If the NHL is serious about marketing the league and specifically it's players then they'll want to order back tapes of this show quicker than the Red Sox faithful re-embraced Manny Ramirez. NBA Rookies focused on the exploits of four rookies during the 2004-2005 season, covering their adjustments from draft night all the way through the playoffs. Along the way it provided plenty of insights of what rookie life entails ranging from buying a first house to handling all the travel and life on the road. If Andre Iguodala, Emeka Okafor, Devin Harris and J.R. Smith were able to gain greater notoriety as a result of this show you would think the NHL's new double cohort class of rookies would at least be able to experience some of the same fame if the league collaborated with SpikeTV on "NHL Rookies".

With all the hype surrounding the NHL's latest savior just think how great it would be to follow all the backstage exploits of Sidney Crosby as well as watch fellow rookies Alexander Ovechkin, Kari Lehtonen, Zack Parise, Jeff Carter and Mike Richards overcome the challenges of adjusting to their first NHL campaigns.

If you or the NHL missed the series here are just some of the highlights that would be fun to watch in a hockey context:

	Not much has changed for J.R. Smith in respect to decision making.  (Source: NBAE)

They're still kids: Despite signing a multi-million dollar deal straight out of high school not much has changed for Charlotte Hornet J.R. Smith. He bought his own house and moved in with his parents only to be rejected by his mom when he proposed turning his bedroom into a games room. His request after a New York road trip to buy a new Benz like fellow rookie Trevor Ariza was also quickly dismissed because his mother felt he already had a perfectly good car and did not need to spend his money so lavishly. Maybe J.R. Smith's mom can move in with Latrell Sprewell for a while and give him suggestions on how $14M can be used to put food on his family's table.

First impressions: After watching Charlotte Bobcats rookie Emeka Okafor struggle through practice drills at the pre-2004 Olympic camp Stephon Marbury was quick to make his opinions known:

Marbury: "What team did he get drafted by?"
Richard Jefferson: "That new Charlotte Bobcats franchise."
Marbury: "Oww they gonna be in trouble this year. Big man is going to struggle."

During the Hornets' training camp all rookies were made to sing in front of the entire team after practice as a form of initiation. Hornets rookie Nate Williams refused to sing and was later subjected to wind sprints before being promptly cut from one of the league's worst teams. How do you explain to your friends and family that one possible reason that you never made the NBA was because you refused to sing and thus alienated yourself for no good reason?

Veteran influence:

J.R. Smith: "Man, I got like 5 calls to my room last night."
Baron Davis: "Who did you register the room under?"
Smith: "J.R. Smith."
Davis: "You can't register the room as yourself. You need to use an alias."

"I just wanted to get him some veteran ice as appreciation for what he did for me" - Chris Webber commenting on the diamond encrusted watch he gave Andre Iguadola for giving up the No. 4 jersey.

Rookie Comparisons:

One of the best features of the series was when they brought the four rookies together at the all-star break and let them compare notes and experiences from the first half of the season. The rookies compared:

· Favourite stops on the road (NY, LA, Miami and…. Toronto) and least favourite road spots (Utah).
· Fines for cellphones going off during meetings
· Per diems
· Practices - "It's like Sgt. Slaughter is running our training camp." (Smith)
· "The Rookie Wall"
· Travel and the length of the season

	ESPN's The Season has already proven that hockey documentary series work.  (Source: ESPN)

ESPN's The Season has already proved that hockey can be covered in an interesting yearlong documentary style after two solid editions featuring the Red Wings and Avalanche. A documentary series on NHL rookies would go a long way in building fan bases for these young players at the ground stage. Plus nothing's better than being able to watch instant accountability of how poor a GM and scouting staff's judgment really is. Maybe it took seeing it on TV for Rob Babcock to truly comprehend that he gave up the chance to draft the next Scottie Pippen in Iguodala for Rafael Araujo.