The NBA rookies Thread

[Mecca]

In a small sample size, of course not. With that small sample size, if he showed an ability to hit a FT, I might throw him in there.

That being said, what's up with the magic to start. Is it Aaron Gordon being able to let loose. Them and Vuc being able to play well together? I haven't watched any of their games, but they'v been winning. I mean, that being said, the Pistons have been winning. I'm getting besides myself, which is to say, it's early in the season, let's all calm down.

Gordon didn't get his Max extension, which he didn't deserve.

So, he is trying to earn it.

 

[Shaqdaddy11]

Kuzma making a strong case for rookie 1st team

 

[Gman]

Kuzma making a strong case for rookie 1st team

His competition at the forward spot will include:

• Ben Simmons
• Jason Tatum
• Lauri Markkanen
• Josh Jackson
• among others who may or may not emerge to have decent seasons

I'd bet against Kuzma being 1st team out of that group... but he is having a nice start, albeit on a poor team.

 

[flyerhawk]

His competition at the forward spot will include:

• Ben Simmons
• Jason Tatum
• Lauri Markkanen
• Josh Jackson
• among others who may or may not emerge to have decent seasons

I'd bet against Kuzma being 1st team out of that group... but he is having a nice start, albeit on a poor team.

Simmons could go as either a forward or a guard depending on how they want to define him.

 

[ericd7633]

Simmons:

18.5 ppg, 9.6 rpg, 7.9 apg, 53%, PER 21.8

Ball:

10.4 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 7.0 apg, 34%, PER 10.2

 

[Gman]

Simmons could go as either a forward or a guard depending on how they want to define him.

Yeah, I hear ya... he's more a point forward than a point guard, though.

Similar to LeBron, in that regard.

 

[flyerhawk]

Malik Monk finally showed up last night. 10-17 and 5-8 from the arc. Scoring 18 in the final 5 minutes.

Oh and for those claiming that Ben Simmons is taking PF shots because of the distance he shoots from, this is an example of the type of shots Simmons takes in the paint...

 

[flyerhawk]

Yeah, I hear ya... he's more a point forward than a point guard, though.

Similar to LeBron, in that regard.

Agreed. He generally starts the game at the point but he moves around a lot. Of course he is a straight up 4 on defense.

 

[Mecca]

Simmons could go as either a forward or a guard depending on how they want to define him.

Agree.

Think he will be listed as a forward.

LeBron has been the de facto pg for years.

However, they always list him as a 3.

Draymond falls in that category too.

Early this Season, I think Bron, BG32, Jokic are all the primary playmakers for their teams.

#PositionlessBasketball

 

[Mecca]

Yeah, I hear ya... he's more a point forward than a point guard, though.

Similar to LeBron, in that regard.

This

 

[flyerhawk]

Agree.

Think he will be listed as a forward.

LeBron has been the de facto pg for years.

However, they always list him as a 3.

Draymond falls in that category too.

Early this Season, I think Bron, BG32, Jokic are all the primary playmakers for their teams.

#PositionlessBasketball

Yeah. You're probably right.

 

[Mecca]

Malik Monk finally showed up last night. 10-17 and 5-8 from the arc. Scoring 18 in the final 5 minutes.

Oh and for those claiming that Ben Simmons is taking PF shots because of the distance he shoots from, this is an example of the type of shots Simmons takes in the paint...

I think he has the physical tools to be Lebron-esqe.

He could score a ton if he was so inclined.

But, Like the Ball/Kidd comparisons, that's a lot to live up to.

LeBron is a top 5 player...of all time....imo

So, I'm gonna keep Ben in the Uber-Odom, or everything Webber should have been category.

I remember thinking Wiggins could be the next Kobe.

He's not.

Not even close...lol

But, he's still pretty good.

 

[mannyz]

It is real simple. This thread is titled: The NBA Rookie thread. The simple question is which rookie would you rather have on your team? From what I am seeing, Ben Simmons is the best of this group. I would not trade him for any or even any 2 of the other rookies in this discussion.

 

[knowyourenemy]

That's more of a stretch than my PF comment, which was only intended to show that Simmons takes most of his shots in the paint, which is more common for a PF (for which is typically sized). Westbrook attempted 583 3 pointers last year, a huge part of his game, as is his unhuman speed. Simmons is on pace to take 50 and is far from a speedster.

If you want to compare Simmons to someone, it's a limited Lebron without any perimeter game yet (217 3's attempted as a rookie).

I don't love the Westbrook-Simmons comparison but let's not act like Westbrook has always been a 3-point shooter. Westbrook attempted 129 3-pointers his rookie year, 116 his 2nd year, 151 his 3rd year. So, I think the Westbrook-Simmons comparison is only to demonstrate that really good point guards can play the way Simmons has played. 42% of Westbrook's shots in his rookie year and 2nd year came at the rim (and it could actually be more than that since this only factors in FGA and doesn't factor in shots where he was fouled and not credited with a FGA). 49% of Simmons' shots are coming at the rim. Higher than Westbrook but we're only 8 games in so who knows how that will change as the season goes along.

As far as speed, Simmons has tremendous speed and quickness, especially for his size. He isn't as fast as Westbrook, but who is?

 

[flyerhawk]

I remember thinking Wiggins could be the next Kobe.

He's not.

Not even close...lol

But, he's still pretty good.

The problem with being the next Kobe is that you need to develop his mind boggling shooting ability. And there is no way to know who will be able to do that.

 

[flyerhawk]

I don't love the Westbrook-Simmons comparison but let's not act like Westbrook has always been a 3-point shooter. Westbrook attempted 129 3-pointers his rookie year, 116 his 2nd year, 151 his 3rd year. So, I think the Westbrook-Simmons comparison is only to demonstrate that really good point guards can play the way Simmons has played. 42% of Westbrook's shots in his rookie year and 2nd year came at the rim (and it could actually be more than that since this only factors in FGA and doesn't factor in shots where he was fouled and not credited with a FGA). 49% of Simmons' shots are coming at the rim. Higher than Westbrook but we're only 8 games in so who knows how that will change as the season goes along.

As far as speed, Simmons has tremendous speed and quickness, especially for his size. He isn't as fast as Westbrook, but who is?

To be clear, I wasn't comparing Simmons to Westbrook. They have very different games. I brought up Westbrook and Iverson as guards that shoot in the paint. This was in response to Shopson trying to claim that Simmons was taking PF shots because he shoots in the paint. I could have just as easily used Lebron as the comparison for the type of shots Simmons takes.

 

[flyerhawk]

It is real simple. This thread is titled: The NBA Rookie thread. The simple question is which rookie would you rather have on your team? From what I am seeing, Ben Simmons is the best of this group. I would not trade him for any or even any 2 of the other rookies in this discussion.

He looks really good so far. But he will need to extend his outside shot to become a truly exceptional player. He has been working on his mid-range jumper of late and that is encouraging.

 

[mannyz]

He looks really good so far. But he will need to extend his outside shot to become a truly exceptional player. He has been working on his mid-range jumper of late and that is encouraging.

He was making some pretty nice shots from 15 ft. It looks like he does not want to shoot the 3. Hopefully, he will develop that shot.

 

[knowyourenemy]

Percentage of field goal attempts at the rim in their first two seasons:

Simmons: 49% through 8 games, ??%
Westbrook: 42%, 42%
Wall: 36%, 41%
Giannis: 48%, 55%
Wade: 58%, 52%
Bledsoe: 34%, 64%
Iguodala: 50%, 48%
Parker: 44%, 37%
Rose: 43%, 34%
Lawson: 51%, 46%
Teague: 39%, 39%
Butler: 35%, 46%
Oladipo: 39%, 42%
Schroder: 31%, 47%

 

[Mecca]

He looks really good so far. But he will need to extend his outside shot to become a truly exceptional player. He has been working on his mid-range jumper of late and that is encouraging.

Greek Freak or Simmons with a consistent jumper would be frightening.