2025-26 NBA Rookie Discussion Thread

[Dan Z]

Its Topić, so it is pronounced To-pitch. C never sounds like K in any of these eastern euro languages, it is either ch (like in chilli) if it is letters Č or ć, or it is pronounced ''ts'', if its c witout markings. For example Zubac or Divac has c with no markings, thats why you say Zoo-bats and Di-vats, but if it Jokić, Dončić, Stojakovič, Topić etc etc, their names end with that itch sounds. and for exmaple Vučević has both č and ć, it is pronounces voo-cheh-vitch, not Vusevik or vesevich like Bill Simmons think it does, it is Voochevich, thats why we call him Vooch...

Č is pronounced "ch", as you said, while ć is actually closer to "tj". But I'm nitpicking here since, in my experience, most "Yugoslavs" will have no issue with "ch" being used for both by foreigners.

Obviously an excellent post by you. Much appreciated. You provided key details and made it a quick and informative read.

Thanks man, I said it in the past that I myself do not know the difference between č and ć, Serbs explained it to me in the past, but it still sounds the same to me when I say it. In Serbian, letter will sound the same every time without any exception, those are the guys who would never understand Spelling bee, so the fact those are different letters means there is clearly a difference there, but I believe it is still minor enough, to foreigner like me it sounds the same, IDK.

How has Topic looked so far in Summer League? I haven't watched him.

[lambchop]

Č is pronounced "ch", as you said, while ć is actually closer to "tj". But I'm nitpicking here since, in my experience, most "Yugoslavs" will have no issue with "ch" being used for both by foreigners.

Obviously an excellent post by you. Much appreciated. You provided key details and made it a quick and informative read.

Thanks man, I said it in the past that I myself do not know the difference between č and ć, Serbs explained it to me in the past, but it still sounds the same to me when I say it. In Serbian, letter will sound the same every time without any exception, those are the guys who would never understand Spelling bee, so the fact those are different letters means there is clearly a difference there, but I believe it is still minor enough, to foreigner like me it sounds the same, IDK.

How has Topic looked so far in Summer League? I haven't watched him.

His court vision and decision making, even in transition, looks great. High IQ, feel for the game is very advanced for someone his age. His shooting has been subpar though. Personally, I doubt he'll ever be a threat shooting off the dribble, just because it's something he has never done before, not even at the youth level.

However, he seems like the type of guy who just needs to shoot well enough to keep the defense honest and then he'll be able to contribute consistently.

[oldncreaky]

CMB's defense from yesterday was pretty ridiculous.

I think CMB cracks Toronto's rotation, but I doubt he cracks the starting line up, so I really doubt he'll rack up enough counting stats to be in the running for ROY. Also, I can't remember the last time ROY went to the best defender in a class . . .

[God Squad]

CMB's defense from yesterday was pretty ridiculous.

I think CMB cracks Toronto's rotation, but I doubt he cracks the starting line up, so I really doubt he'll rack up enough counting stats to be in the running for ROY. Also, I can't remember the last time ROY went to the best defender in a class . . .

Yeah, his defense is as advertised. IMO he'll run with the bench squad for the season. For me, it's his hands and anticipation that have impressed me most that game.

[Handlez]

Is being on a good team going to hurt Cooper's chance at being ROY?

Maybe a chucker on a bad team wins the award.

Would be a shame.

[Mr Puddles]

Is being on a good team going to hurt Cooper's chance at being ROY?

Maybe a chucker on a bad team wins the award.

Would be a shame.

Well, he's on the Mavericks so I guess we'll never know.

[bisme37]

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[cupcakesnake]

CMB's defense from yesterday was pretty ridiculous.

I think CMB cracks Toronto's rotation, but I doubt he cracks the starting line up, so I really doubt he'll rack up enough counting stats to be in the running for ROY. Also, I can't remember the last time ROY went to the best defender in a class . . .

I'm curious if he can play many minutes when Barnes and/or Poeltl are on the floor.
He's one of my favorite players in the draft class, but I wish he'd gone to a team that needed his defense, and wasn't already built around some shakey shooting. Even if Barnes' shooting bounces back, he still going to be primarily a rim threat, and Jakob Poeltl is a non-shooting pure rim threat, so there's no way to play CMB with both of them.

So there's a bit of a ceiling on his minutes if that's the case, but I think he can basically be the backup center. The Raps are built to play smaller lineups off the bench, with guys like CMB, Jamison Battle, Mamu, and Jonathan Mogbo being the "big" in versatile lineups with longer forwards like Ingram and Barnes.

Poeltl is important on this team, but never plays more than 29mpg, so other lineups are going to be switch, weirdo "project 6'9" lineups. Compared to the other options, CMB's defense and passing could be the most useful in these lineups. I think you can play him in starter-heavy non-Poeltl lineups. I like the idea of him and Gradey Dick coming off the bench early for RJ and Poeltl.

[oldncreaky]

CMB's defense from yesterday was pretty ridiculous.

I think CMB cracks Toronto's rotation, but I doubt he cracks the starting line up, so I really doubt he'll rack up enough counting stats to be in the running for ROY. Also, I can't remember the last time ROY went to the best defender in a class . . .

I'm curious if he can play many minutes when Barnes and/or Poeltl are on the floor.
He's one of my favorite players in the draft class, but I wish he'd gone to a team that needed his defense, and wasn't already built around some shakey shooting. Even if Barnes' shooting bounces back, he still going to be primarily a rim threat, and Jakob Poeltl is a non-shooting pure rim threat, so there's no way to play CMB with both of them.

So there's a bit of a ceiling on his minutes if that's the case, but I think he can basically be the backup center. The Raps are built to play smaller lineups off the bench, with guys like CMB, Jamison Battle, Mamu, and Jonathan Mogbo being the "big" in versatile lineups with longer forwards like Ingram and Barnes.

Poeltl is important on this team, but never plays more than 29mpg, so other lineups are going to be switch, weirdo "project 6'9" lineups. Compared to the other options, CMB's defense and passing could be the most useful in these lineups. I think you can play him in starter-heavy non-Poeltl lineups. I like the idea of him and Gradey Dick coming off the bench early for RJ and Poeltl.

You're clearly ignoring that the Raptors can unlock another level by leveraging Poeltl's career 3p% of 43% (just ignore the tiny volume! )

In all seriousness, I agree that the Raptors aren't an ideal landing spot for CMB because of the shooting weaknesses of their other front-line players. For it to work long-term, either Scottie and/or CMB will need to be a much better shooter within a couple of seasons.

For this season, however, I don't really think it matters, because whatever the Raptors do in the regular season (.500? over? under? way under?) they have a 1st round ceiling. I think their front line is just far too small to survive in the playoffs, I don't think they have a legit #1 option, and I'm not particularly sold on Toronto's PG rotation either. In that context, who CMB shares his first 1500-2000 NBA minutes with doesn't seem a big worry.

Back on topic, hopefully CMB establishes himself as a difference making defender, and if he can make a jump in his shooting become a rotation or even starting player, but I just don't see any way he'll have the counting stats to be high in ROY rankings.

[cupcakesnake]

I think CMB cracks Toronto's rotation, but I doubt he cracks the starting line up, so I really doubt he'll rack up enough counting stats to be in the running for ROY. Also, I can't remember the last time ROY went to the best defender in a class . . .

I'm curious if he can play many minutes when Barnes and/or Poeltl are on the floor.
He's one of my favorite players in the draft class, but I wish he'd gone to a team that needed his defense, and wasn't already built around some shakey shooting. Even if Barnes' shooting bounces back, he still going to be primarily a rim threat, and Jakob Poeltl is a non-shooting pure rim threat, so there's no way to play CMB with both of them.

So there's a bit of a ceiling on his minutes if that's the case, but I think he can basically be the backup center. The Raps are built to play smaller lineups off the bench, with guys like CMB, Jamison Battle, Mamu, and Jonathan Mogbo being the "big" in versatile lineups with longer forwards like Ingram and Barnes.

Poeltl is important on this team, but never plays more than 29mpg, so other lineups are going to be switch, weirdo "project 6'9" lineups. Compared to the other options, CMB's defense and passing could be the most useful in these lineups. I think you can play him in starter-heavy non-Poeltl lineups. I like the idea of him and Gradey Dick coming off the bench early for RJ and Poeltl.

You're clearly ignoring that the Raptors can unlock another level by leveraging Poeltl's career 3p% of 43% (just ignore the tiny volume! )

In all seriousness, I agree that the Raptors aren't an ideal landing spot for CMB because of the shooting weaknesses of their other front-line players. For it to work long-term, either Scottie and/or CMB will need to be a much better shooter within a couple of seasons.

For this season, however, I don't really think it matters, because whatever the Raptors do in the regular season (.500? over? under? way under?) they have a 1st round ceiling. I think their front line is just far too small to survive in the playoffs, I don't think they have a legit #1 option, and I'm not particularly sold on Toronto's PG rotation either. In that context, who CMB shares his first 1500-2000 NBA minutes with doesn't seem a big worry.

Back on topic, hopefully CMB establishes himself as a difference making defender, and if he can make a jump in his shooting become a rotation or even starting player, but I just don't see any way he'll have the counting stats to be high in ROY rankings.

Raps are built around a bunch of players I could see going either way. Scottie takes another step forward on offense and becomes a consistent all-star level guy? Sounds plausible. Scottie struggles to be anything special as a scorer, and is stuck in the wrong role as a player depended on for scoring? Just as plausible. Quickley stays healthy and reminds us he's a super dynamic guard who can contribute in multiple ways on both ends? I can see it. Quickley is meh, and we wonder if he's really a starter in this league? Easy to picture as well. Ingram and RJ are both talents, but are both a step away from being guys we all agree impact winning. It's funny but Poeltl is the only one I'm like: yep I know that he's bringing value (as an elite 3-point shooter, of course).

They're young guys also feel like big question marks. I can see Grady and CMB becoming starter level guys, but it's not a certainty. Ochai Agbaji keeps refusing to die. Ja'Kobe Walter, who knows?

I think after this season, we'll know more about the Raptors. They deserve skepticism, but I feel we're working with incomplete information. After this season, we'll either be more cemented in thinking this team is directionless, or we'll be optimistic about something on this roster. After Philidelphia, I think they're one of the more high-variance teams going into the season. Could see anywhere from 25-46 wins!

[Chuck Everett]

So I loved Jamir Watkins after his first year playing for Florida State. Thought he was easily a 2nd rounder (in 2024) and he went back to school for some odd reason and didn't transfer for more NIL money. He must have really wanted to play for coach Hamilton.

Anyway, this guy's steal numbers in summer league are kind of hard to deny. I can see why the Wizards are beginning to cut people. If they don't give him a serious look after the kind of defense he's shown, he'll get scooped up by another squad with the quickness.

[Handlez]

Eat **** Knueppel haters.

He will change the culture.

Winner.

[basketballRob]

I like the Magic's rookies this season. I can't remember the Magic having a shooter like Jase before. 16.5 ppg in just 23.4 mpg in the summer league. 56/50/91.

Penda is a do it all player who's like a rock at 242 lbs. 11/8/3 in the summer league. 52/30/33. With 1.7 spg and 0.7 bpg. Penda handles the ball like Paolo.

Jase is 19, and Penda is 20, so they will still improve.

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[Rust_Cohle]

Carter Bryant’s defensive potential is amazing

[rate_]

Is being on a good team going to hurt Cooper's chance at being ROY?

Maybe a chucker on a bad team wins the award.

Would be a shame.

No, the hype will keep him there

[MMyhre]

Thomas Sorber 10 pts 15 rebs 5 blks 60 % fg DPOY All Defense 1st and a ring.

[AFM]

Watch on YouTube

[Chokic]

I thought carter bryant should have been a top 8 pick.

Joan Beringer and Hansen Yang looks promising as well.

[brackdan70]

I like the Magic's rookies this season. I can't remember the Magic having a shooter like Jase before. 16.5 ppg in just 23.4 mpg in the summer league. 56/50/91.

Penda is a do it all player who's like a rock at 242 lbs. 11/8/3 in the summer league. 52/30/33. With 1.7 spg and 0.7 bpg. Penda handles the ball like Paolo.

Jase is 19, and Penda is 20, so they will still improve.

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Yeah I liked Penda a lot in draft. Bummed a bit that the Celtics traded him to the Magic.

[76ciology]

Not often mentioned, but Dylan Harper has been underwhelming. His jumper looks flat, his handle with the off hand is shaky, and he lacks the burst to consistently beat defenders in the halfcourt.

I also think he needs to play his high usage style, which he likely won’t get with the Spurs given their “developmental runway” approach. That said, he clearly has the combination of size and skill to be a special talent at the guard position, but he’ll need the right opportunity, roster set-up and continued development to reach that ceiling.