2024-25 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread (Pt. 4: Who is the ROY?)

[ValvPiti]

Buzelis isn’t going to win ROY because he was on such a tight leash but he has the highest potential out this draft clash. He’s also producing now.

28 points
9 rebounds
6 assists

What Buzelis is doing is quite impressive, but in terms of ceiling, I think I will go with at least Sarr and Castle ahead of him. Probably Castle, Sarr and Buz in that order

[Exp0sed]

Buzelis isn’t going to win ROY because he was on such a tight leash but he has the highest potential out this draft clash. He’s also producing now.

28 points
9 rebounds
6 assists

What Buzelis is doing is quite impressive, but in terms of ceiling, I think I will go with at least Sarr and Castle ahead of him. Probably Castle, Sarr and Buz in that order

in terms of "tools" etc. it's very reasonable to argue Sarr has a higher ceiling, not much has changed since he was picked 2nd on that front. however, very subjectively I just see that "it" factor in Buzelis, a level of knack for the game that Sarr will never possess, even with all the physical tools in the world. something about his game really stands out to me, even tho I admit I can't quite put my finger on it haha

Buzelis is def not ROTY but I also think he's got the highest potential out of this draft class. time will tell

[TheProfessor]

Buz looks the safest, and has the highest floors out of all the rookies, definitely see a strong high impact starter for years to come. Cannot be said about the others.

[Mr Puddles]

The more I see if Risacher the more I'm convinced he's this year's ROY.

[Ball4life32]

Another big game for Risacher. Wouldn’t trade anyone in this class for him.

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[PlatinumState]

Buzelis isn’t going to win ROY because he was on such a tight leash but he has the highest potential out this draft clash. He’s also producing now.

28 points
9 rebounds
6 assists

What Buzelis is doing is quite impressive, but in terms of ceiling, I think I will go with at least Sarr and Castle ahead of him. Probably Castle, Sarr and Buz in that order

in terms of "tools" etc. it's very reasonable to argue Sarr has a higher ceiling, not much has changed since he was picked 2nd on that front. however, very subjectively I just see that "it" factor in Buzelis, a level of knack for the game that Sarr will never possess, even with all the physical tools in the world. something about his game really stands out to me, even tho I admit I can't quite put my finger on it haha

Buzelis is def not ROTY but I also think he's got the highest potential out of this draft class. time will tell

Nah. Sarr, Risacher and Castle all have higher potential

[Jamaaliver]

Another big game for Risacher. Wouldn’t trade anyone in this class for him.

Bruh. He dropped 36 points on 72 TS% with only 2 dribbles!!!

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[Jamaaliver]

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[tsherkin]

Couple of decent choices as we move to the end of the season, which has been nice to see.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Couple of decent choices as we move to the end of the season, which has been nice to see.

It has been close, but it does appear the player who is easy to project as the best of the class (Risacher) is having the best games of all rookies and showing how good he can be is going to take a commanding lead.

[ReggiesKnicks]

Buz looks the safest, and has the highest floors out of all the rookies, definitely see a strong high impact starter for years to come. Cannot be said about the others.

Buz definitely doesn't have the highest floor--that's the good shooter, good movement, high IQ, lengthy wing in Atlanta who has a high floor.

[Jamaaliver]

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[jasonxxx102]

Hawks fan doesn't understand why his teams rookie isn't the favorite? Shocked!

The market has told you this race is over for a month now.

Too little too late from Risacher.

[tsherkin]

Hawks fan doesn't understand why his teams rookie isn't the favorite? Shocked!

The market has told you this race is over for a month now.

Too little too late from Risacher.

Is it, though? Castle's doing what, 14/3/4 on horridly inefficient (51.7% TS) play? Can't buy a 3, mediocre at the line, can't hit anything outside of 3 feet, below average at the rim?

He's been improving as the season has gone on, but he's nothing that special right at the moment. The rookie class isn't stunning, so he certainly has a case, and interesting potential beyond this season. But the idea that he's some foregone conclusion makes zero sense.

[kg01]

Hawks fan doesn't understand why his teams rookie isn't the favorite? Shocked!

The market has told you this race is over for a month now.

Too little too late from Risacher.

I mean, the tweets gave you some actual background and numbers to back up his assertion that what ZR is doing isn't recent.

[jasonxxx102]

Hawks fan doesn't understand why his teams rookie isn't the favorite? Shocked!

The market has told you this race is over for a month now.

Too little too late from Risacher.

Is it, though? Castle's doing what, 14/3/4 on horridly inefficient (51.7% TS) play? Can't buy a 3, mediocre at the line, can't hit anything outside of 3 feet, below average at the rim?

He's been improving as the season has gone on, but he's nothing that special right at the moment. The rookie class isn't stunning, so he certainly has a case, and interesting potential beyond this season. But the idea that he's some foregone conclusion makes zero sense.

The betting market is clear. If you think Risacher is in the conversation, you can get 7:1 and it would be amazing value.

It's a narrative award.

[tsherkin]

The betting market is clear. If you think Risacher is in the conversation, you can get 7:1 and it would be amazing value.

It's a narrative award.

All awards are narrative awards, frustratingly enough. And Castle may well win it. But if he does, then it's a little disappointing, because he isn't actually the best rookie.

[jasonxxx102]

The betting market is clear. If you think Risacher is in the conversation, you can get 7:1 and it would be amazing value.

It's a narrative award.

All awards are narrative awards, frustratingly enough. And Castle may well win it. But if he does, then it's a little disappointing, because he isn't actually the best rookie.

I mean, I don't think that Risacher is having a better season, though. They've both been bad.

Risacher still has worse impact metrics, worse defensive metrics... and it's not like he's that much more efficient. People are getting excited about a couple big box score games. Castle has been more consistent and Risacher was really bad for 3/4 of the season.

[tsherkin]

[]

I mean, I don't think that Risacher is having a better season, though. They've both been bad.

Risacher still has worse impact metrics, worse defensive metrics... and it's not like he's that much more efficient. People are getting excited about a couple big box score games. Castle has been more consistent and Risacher was really bad for 3/4 of the season.

Risacher has been more efficient on the season and has been killing it from the corners for quite some time now, actually. So there is some traction there.