2014 Rookie Watch

MagicFan101 · Post #1 » by **MagicFan101** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:21 am

Since this draft was the subject of so much heated debate, perhaps a thread following the ups and downs of this class could be interesting?

MagicFan101 · Post #2 » by **MagicFan101** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:22 am

First games of the 2014-15 season:

#1) Andrew Wiggins: 6 pts, 2-5 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1-2 FT, 3 reb, 1 ast, 2stl
#2) Jabari Parker: 8 pts, 3-9 FG, 2-2 FT, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1stl
#4) Aaron Gordon: 11 pts, 5-8 FG, 1-2 3 pt, 3 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk
#5) Dante Exum: 5 pts, 2-3 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1 ast, 1 stl
#6) Marcus Smart: 10 pts, 3-7 FG, 1-4 3pt, 3-3 FT, 2 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl
#8) Nick Stauskas: in progress (playing well)
#10) Elfrid Payton: 4 pts, 2-8 FG, 5 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl

** Nerlens Noel: 6 pts, 2-11 FG, 2-6 FT, 10 reb, 3 blk
** Julius Randle: Broken leg :cry:

MagicFan101 · Post #3 » by **MagicFan101** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:23 am

It is hard to get a feel after just one game by just box scores and having only seen a few of these guys. No one blasted onto the scene but no one was terrible either (other than the sad Julius Randle injury).

Nemesis21 · Post #4 » by **Nemesis21** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:26 am

Good idea on this thread!

MagicFan101 · Post #5 » by **MagicFan101** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:30 am

Nemesis21 wrote:Good idea on this thread!

Thanks!

I found myself checking all the box scores for no reason other than to see how Wiggins, Parker, Exum and others did! I figured I might not be alone in this!

MagicFan101 · Post #6 » by **MagicFan101** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:32 am

Did anyone get to see one of the games with a premier rookie (other than our own)?

I watched the Rockets-Lakers but Randle where Randle went down, but did get a chance to watch Wiggins, Parker, Exum or Smart.

OrlandO · Post #7 » by **OrlandO** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:44 am

Exum only 10 minutes. This board would throw a fit if Vaughn did that to Payton or A. Gordon on day 1.

Jabari Parker dunk...

Smooth_E · Post #8 » by **Smooth_E** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:22 am

Me likey Aaron Gordon for R.O.Y.

Magic4champ · Post #9 » by **Magic4champ** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:29 am

Let's shock the world AG, rookie of the year! Go Magic!

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MagicStarwipe · Post #10 » by **MagicStarwipe** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 8:05 am

2014-15 Co-Rookies of the Year: Aaron Gordon & Elfrid Payton.

flying_mollusk · Post #11 » by **flying_mollusk** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:21 pm

Payton won't really look good until Frye comes back. He got to the hole a few times but those twin towers really adversely affected him.

I love Gordon's aggressiveness. He made some rookie mistakes, but he was clearly one of the most athletic players out there. Once he figures out how to harness that, he is going to be unstoppable.

Nyce_1 · Post #12 » by **Nyce_1** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:26 pm

Smart looked good last night. Playing behind Rondo will be God-sent for him. Not having the carry the load as a rookie will make things easier to digest mentally; as well as going up against backups instead of starters.

I'll also be watching Stauskas & Exum.

OrlDave · Post #13 » by **OrlDave** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:34 pm

MagicFan101 wrote:First games of the 2014-15 season:

#1) Andrew Wiggins: 6 pts, 2-5 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1-2 FT, 3 reb, 1 ast, 2stl
#2) Jabari Parker: 8 pts, 3-9 FG, 2-2 FT, 4 reb, 1 ast, 1stl
#4) Aaron Gordon: 11 pts, 5-8 FG, 1-2 3 pt, 3 reb, 1 stl, 1 blk
#5) Dante Exum: 5 pts, 2-3 FG, 1-1 3pt, 1 ast, 1 stl
#6) Marcus Smart: 10 pts, 3-7 FG, 1-4 3pt, 3-3 FT, 2 reb, 2 ast, 4 stl
#8) Nick Stauskas: in progress (playing well)
#10) Elfrid Payton: 4 pts, 2-8 FG, 5 reb, 7 ast, 1 stl

** Nerlens Noel: 6 pts, 2-11 FG, 2-6 FT, 10 reb, 3 blk
** Julius Randle: Broken leg

Who would have thought that Aaron would have the most points of the top tier rookies in their debut game? Yes I know minutes were limited ect ect, I just find it mildly amusing.

tooler · Post #14 » by **tooler** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 2:44 pm

I admit to peeking at the other rookies sometime, but this is going to make me neurotic.

Rather than per game numbers, I'm more curious about the minutes and roles the teams put each rookie in. I love that Payton started and they both played roughly 30 minutes. I'm glad we're focusing on growth this year rather than some hopeless scheme to try to make the playoffs at the expense of our future core.

MagicHolland · Post #15 » by **MagicHolland** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:07 pm

I'm expecting Jabari to be the ROY. He'll be in a situation to showcase himself and his game seems mature. Our rookies did well for their first game and I like it that they're both getting the minutes.

I like how Elfrid tries to set up others for easy baskets but he needs to realize that these passes become harder if he doesn't start taking some shots/layups himself. He passed up a few open looks vs NO and in some preseason games.

I'm a fan of Aaron, how many times have you seen an athletic guy like him focusing on D as much as Aaron does? Usually these players are way too much into the flashy stuff. He seems very mature for his age and he seems to have the mindset to put his talents to use. I'm excited about our rookies!

yoyojw17 · Post #16 » by **yoyojw17** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 3:44 pm

flying_mollusk wrote:Payton won't really look good until Frye comes back. He got to the hole a few times but those twin towers really adversely affected him.

I love Gordon's aggressiveness. He made some rookie mistakes, but he was clearly one of the most athletic players out there. Once he figures out how to harness that, he is going to be unstoppable.

My thoughts exactly. The guys game im based around getting in the paint and doing damage.... and it's tough to do that against not just one.... but two players that can hold down the paint.... especially one player that can block you even though he had to run from the 3point line to the paint... damn it Davis. But nothing 7 assist is pretty darn good. His confidence on the drive was shot midway through the 2nd quarter... and it became obvious he was always going to pass. Excited about tonight to see how he does when the defense in the front court is not as stifling.

Gordon did do a good job in my opinion. obviously shot the ball well. some of the mistakes were him trying to make something happen and anxiousness in his first game. but he looked solid!

p.s. People should not be sleeping on the Pelicans.... i can actually see them making noise in the west especially once their perimeter players get things rolling.

majortom71 · Post #17 » by **majortom71** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:23 pm

Houston's Greek rookie can't remember his name had an awesome game.
Dark Horse candidate of the year. He was drafted in 2012 but making NBA debut this year.

JBSouthpaw · Post #18 » by **JBSouthpaw** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:47 pm

tooler wrote:I admit to peeking at the other rookies sometime, but this is going to make me neurotic.

Rather than per game numbers, I'm more curious about the minutes and roles the teams put each rookie in. I love that Payton started and they both played roughly 30 minutes. I'm glad we're focusing on growth this year rather than some hopeless scheme to try to make the playoffs at the expense of our future core.

Ha! me too.
I've been going to all the other's box scores all pre-season.

tooler · Post #19 » by **tooler** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 4:58 pm

MagicHolland wrote:I like how Elfrid tries to set up others for easy baskets but he needs to realize that these passes become harder if he doesn't start taking some shots/layups himself. He passed up a few open looks vs NO and in some preseason games.

I've seen this mentioned multiple times. I really don't think we need to worry about this too much right now. Rondo took around 9 FGA per game in years 2 and 3 with roughly 30 mpg. Payton had 8 last night.

I realize it hurts spacing a little but the reason Rondo was so criticized was because Boston was deep in the playoffs where teams can gameplan against you over a 7 game series. We're at no risk of that.

I know we hang on every possession as die-hard fans. If you take a step back and look at the big picture, I don't think it's worth fretting about right now.

Joel Embust · Post #20 » by **Joel Embust** » Thu Oct 30, 2014 5:59 pm

tooler wrote:
MagicHolland wrote:I like how Elfrid tries to set up others for easy baskets but he needs to realize that these passes become harder if he doesn't start taking some shots/layups himself. He passed up a few open looks vs NO and in some preseason games.

I've seen this mentioned multiple times. I really don't think we need to worry about this too much right now. Rondo took around 9 FGA per game in years 2 and 3 with roughly 30 mpg. Payton had 8 last night.

I realize it hurts spacing a little but the reason Rondo was so criticized was because Boston was deep in the playoffs where teams can gameplan against you over a 7 game series. We're at no risk of that.

I know we hang on every possession as die-hard fans. If you take a step back and look at the big picture, I don't think it's worth fretting about right now.

Does Elfrid show potential in his shot and scoring? Does he have a chance to become a consistent shooter or is it clear that he'll be in the Rondo/Rubio tier of non scorers/shooters?

I know anything is possible at this point, but I'm curious how others feel about him becoming a threat from midrange/outside since it would do wonders for his overall game. He's got everything else needed to become a stud PG.