Running on Empty

It's called hitting the "rookie wall," and it has nothing to do
with running into 7'3", 238-pound Cavaliers center Zydrunas
Ilgauskas in the paint. Rather, it refers to the time of year
when first-year NBA players, accustomed to college seasons that
last about 35 games, begin to feel the wear and tear of an
82-game grind. Here's a look at the rookies who have had the
biggest gains and dropoffs in shooting percentage from their
first 35 games to those played since (through March 1; minimum
40 games played). --Marty Burns

HITTING THE WALL
FG PCT FG PCT
FIRST AFTER
PLAYER, TEAM 35 GAMES GAME 35 DIFFERENCE

Adonal Foyle, C, Warriors .427 .300 -.127
Keith Closs, C, Clippers .477 .375 -.102
Keith Van Horn, F, Nets (right).411 .320 -.091
Cedric Henderson, F, Cavaliers .531 .440 -.091
Tim Duncan, F-C, Spurs .576 .508 -.068
Danny Fortson, F, Nuggets .447 .384 -.063
Tim Thomas, F, 76ers .489 .433 -.056

HURDLING THE WALL
FG PCT
FIRST FG PCT GAME
PLAYER, TEAM 35 GAMES 36 & AFTER DIFFERENCE

Zydrunas Ilgauskas, C, Cavaliers .492 .530 +.038
Bobby Jackson, G, Nuggets* .391 .429 +.038
Chauncey Billups, G, .371 .402 +.031
Celtics-Raptors
Ron Mercer, G-F, Celtics .445 .446 +.001

*On injured list. Source: Elias Sports Bureau

COLOR PHOTO: PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID E. KLUTHO [Keith Van Horn in game]