RealGM

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:27 pm**

ESPN - Andrew Wiggins is good, but Elfrid Payton's contributions may be more important

The Minnesota Timberwolves (29th) and the Orlando Magic (27th) are both near the bottom of the Basketball Power Index.

Neither has a shot at the playoffs, and both have leading candidates for Rookie of the Year. No. 1 overall pick Andrew Wiggins has put together a nice rookie season for the Timberwolves and from many accounts, is the likely winner of the ROY award. Magic point guard Elfrid Payton, the No. 10 pick in the draft, is however the most deserving, and it isn't really close.

Wiggins and Payton play different positions, so direct comparisons are not fair, but we can take a look at each player's performance, put it in context and then assess which player had the more outstanding rookie season. Wiggins came into the league as a player who would be able to score and play solid defense. In terms of statistics, we can look at scoring in terms of volume (points scored per 36 minutes) and efficiency (true shooting percentage), and we can look at defensive activity in terms of defensive rebounds (defensive rebound percentage) and steals (steals per 36 minutes).

I don't think he'll win it, but I definitely do think he's in the conversation.

My guess is that Wiggins will win it (hype + PPG,) but there are probably a few in the mix. I would think Elfrid, Mirotic and Noel are the others that warrant consideration.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:28 pm**

Elf deserves it

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 5:36 pm**

Wiggins will win it, and he should. But Elf is definitely a keeper. If he can develop any reliable jump shot, especially a 3, then he will become someone a team has to game plan against

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:25 pm**

Payton should win it, but I don't see him getting it. Too much hype with Wiggins in the media.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 6:32 pm**

I don't know that he'll win it, but he should get consideration. He's had some really bright spots this season, especially recently.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:12 pm**

I would like to just say how much I have loved watching EP this year. Love it. I turn on every Magic game to watch him and I'm not afraid to admit it. Personally, I'd probably put him 3rd after Mirotic and Wiggins for ROY but he is, without question, my favorite player in the NBA to watch and I can't wait to see him in blue pinstripes for the foreseeable future.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:23 pm**

IMO he's having the best year when everything is taken into consideration.

He will get 3rd though just due to the nature of the beast.

Wiggins....PPG
Mirotic....team is in playoffs and doing well

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:30 pm**

i would be so hype if he won it.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 7:43 pm**

Won't win it, but it's cool that first Oladipo and now Payton were top-3 contenders for ROY the past 2 seasons.

If Payton started off the season the way he's been playing the past 2 months he'd be a much stronger contender.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:30 pm**

His scoring is too poor for him to win it

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:33 pm**

tiderulz wrote:Wiggins will win it, and he should. But Elf is definitely a keeper. If he can develop any reliable jump shot, especially a 3, then he will become someone a team has to game plan against

FUlly agree.

And in the end, this is a bit like Carter-Williams over Oladipo. Yes he had a better season, but which player would you rather have? Last season to this season, Orlando drafted the second best rookie with a huge upside beyond the freshman hype.

..

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:41 pm**

He won't win.

But am I the only one who finds Wiggins a little overrated? I mean he is good at what he is so far, good athletic defender garbage man type player. But he isn't a go to guy by any stretch. Obviously he could be, he has shown flashes, but people on the GB say he could be a top 10 player as of NEXT YEAR.

I mean if AG and Payton played 38 mpg and jacked all the shots they wanted to up, I'm pretty sure the ROY race would look much different.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 8:58 pm**

No way. This is Wiggins' award as soon as Jabari went down. I've been thrilled with Elf, but let's be realistic. Payton will likely be the runner up. Maybe Noel, but considering how bad Philly is even compared to us, I think Elf is No. 2 with his recent play.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:10 pm**

It won't happen but we know what we have in him and he will get a chance to have many honors before it's over. I'm glad that a few people at least recognize what a gem he is and are giving him some shine.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:14 pm**

Magic#1 wrote:No way. This is Wiggins' award as soon as Jabari went down. I've been thrilled with Elf, but let's be realistic. Payton will likely be the runner up. Maybe Noel, but considering how bad Philly is even compared to us, I think Elf is No. 2 with his recent play.

they're not that much worse than us tbh

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:32 pm**

Wishful thinking.

Wiggins, Noel, even Mirotic will unfortunately get more attention than Elfrid.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:01 pm**

AdamTheGreek wrote:Wishful thinking.

Wiggins, Noel, even Mirotic will unfortunately get more attention than Elfrid.

This, and rightfully so

Mirotic mainy due because he's on national TV

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:13 pm**

we got BPA:)

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:14 pm**

You guys really underrate Wiggins. He has been on a different level all year compared with other rookies. The award is his and rightfully so.

Elf has been awesome, will be a star PG for sure and deserves a 2nd place consideration alongside Noel and Mirotic.
In such a strong rookie class it's a huge achievement already for someone drafted outside the top 10.

Posted: **Fri Mar 20, 2015 10:18 pm**

I don't think he's underrated. He is still probably going to win it but he started underwhelming, had a huge hot stretch and now is dropping down again. Really good young player but he isn't doing anything super crazy out there.

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