.

7. Corey Brewer, Minnesota Timberwolves, 6-8, 185, G-F: The Wolves expected instant impact from one of the key components of the two-time defending NCAA champion Florida Gators, but are still waiting. He's been given plenty of opportunity, but can't manage to get his numbers above 5.8 points and 3.8 rebounds. He is a superb defender, with great quickness and hands, which helps a lot on a bad team like the Timberwolves. But he's got to develop a more consistent jump shot - always in question at Florida too - while getting to the rim when it is there. The latter will come with time, but his shot needs work. Grade: C-minus.

8. Brendan Wright, Golden State Warriors (from the Charlotte Bobcats), 6-10, 200:  It was hard to figure how Wright would break into the Warriors lineup this season for any number of reasons considering how deep they are on the wings, plus coach Don Nelson's history of letting rookies sit. Essentially, that's been the story for the long, skinny and athletic North Carolina product. He's played in only 22 games all season for the 36-22 W's, but has averaged 7.2 points and 5.0 rebounds in the six game he's played over the past month. However, something must be happening because Nellie has played him the past two games and he's averaged 12.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 2.5 blocks. He's perfect for the system and it will be interesting to see how the final six weeks pan out - he should be handed the minutes Grandpappy Chris Webber is getting. Grade: C.

9. Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls, 6-11, 235, C-F: Aggressive on the floor and outspoken off of it, this season has hardly been a picnic for Noah or the Bulls. He was in and out of the lineup before Scott Skiles was fired and it's only been slightly better with Jim Boylan. But the dealing of Ben Wallace has opened the door for him to be the center, period. He's averaged 7.8 points and 5.7 rebounds in the six games since the big trade, which isn't really measurably better than the 5.3 points and 4.8 rebounds for the season. This season has been a disappointing mess for them, and we'll get a better take on him next year. Grade: C

10. Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings, 7-0, 245, C: Questions about his knees bore out right away when he was sidelined early in the season, and his lack of strength overall explained why so many told him coming out after his freshman year was too soon. But he is a very skilled basketball player with great hands, touch and passing ability. What we don't know is if he can hold up physically as the Kings center of the future when Brad Miller is finished. Most of his appearances have been token, averaging just 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds - slightly better (4.9 and 2.9) over the past 17. Nobody will question his talent, but he has a long way to go to prove his body can handle playing in the NBA. Grade: C-minus.

11. Acie Law, Atlanta Hawks, 6-3, 195, PG: Allegedly, the Hawks finally got their point guard after opting not to take Deron Williams, Chris Paul and even swing guard Brandon Roy in the previous two drafts. But it just hasn't worked for them, as Law has struggled all season with a chronic wrist problem that needs to be resolved in the offseason. An overachiever at Texas A&M, you've got to love his attitude and work ethic, but he's a long way from proving he can consistently run a team. And that's why they trade for Mike Bibby, who still has plenty of tread left on his tires. Law's average of 4.6 points and 2.3 assists for the season is reflective of any portion of the season - probably half of what they wanted and needed from his as the 11th pick. Grade: C-minus.

12. Thaddeus Young, Philadelphia 76ers, 6-8, 220, F: A lot of people liked Young coming out of Georgia Tech - smart, athletic and very coachable. But he was so young and seemingly raw ...it was hard to figure he would contribute much this season.  But he's one of those guys with great work habits and continues to improve as a result of that ethic. His contribution was minimal until after the first year, since then he has blossomed in the rotation. Over the past 17 games, Young has averaged 10.8 points and 6.1 rebounds, including a stretch of 10 games during which he reached double figures in scoring. Besides, he's extremely quick and thriving when coach Maurice Cheeks has them press - averaging 2.0 steals a game over the past 10. Grade: B.

13. Julian Wright, New Orleans Hornets, 6-8, 225, F. Ironically, he has suffered the same fate as Brendan Wright, struggling to find minutes on the playoff-bound Hornets. Nonetheless, it doesn't translate to two Wrights making a wrong. The former Kansas star has played in only 34 games, 11 over the past two months - managing to average just a couple of points and a rebound. With the lack of depth the Hornets have, he should have been able to earn some minutes by now. It's a wasted year for him, without question, when he could have been raising his game to another level and helping the Jayhawks compete for a national championship.  Grade: D.

14. Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers: 6-8, 220, F. Thornton had such a great preseason for the Clippers - particularly since Elton Brand was sidelined with an Achilles tendon tear. And with Oden out for the year, he became the sleeper pick for rookie of the year. But once the regular season started, he rapidly lost his effectiveness and minutes. But injuries kept hurting the Clippers, and coach Mike Dunleavy turned back to Thornton again around Christmas. Gradually, he regained the confidence of the preseason and started putting up numbers to get his season's averages up to 11.5 points and 4.1 rebounds. But it's the nearly 18 points and 6 rebounds of the past 17 games that have turned everyone's head. He's a tough guy and will only get better. Grade: B.