Rookie Ladder 14-15

Kevin Willis · Post #1 » by **Kevin Willis** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 2:38 pm

Wanted to create a thread looking at the progress of this year's rookies. It is already looks like it has the potential to be a special class.

Wiggins and Lavine look really good. Lavine better than I thought. Hairston looks good. Nurjic is doing well too.

Who is impressing / disappointing you so far?

Feb. 11 Update

1. Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last week: 1)

The Wolves can't shovel minutes his way fast enough. Wiggins is on an early path to increase his playing time for the fourth consecutive full month, having gone from 29.9 in November all the way to 39.8 in February as halftime of the month approaches. He is at 34.4 overall, about four minutes more than any other rookie with more than 15 appearances.
2. Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers (2)

Reaching the All-Star break with only four missed games shows progress report for someone who missed the end of his college career and all of what would have been his rookie campaign because of a torn cartilage in the left knee. The causes of the 2014-15 absences: two games with a sprained left ankle, one with a right hip pointer and one with an upper respiratory infection. None because of the knee. When the 76ers talk about being encouraged for the future, that's one of the reasons.
3. Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic (3)

His great run of taking care of the ball is history, replaced by 37 assists against 19 turnovers the last seven games in what would be a bad number even without the contrast of his efficient January. The encouraging news is that Payton is shooting 47.2 percent so far in February, compared to 42.2 overall. for the season, a good direction even without the hint of much range.
4. K.J. McDaniels, Philadelphia 76ers (4)

He is still second in the class in blocks -- again, as a 6-foot-6 wing -- but McDaniels suddenly has a declining role. He is down to 19.8 minutes in the five games of February, after no less than 25 any of the previous three full months, and the encouraging early signs that three-point range could make him more than a defensive specialist have been replaced by 18.2 percent behind the arc in the same five games. McDaniels needs to find stable ground again.
5. Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls (5)

Mike Dunleavy's return Tuesday after 19 games on the sideline with an ankle injury could become the latest hit for Mirotic, once Dunleavy regains his conditioning and rhythm after the All-Star break. Mirotic has mostly played power forward this season, but the Bulls have given him occasional runs at small forward, including recently in hopes he would break out of what has become a lengthy slump. Even with Dunleavy out, Mirotic was all the way down to 9.3 minutes his last three appearances.
6. Jusuf Nurkic, Denver Nuggets (6)

A center, no matter how inexperienced, simply should not be going one of 10, three of nine and zero of seven from the field in a recent five-game stretch, when almost all the shots were within the lane. This is becoming a big problem, with Nurkic at 44.5 percent. But he continues to rebound -- seven or more boards in four of six outings despite the limited role of 22.3 minutes per -- and block shots. If Mirotic continues to slide and Nurkic continues to produce as a loud counter argument to his shooting problems, Nurkic probably breaks into the top five soon after the All-Star break.
7. Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics (7)

It's not time to sound the alarm... yet. But Smart, who climbed the charts in January largely on the basis of answering pre-Draft doubts whether he could make shots from the perimeter, has plummeted to 29.3 percent the last six games. That includes 24 percent on 3-pointers, after reaching 42.4 in January. The Celtics continue to invest big minutes, playing Smart an average of 34.7 minutes per since Jan. 30.
8. Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves (8)

Not only is LaVine back from the sprained ankle that cost him two full games and part of another, but the Tuesday deal that sent Mo Williams to the Charlotte Hornets clears a path for LaVine to get more minutes as the unquestioned backup point guard. Williams had been playing 28 minutes a game and LaVine 21.8. While the numbers are skewed by both having started in place of injured Ricky Rubio, it is an indication of the opportunity that awaits LaVine after the All-Star break. He was already third among rookies in assists heading into Tuesday and fifth in scoring.
9. Jerami Grant, Philadelphia 76ers (10)

His 3-point shooting is quietly becoming a nice complement to the success story that leads with defense. Grant is at 38.7 percent from behind the arc on almost two attempts per game, not exactly living in Kyle Korver's world, but a growing body of work for the second-round pick and a continuation of his work at Syracuse. Grant was 0-for-5 as a freshman, 6-for-15 as a sophomore and is 24-for-62 so far as a rookie.
10. Tarik Black, Los Angeles Lakers (9)

Down, but not out. Clearly motivated by potentially being off the Ladder for the first time since Nov. 12, Black responded with six rebounds in 23 minutes last Friday at Orlando and seven boards in 26 minutes Sunday in Cleveland. Rebounding is close to the only area he makes an impact. If the production drops again, he could too.
Dropped out: none.

Waylon Mercy · Post #2 » by **Waylon Mercy** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:21 pm

Julis Randle looked really good to me in the Lakers first preseason game. Like everybody else
I'm really liking Lavine. Elfrid Payton looks like he's gonna be a stat sheet stuffer and someone
people should look at in their Real GM Fantasy leagues. Stauskas looks like the real deal as well.

I'm really curious to see how Rodney Hood plays he's a guy I really wanted during the draft and
was pissed we passed on him.

Disappointing wise I haven't seen him play but Dante Exum didn't play much the other day and
put up lack luster numbers. Trey Burke played starter minutes and put up big numbers.
Exum was kind of crappy in Summer League wouldn't surprise me if he busts or takes awhile to
develop.

And how bad did Marcus Smarts shot look like last night?

bboyskinnylegs · Post #3 » by **bboyskinnylegs** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 3:31 pm

Mirotic

BrunoSkull · Post #4 » by **BrunoSkull** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:39 pm

Stauskas has amazing guard skills, so good maybe he can start from day 1

Waive salmons · Post #5 » by **Waive salmons** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:58 pm

Smart looks bad he is passing the ball well but his shot looks worse then rubios he airballed like 3 open 3s

Young_Buc · Post #6 » by **Young_Buc** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 5:15 pm

Smart and Parker are going to have to adjust their games
If Wiggins ever has the superstar mentality he will be one
Stauskas suprised the hell out of me. Looks more like Ray Allen than Bradley Beal does in terms of quickness and stroke.

LifeBaller11 · Post #7 » by **LifeBaller11** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 6:46 pm

Kevin Willis wrote:Wanted to create a thread looking at the progress of this year's rookies. It is already looks like it has the potential to be a special class.

Wiggins and Lavine look really good. Lavine better than I thought. Hairston looks good. Nurjic is doing well too.

Who is impressing / disappointing you so far?

I'm glad to hear Lavine and Hairston are doing well so far. I took those 2 guys in my Dynasty Sim league, now I need Bruno to up his game and I may hit on all 3 of my picks and making my rebuild accelerate quicker then I hope.

m83588333 · Post #8 » by **m83588333** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:04 pm

Young_Buc wrote:Smart and Parker are going to have to adjust their games
If Wiggins ever has the superstar mentality he will be one
Stauskas suprised the hell out of me. Looks more like Ray Allen than Bradley Beal does in terms of quickness and stroke.

Stauskas reminds me or Curry or Klay. He's going to be good.

godkingleonidas · Post #9 » by **godkingleonidas** » Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:35 pm

DeAndre Daniels vs. The NZ Breakers

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tzx-8ejT6FU[/youtube]

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVCIh-INlZg[/youtube]

Kevin Willis · Post #10 » by **Kevin Willis** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:29 am

I have to admit I'm looking at the rookies we were looking at in our pick range and seeing how they are doing.

Jarnell Stokes - ok
Kyle Anderson - started today for San Antonio
Ennis - ??
Jordan Adams - ??

Even McDaniels with our second round pick. Our two pick were DD2 and Caboclo and let's see how that pans out. We won't know for sure for a few years but still.

C_Money · Post #11 » by **C_Money** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:34 am

I'm on the TJ Warren bandwagon. Not sure why Phoenix drafted him though since the Morris brothers are similar players.

Bankai · Post #12 » by **Bankai** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:37 am

Really liking Nik Stauskas and Elfrid Payton, think these guys can surprise.

Kevin Willis · Post #13 » by **Kevin Willis** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 3:35 am

Jabari Parker is not impressive. I don't know but he seems to be a much lower prospect than Giannis even Giannis should be much less polished.

Kabookalu · Post #14 » by **Kabookalu** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 5:56 am

Julius Randle can be an all star if he can acquire a face up jumper. There's no stopping him when he's going to the hoop.

godkingleonidas · Post #15 » by **godkingleonidas** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 10:17 am

A lot of "fans" don't seem to be interested in our rookies. Perhaps it's that "covet thy neighbour's (rookie)" LOL. :lol:

#biblical #tencommandments

OAKLEY_2 · Post #16 » by **OAKLEY_2** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 12:37 pm

Bebe is on the shelf. Bruno is very much still a kid and Daniels is going through some minor surgery adversity far from home. Biggest knock I can see on Daniels is a rail thin frame but something tells me he knows better than anyone how short a playing career is and while on the farm this experience and others like it should put him in good stead for a fairly high level playing career and post playing career. He looks the part of leader and locker room presence. Has a respectable game as well if he can ever break into our line-up.

360windmill · Post #17 » by **360windmill** » Sun Oct 12, 2014 2:12 pm

Watch out for Jordan Adams to emerge as a spark plug for the grizzlies when they a wing to score. He has a Harden -like offensive game and potential plus he is a theif on defense..

Kevin Willis · Post #18 » by **Kevin Willis** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:12 pm

I think the biggest overall to Chicago will be from their rookies more than Pau and Derrick Rose.

Mirotic and McDermott are just players. Smart players. They will open up the court for Pau (post play) and Rose (open lanes). Their IQ is going to improve as well because McDermott is noted as a scorer. A skilled scorer that can play all over the floor. Mirotic is closer to the post but is also skilled. McDermott is an average defender but he has Taj, Pau and Noah behind him. Chicago SHOULD be first in the East because Cleveland is not going to gel right off the block.

Kevin Willis · Post #19 » by **Kevin Willis** » Tue Oct 14, 2014 3:14 pm

Oh and Payton is going to be stat stuffer. A freakin' steal.

Kevin Willis · Post #20 » by **Kevin Willis** » Thu Oct 16, 2014 6:59 pm

Andrew Wiggins

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imDN8cCPEm8[/youtube]

Jusuf Nurkic - against Chicago's front line

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdJLdgZpD_8[/youtube]

Doug McDermott

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQZ-ujyWUWQ[/youtube]

Doug McDermott and Kyle Korver

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMs5p2sUXW0[/youtube]

Jabari Parker

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JvoeColQk84[/youtube]