Wemby and Chet lead the league in blocks

[zimpy27]

What year of his contract is Chet in?

His 2nd year of his rookie contract

[MoneyTalks41890]

Obviously Wemby is something else, but Chet was pretty special this year.

[The Servant]

Do you mean it's the first time a rookie and second year player has lead the league in blocks?

Imagine you're in first grade of high school. You sat in on every class, but weren't officially enrolled, so you got to skip all the tests. You just sat, and learned by watching and listening for the entire year. Next year you officially enroll, redo the class and get straight A's on every test. Are you way smarter than the first year kid who got a B?

Gonna start telling people I played in the NBA because I've watched a lot of it over the years and same thing.

[LockoutSeason]

Several big men peak as shot blockers in their rookie year, like Shaq and Embiid. These guys need to keep their hunger even as their offensive games develop.

[Harry Garris]

Do you mean it's the first time a rookie and second year player has lead the league in blocks?

Imagine you're in first grade of high school. You sat in on every class, but weren't officially enrolled, so you got to skip all the tests. You just sat, and learned by watching and listening for the entire year. Next year you officially enroll, redo the class and get straight A's on every test. Are you way smarter than the first year kid who got a B?

This is the most ridiculous argument because the NBA defines what a rookie is. Your rookie year is not the first year you receive a NBA paycheck, it’s the first year you play in games.

The NBA gets to define what a rookie is because they’re the relevant governing authority. It’s like arguing against the US government that they don’t know how to run the government and you do. Your opinion in such cases does not matter because the other side gets to define the rules.

[The Master]

Sure sitting and watching the team learning plays, getting used to the nba travel helps, but it comes NO WHERE close to actually playing in real games.

It's true, but there's no coincidence that among ~top8 best rookie seasons in the XXI century - we had 'red-shirted' rookies like Simmons, Griffin, Embiid (when he was available) and now Holmgren.

'Holmgren has had really great rookie season' and 'Holmgren significantly benefitted from being a year in the NBA already' are not contradictory statements. It is also a fact that Holmgren is actually older than, let's say, Sengun and we had players in similar age as Holmgren in MVP convos (Davis, Durant, Doncic). It's weird to have this convo all over again.

Regardless, Holmgren will be really unlucky to compete for defensive accolades with Wemby to the end of his prime, because he's an extraordinary defender for his age, but may not have a shot to win a single DPOTY.

[Hoop Hunter]

I provided a very clear and logical argument. You provided no counter argument. So you basically agree with me, you're just too emotional to admit it.

Sitting out a season and referencing that isn’t a “very clear and logical argument”

You’re basing your whole argument not on facts, just based around what you actually think is “logical”

Chet didn’t play.

They both had a “proper” amazing rookie season with Wemby doing it better, what’s wrong with that?

He didn't play. My analogy covered that. It's the same as sitting in on a class but never taking the tests. I already covered this.

Can you not understand that none of your lame little analogies matter?

He had not ever played in a profession game before this season, so he is a rookie. It's not that hard.

Curry grow up in a NBA arena, around a NBA team, with a Dad that played in the NBA. Guess what, they let him have a rookie season anyway.

[Pachinko_]

its probably because only rookies still give a **** about defense in the RS

[zeebneeb]

Do you mean it's the first time a rookie and second year player has lead the league in blocks?

Imagine you're in first grade of high school. You sat in on every class, but weren't officially enrolled, so you got to skip all the tests. You just sat, and learned by watching and listening for the entire year. Next year you officially enroll, redo the class and get straight A's on every test. Are you way smarter than the first year kid who got a B?

He is a rookie. The league he plays for considers him a rookie. The matter is closed.

[TheNG]

Saying "rookie" doesn't mean anything without a context.
What is the experience if this rookie?
Playing in high school?
playing in college for 3 years?
Playing in college for 4 years?
Playing as a starter in a top Euroleague team?
Playing in some local Euro league?
One of the above + sitting 1 year in the NBA?
All of these are not comperable in any meaningful sense.

[tsherkin]

I'm not a big fan of treating Chet as a rookie, but stepping away from that whole conversation, he's a 17/8 guy in 29 mpg, passing well and smashing blocks. No matter what label you drop on him, his first year of play has been quite good. He's definitely a boon to OKC, and I don't think any Thunder fan really gives a crap if you call him a rookie or a second-year guy or whatever.

In the end, he's on the roster, he plays the games and he's very good.

[CIN-C-STAR]

Chet is a "second-year rookie".
Wemby is a "true rookie".
There now everyone is happy.

[FuShengTHEGreat]

Hakeems 3830 is getting broken

[SweaterBae]

What year of his contract is Chet in?

His 2nd year of his rookie contract

Food for thought.

[zimpy27]

What year of his contract is Chet in?

His 2nd year of his rookie contract

Food for thought.

We know this though, he's been injured and this is his a rookie season. Nothing about this questions adds more information or insight, it's just that you have one side that thinks you are a rookie when you sign your first contract and others that think you are a rookie when you first set foot on an NBA floor.

[SweaterBae]

His 2nd year of his rookie contract

Food for thought.

We know this though, he's been injured and this is his a rookie season. Nothing about this questions adds more information or insight, it's just that you have one side that thinks you are a rookie when you sign your first contract and others that think you are a rookie when you first set foot on an NBA floor.

I don't super care one way or the other, but it's his 2nd year in the NBA. What if he breaks his foot on the opening tip of opening day and plays 3 seconds and misses all of the rest of his rookie season? Is he a rookie this year because he played 3 seconds?

[zimpy27]

Food for thought.

We know this though, he's been injured and this is his a rookie season. Nothing about this questions adds more information or insight, it's just that you have one side that thinks you are a rookie when you sign your first contract and others that think you are a rookie when you first set foot on an NBA floor.

I don't super care one way or the other, but it's his 2nd year in the NBA. What if he breaks his foot on the opening tip of opening day and plays 3 seconds and misses all of the rest of his rookie season? Is he a rookie this year because he played 3 seconds?

If he recorded time on the court then it's his rookie season. That's the line that the NBA follows and the rest of us all understand.

[SweaterBae]

We know this though, he's been injured and this is his a rookie season. Nothing about this questions adds more information or insight, it's just that you have one side that thinks you are a rookie when you sign your first contract and others that think you are a rookie when you first set foot on an NBA floor.

I don't super care one way or the other, but it's his 2nd year in the NBA. What if he breaks his foot on the opening tip of opening day and plays 3 seconds and misses all of the rest of his rookie season? Is he a rookie this year because he played 3 seconds?

If he recorded time on the court then it's his rookie season. That's the line that the NBA follows and the rest of us all understand.

No need to condescend when clearly people disagree with what you accept.

The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Lanuage defines a rookie as A first-year player, especially in a professional sport. This is his second year.

[madskillz8]

Several big men peak as shot blockers in their rookie year, like Shaq and Embiid. These guys need to keep their hunger even as their offensive games develop.

Good point. One key thing here is differently from skills and experience, the height and the wingspan, which are two most important features when it comes to shot blocking, are already there as a rookie.

When you are 7footer - it means you're in 0.000038% of world's population. About 2800 in 7.5 billion.

On average, we humans have 1:1 height and wingspan ratio, and it is rare to have 4-5 inches longer wingspan than height.

These players are the ones who wins genetic lottery for being a shot blocker not only once but twice.


(height-wingspan)
Shaq 7'1 - 7'7 - (avg. 3.5 blocks as a rookie career high - career: 2.3)
Mark Eaton 7'4 - 7'6 (avg. 3.4 blocks as a rookie - career: 3.6)
Rik Smiths 7'4 - 7'6 (avg. 1.8 blocks as a rookie - career: 1.3)
Manute Bol 7'7 - 8'6 (avg. 5.0 blocks as a rookie career high - career: 3.3)
Embiid 7'1-7'5 (avg 2.5 blocks as a rookie career high - career 1.7)

and

Wemby 7'4 - 8'0 (avg. 3.6 as a rookie)
Holmgren 7'1 - 7'6 (avg. 2.3 as a rookie)

While their performances are impressive, considering their height & wingspan and the minutes they're getting, it is not really surprising they're averaging good block numbers. Also as LockoutSeason suggested, it is not like "if they doing that as a rookie, imagine five years from now on" when it comes to shot blocking. It might very well be on downward trajectory, especially for Wemby with an increased offensive responsibilities.

[Ssj16]

You should only count as a rookie if you've literally never played basketball before. If you've played basketball before, that's a huge advantage in your "rookie" season and taints it to be honest.

Lmao, I wish I could plus 100 this.