The first quarter of the 2018-19 NBA season has been very bizarre. Presumed title contenders have gotten off to rocky starts (Warriors, Celtics, Rockets), perennial doormats have made unexpected improvements (Magic, Kings, Hornets) and a Clippers squad that was supposedly in rebuilding mode is sitting at the top of the Western Conference. While this unexpected inaugural chapter of the season has been dominating the headlines and narratives across the league, some members of this year's draft class have quietly started to solidify themselves as the next crop of potential future stars. Here are the five guys I've pegged as early Rookie of the Year candidates.
Note: All stats are through November 29th
Just missed the cut: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, point guard (Clippers), Collin Sexton, point guard (Cavaliers), Marvin Bagley III, power forward (Kings)
Deandre Ayton, center (Suns) (21 games, 16.4 PTS, 61.5 FG%, 78.6 FT%, 10.4 REB, 2.5 AST, 0.9 BLK)
Seemingly every player the Suns have drafted in the lottery (Dragan Bender, Marquise Chriss, Josh Jackson) since they took offensive centerpiece Devin Booker back in 2015 has been a bust. This year's top overall pick appears on track to buck that trend for this long-suffering franchise. Ayton's strong post presence and soft shooting touch from 15 feet and in has opened up more outside looks for his teammates. He's also brought back the concepts of rebounding and exhibiting effort on defense to Phoenix, which is a huge plus for a team that previously crashed the glass or contested a shot roughly once a month.
Wendell Carter Jr., power forward/center (Bulls) (22 games, 10.8 PTS, 45.7 FG%, 82.3 FT%, 7.1 REB, 1.6 BLK, 0.6 STL)
Carter's stats aren't going to drop a lot of jaws. However, he's given this defensively-challenged Bulls team a legit rim-protector who can also put up some points and make free throws when called upon. If sophomore Lauri Markkanen can maintain his explosive scoring ways when he returns to the floor in the next week or so, the Bulls might have themselves a really nice young frontcourt to help jumpstart their rebuild.
Luka Doncic, point guard/shooting guard (Mavericks) (19 games, 19.1 PTS, 45.7 FG%, 39.8 3P%, 79.5 FT%, 6.5 REB, 4.2 AST, 1.0 STL)
Every once in a while a rookie bursts onto the scene and just blows you away with their talent right away. Doncic is one of those guys. His playmaking ability/killer instinct is special and that combo of unreal polish and poise for a 19-year old has allowed him to serve as a much-needed lightning rod for a Mavericks squad that has been light on excitement since the great Dirk Nowitzki fell out of his prime a few years back.
Jaren Jackson Jr., power forward (Grizzlies) (20 games, 12.7 PTS, 51.3 FG%, 73.3 FT%, 34.9 3P%, 4.5 REB, 2.1 BLK, 1.0 STL)
While the return of Mike Conley after missing nearly all of last season with a foot injury has been huge, Jackson Jr. has also played a crucial role in the Grizzlies surprising 12-8 start. He's brought a level of defensive prowess and reliable secondary scoring to the starting lineup that simply wasn't there during their nightmare 2017-18 campaign.
Trae Young, point guard (Hawks) (22 games, 15.9 PTS, 38.3 FG%, 25.4 3P%, 83.3 FT% 7.6 AST, 0.7 STL)
If Collin Sexton didn't have such a poor October, he probably would've bumped Young off this list. That being said, the Oklahoma product has flashed enough as a facilitator (his 7.6 assists per game average is tied with De'Aron Fox and Jeff Teague for 7th most in the league) for this youth-driven Hawks squad to make up for his inefficiency and sometimes comical recklessness as a shooter.
Current Leader: Luka Doncic
Runner-up: Deandre Ayton
Dark Horse to Watch: Jaren Jackson Jr.
No comments:
Post a Comment