Honestly, this class has not been as good as the previous ones, but this doesn’t mean it has been a weak class. These rookies have been exciting, and they do share an important similarity with the two that came before; it’s a two-man race. Just like Simmons vs Mitchell (2017-18) and Trae vs Luka (2018-19), this year has been dominated by Zion vs Ja even though Zion has only played in 19 games. However, where the 2019-20 class suffers is in its supporting class if you will. Outside of Ja and Zion barely any other rookies have made an impact this season. It’s understandable as, you know, they’re rookies after all. In a few years I hope to be wrong about that statement as I hope every player matures to become great in their own right. As Lebron and KD aren’t getting any younger, we need an influx of superstars to help carry this league for the next decade.
The All-rookie team is
composed of two five-man line-ups: a first and second team. The players each
receive 2 points for each first team vote and 1 point for each second team
vote. The top five players with the highest point total make the first team and
the next five making the second team.
My pick
for Rookie of the Year, and for me that’s easy, is Ja Morant. I know Zion, in his limited sample
size, has been amazing and has lived up to the hype. However, (god-forbid) if the season ended today, we, under
no circumstance should ever give a guy who played 19 games the ROTY. But enough
about him, Ja Morant has been just sensational for the Grizzles this season: 59
games, 17.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists, 49.1% FG%, 36.7% 3P%, 77% FT
playing 30 minutes a game. He has become the face of Memphis overnight and is
the main reason why they were contending for the playoffs instead of being a
lottery team like many (included myself) predicted. He’s been exciting to watch
on the court and has given the fans in Memphis hope that they glory days aren’t
behind them but lie in their future.
Okay so here’s my NBA
All-rookie 1st team:
Guard |
Ja Morant |
Forward |
Zion Williamson |
Guard |
Kendrick Nunn |
Forward |
Eric Pascall |
Forward |
Brandon Clarke |
Zion
Williamson – Took a little longer
than we expected to see if he lived up to the hype and boy, did he ever live up
to the hype. In just 19 games he became the 2nd most talked about
player in the league (behind Lebron of course) and for good reason. He’s a bull
when he’s in the post and the most astonishing thing I’ve seen from him is his offensive
rebounding. His hustle is impressive, and he can easily be the best player in
this draft class if he stays healthy. Needs to work on: Free throws.
Stats: 19 games, 23.6 points 6.8 rebounds, 2.2
assists, 29.7 minutes per game, 58.9% FG, 46.2% 3P, 64.5% FT.
Kendrick
Nunn – Going undrafted in the
2018 Draft, he spent a season with the Santa Cruz Warriors, and he impressed
enough to be signed by the Heat. It certainly paid off. With a chip on his shoulder, Nunn has become a key part of
this tough & young Miami team with his impressive three-point shooting and
has even shown the ability to create some plays for his teammates. A true
underdog story, Dunn has put the world on notice and should be a key piece of
Miami in the future. Needs to work on: Defence.
Stats – 62 games, 15.6 points 2.7 rebounds, 3.4
assists, 29.8 minutes per game, 44.8% FG, 36.2% 3P, 83.7% FT.
Eric
Paschall – He has
single-handedly been the biggest bright spot of the Golden State Warriors’
season (not a big feat honestly). The 41st pick in this year’s draft
seems to be a sleeper and has impressed thanks to him getting adequate time to
play because of the injuries the Warriors had to their roster. His moves in the
post have been
impressive and have shown glimpses of an outside shoot. He has the potential to be a small ball 5
and has an excellent teacher for that in a great defensive player and Mr.
Triple Single himself, Draymond Green. Needs to work on: Three-point
shooting.
Stats – 60 games, 14 points, 4.6 rebounds, 2.1
assists, 27.6 minutes per game, 49.7% FG, 28.7% 3P, 77.4% FT.
Brandon
Clarke – Let’s take this time
to give the Memphis Grizzles’ front office a big round of applause for getting
two incredible rookies. As much we can rave about Ja Morant we cannot forget to
mention the stud Brendon Clarke has been. He’s been scoring with scary
efficiency and there’s still hopes that he can translate his defensive prowess
from college to the pros. He a perfect partner in crime for Ja to lead the
Grizzles into the future. Needs to work on: Developing
a three-point shot.
Stats – 50 games, 12 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists,
21.7 minutes per game, 62.3% FG, 40.4% 3P, 78.5% FT.
Now, here’s my NBA
All-rookie 2nd team:
Forward |
Rui Hachimura |
Forward |
RJ Barrett |
Guard |
Tyler Herro |
Forward |
P.J. Washington |
Guard |
Terrance Davis |
Rui
Hachimura – Missed a
couple of games after a December 16th groin injury forced him to get
surgery and honestly, he would’ve played 10 more games I’m pretty sure I
would’ve had him in 1st team. He’s been exciting to watch in the
Wizard’s “offense only” game plan. It would be great to see him next season
when John Wall comes back and this team reverts to normal. Needs to work on:
Developing a three-point shot.
Stats – 41 games, 13.4 points, 6 rebounds, 1.7 assists,
29.7 minutes per game, 47.8% FG, 27.4% 3P, 82.9% FT.
RJ Barrett
– RJ’s rookie season could’ve been way better,
but this is no fault of his own (cough cough Dolan). But poorly constructed
roster aside, he has shown
promise. However, he still
tries to do too much and attempt bad shots with a decent amount of time left on
the shot clock. Hopefully next season with a proper roster around him (don’t
count on that.) he can improve on this
solid outing Needs to work on: Playmaking
Stats – 56 games, 14.3 points, 5 rebounds, 2.6 assists,
30.4 minutes per game, 40.2% FG, 32% 3P, 61.4% FT.
Tyler Herro
– Now it’s time to talk about my personal
favourite rookie this season, the Boy Wonder himself. Just look at this guy! He exudes confidence and, to put it simply, he’s got swag. He's like
Kyle Kuzma but WAY less cringey. He's a great shooter whether it’s a catch and shoot or a pull up jumper, he can
knock it down. He still must polish up other areas of his game, but he should
be a solid 6th man coming off Miami’s bench. Needs to work on – Driving
to the basket.
Stats – 47 games, 12.9 points, 4 rebounds, 1.9 assists,
27.2 minutes per game, 41.4%, FG 39.1% 3P, 83.5% FT.
P.J.
Washington – PJ has put
together a very solid rookie season, which is very rare for the Hornets, as
they tend to draft extremely poorly as their last decent rookie being Cody
Zeller in 2013. He has shown his promise with his catch and shoot ability and
his decent versatility on defence. The Hornets have begun rebuilding this
season and it looks like Washington could play a very important role in the
process. Needs to work on – Drawing more fouls in the paint.
Stats – 58 games, 12.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, 2.1
assists, 30.3 minutes per game, 45.5% FG, 37.4% 3P, 64.7% FT.
Terrance
Davis – Be proud of the fact
that my bias isn’t that bad, and I didn’t put him in 1st team. But do I think he’s the 10th best
rookie in the league? Hell yeah. The Raptors have once again picked up an
undrafted player who is playing quality minutes and posting great numbers in
our rotation. He has great efficiency & shot selection maybe because he did
a lot of his development in college so there isn’t much growing pain. In his
limited minutes he has produced more (in my opinion) than most rookies have in
20+ minutes. Needs to work on – Perimeter defence.
Stats – 64 games, 7.7 points, 3.4 rebounds, 1.7
assists, 17 minutes per game, 46.3% FG, 39.6% 3P, 86.5% FT.
Honourable
Mentions
Coby White, De’Andre
Hunter, Darius Garland, Kevin Porter, Cam Reddish and Jordan McLaughlin
March 30th
2020
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