What grades do the league’s rookies deserve? Are any of them standing out among their peers? Is Rookie of the Year already decided?
Ten days into the season, most NBA players have suited up for a handful of games and shown at least a glimpse of what they have to offer this year. Some have shown the marvelous, from DeMar DeRozan scoring everything to Aaron Gordon unleashing his application for the Dunk Contest on unsuspecting crowds. Others have shown the lackluster, such as airballing free throws or face-planting into a basketball.
For the league’s rookies, the past few games were their first true initiation into the fires of the National Basketball Association. Some have shined, some have been silent, and others are very much yet to be decided.
The Lottery Mafia is issuing its first Rookie Report Card. In just a few lines, how is each of the top rookies faring? Who is top of the class?
The Top 10
Ben Simmons: Incomplete – A preseson foot injury will keep Simmons sidelined for weeks to come; his grade is being withheld for now.
Brandon Ingram: C – Unable to secure significant minutes even on a bottom-tier team, Ingram has shown he is not yet ready to star in the NBA. Until his shot begins to fall, he will continue to occupy the fringe of the rotation.
Jaylen Brown: B – Brown has brought intensity on both ends of the court, and he has been efficient when looking to shoot. His defense needs technical improvement, but that takes time. The more pressing issue is whether he can increase his rebounding rate.
Dragan Bender: C+ – No one expected Bender to be ready out of the gate, so this grade doesn’t strike the bottom. But thus far, Bender has been a swinging door on defense and hasn’t contributed to any box score stat.
Kris Dunn: B+ – Filling in for the injured Ricky Rubio, Dunn has done everything but score in bunches for the fledgling Timberwolves. He is averaging 2.3 steals per game, by far the most in the rookie class and good for eighth in the league. However, he is also averaging 2.3 steals a game, one of the factors leading to Tyus Jones closing games for the Timberwolves.
Buddy Hield: D+ – Hield was supposed to be good at one thing – shooting the basketball. Through an 0-5 New Orleans start he cannot get anything going, including hitting only 32 percent of his shots from the field and only 21 percent from long-range. Add in expectedly poor defense and rebounding and very little playmaking, and you have the most disappointing rookie in the league to date.
Jamal Murray: C- – Jamal Murray stands out in a unique way: he is yet to hit a shot from the field, going 0-16 through four games. The reason his grade isn’t an F is that he is still contributing in smaller ways to Denver playing well, posting a positive plus/minus in three of the four games. He is moving the ball, trying on defense, and fighting on the glass. If the shot begins falling – which it should – Murray could have a much better report card next month.
Marquese Chriss: B- – One of the lottery’s rawest prospects, Chriss has been able to contribute more than fellow lottery pick Bender for the Suns. Rebounding was a weakness at Washington, but Chriss’ per-36 numbers would be 15 points and 8 rebounds, respectable numbers for a stretch-4.
Jakob Poeltl: C+ – Pressed into service with the injury to Jared Sullinger, Poeltl is rebounding well off the bench. Unfortunately, he has yet to contribute in any other meaningful way, averaging 2.5 points per contest and 1.1 combined assists, steals, and blocks. Toronto bench units containing Poeltl have played well though, a positive sign for his impact.
Class Standouts
Domantas Sabonis: B+ – Moved from the bench to the starting lineup even before Oklahoma City traded Ersan Ilyasova, Sabonis has shot well from the field and given effort and intensity every minute he is on the floor. Early on he is foul-happy and prone to poor positioning on defense, but he is attacking the boards and even showing some playmaking verve over the last few games.
Dario Saric: A- – One of three Philadelphia rookies receiving playing time, Saric has distinguished himself amidst the forward rotation, averaging more minutes than all but one rookie at 28.5 per game. Saric is likewise one of only two rookies scoring more than 10 points per game, a feat he is accomplishing by shooting 42.9 percent from the three-point line. He is rebounding well, moving the ball, and looks like he can become the player Philadelphia hopes for.
Malcolm Brogdon: A- – The only non-lottery pick on this list, Brogdon elicits mention because he has stepped in and immediately made the Milwaukee Bucks better. Only three rookies are averaging more points per game than Brogdon, and he is contributing healthy statistics across the board from the 2-guard position. In Milwaukee’s latest win over the Indiana Pacers, Brogdon played 24 minutes, dropping 12 points, five assists, three steals, and a block while finishing +17 for the contest.
Teacher’s Pet
Joel Embiid: A – From the start Joel Embiid grabbed the attention of the NBA world, and has refused to let it go. In the 76ers’ first game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Embiid dropped 20 points and 7 rebounds on a strong defensive front line. In his third game Embiid destroyed the new-look bigs on the Orlando Magic, putting up 18 points, 10 rebounds, and 4 blocks in just 25 minutes. His per-36 averages are 30 points, 11 rebounds, and 4.6 blocks. That’s only three games in…
Who else deserves a report card? Comment below and we’ll include them in the next edition. Or feel free to give them a grade yourself!
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