2016-17 Rookie Watch thread

[Slava]

Brogdon easily playing the best ball out of anyone in this draft class so far. The other thing is, I'm not sure there is more than say 8-9 guys that have a higher potential than him. What a freaking steal.

Brogdon is a good example of why you should play more than one year of college basketball (unless you're a rare transcendent superstar talent of course).

He's very composed, he's strong, and he's smart as hell. You can just tell he's been well coached, he understands the game. He's been a joy to watch this season.

Wes Johnson played 4 years of college ball. That didn't help his dumbass get any smarter. Brogdon is a smart player by virtue and not just because some coach taught him longer.

[Alex DeLarge]

Not sure you can sit there and make an argument for Murray by saying that his three point percentage is dragged down by his start when you're arguing Murray v Hield.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using RealGM mobile app

I'm not relying on stats as the basis for my Murray fandom. I'm basing it on the flashes of brilliance he has demonstrated.

As I've said, Hield might be good in the future - and I hope that he is - but the ceiling doesn't look to be anywhere near as high.

You are all over the board on this. Buddy isn't so great because he started bad......Murray is so much better cause he started bad......look at the stats......don't look at the stats......well......you just have to see them to believe it.

Here is their player comparison so far. Stats are almost identical at this point:
http://bkref.com/pi/shareit/KoZvg

Biggest difference is Buddy was playing very sporadic minutes early on. 3 minutes here, 5 minutes there. He never really had a chance to put anything together.

Since December, Buddy has been a starter, playing against NBA starters. His per 36 numbers in December have been:

16.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 42.5% FG, 47.5% 3PT, 80% FT

Not bad for his second full month as an NBA player. Not bad for a guy who supposedly somehow has a ceiling of a decent shooter off the bench???

I was simply highlighting for those who dismissed Murray based on his stats that his numbers were artificially low due to a very poor start.

Hield has certainly looked better over the past few weeks, but his improvement in no way alters my belief that Murray will probably end up being the better player.

[Jon1798]

I'm not relying on stats as the basis for my Murray fandom. I'm basing it on the flashes of brilliance he has demonstrated.

As I've said, Hield might be good in the future - and I hope that he is - but the ceiling doesn't look to be anywhere near as high.

You are all over the board on this. Buddy isn't so great because he started bad......Murray is so much better cause he started bad......look at the stats......don't look at the stats......well......you just have to see them to believe it.

Here is their player comparison so far. Stats are almost identical at this point:
http://bkref.com/pi/shareit/KoZvg

Biggest difference is Buddy was playing very sporadic minutes early on. 3 minutes here, 5 minutes there. He never really had a chance to put anything together.

Since December, Buddy has been a starter, playing against NBA starters. His per 36 numbers in December have been:

16.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 42.5% FG, 47.5% 3PT, 80% FT

Not bad for his second full month as an NBA player. Not bad for a guy who supposedly somehow has a ceiling of a decent shooter off the bench???

I was simply highlighting for those who dismissed Murray based on his stats that his numbers were artificially low due to a very poor start.

Hield has certainly looked better over the past few weeks, but his improvement in no way alters my belief that Murray will probably end up being the better player.

Nothing wrong with that. I can't stand that people feel the need to compare the two in the first place. I've said many times, I think both will be very very good.

[Zombiesonics]

Brogdon easily playing the best ball out of anyone in this draft class so far. The other thing is, I'm not sure there is more than say 8-9 guys that have a higher potential than him. What a freaking steal.

Brogdon is a good example of why you should play more than one year of college basketball (unless you're a rare transcendent superstar talent of course).

He's very composed, he's strong, and he's smart as hell. You can just tell he's been well coached, he understands the game. He's been a joy to watch this season.

Wes Johnson played 4 years of college ball. That didn't help his dumbass get any smarter. Brogdon is a smart player by virtue and not just because some coach taught him longer.

not really the same situation, I mean, Wes skipped around ended up at a school where he did dominate but was playing within a system. Star level player/top 5 pick that ended up a bust, maybe too high of expectations? 4 years helped him get that college recognition and probably got him into the nba imo. still think you should look for these 3-4 college guys late lotto to 25.

[Slava]

Brogdon is a good example of why you should play more than one year of college basketball (unless you're a rare transcendent superstar talent of course).

He's very composed, he's strong, and he's smart as hell. You can just tell he's been well coached, he understands the game. He's been a joy to watch this season.

Wes Johnson played 4 years of college ball. That didn't help his dumbass get any smarter. Brogdon is a smart player by virtue and not just because some coach taught him longer.

not really the same situation, I mean, Wes skipped around ended up at a school where he did dominate but was playing within a system. Star level player/top 5 pick that ended up a bust, maybe too high of expectations? 4 years helped him get that college recognition and probably got him into the nba imo. still think you should look for these 3-4 college guys late lotto to 25.

Sure, the players that stay in college longer are usually the ones that do not have one elite talent like shooting or the sheer size and athleticism to entice professional scouts.

If they stick around that long and make it to the NBA, they are usually late bloomers who have some gift, like high IQ in case of dudes like Brogdon, Nance Jr, Draymond etc or high competitiveness and hustle like the Harrison twins or Tyler Hansbrough. I'd certainly pick those in the late first/early 2nd rounds.

Just attributing high IQ to college coaching is however not accurate.

[pelifan]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

[R U Legit]

'Member when Buddy was literally the WOAT?

[Patches Perry]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

I love that, posting averages for the month after 1 game.

[pelifan]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

I love that, posting averages for the month after 1 game.

that was sort of the joke

[Patches Perry]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

I love that, posting averages for the month after 1 game.

that was sort of the joke

I figured.

[GimmeDat]

Valentine had some of his first meaningful minutes tonight and had 9 points and 3 assists in the first half before rolling his ankle in the 2nd half.

[blazeyo]

Kay Felder looks confident and delivers. Improves every game.

[GimmeDat]

Kay Felder looks confident and delivers. Improves every game.

How he went 55th is beyond me. So many weird selections last draft. I thought he'd be a borderline 1st rounder.

[blazeyo]

Kay Felder looks confident and delivers. Improves every game.

How he went 55th is beyond me. So many weird selections last draft. I thought he'd be a borderline 1st rounder.

He could have been a star if he was 6'.
He could still end up somewhere close to IT , he has it all on offense but you can't ignore his height. He is the smallest guy in the league , but he is starting to find ways to finish inside. He isn't as crafty or has the same finesse IT has but he started using his strong body to shield the defender and he absorbs contact really well.
His midrange is just money and it is a joy watching him play... It is always nice to root for the underdog.
There is this guy Jawun Evans that is going to be the steal of the 2017 draft, listed at 5'11 and i feel like he is underrated because of his height aswell.
This draft class is so bas so far... Felder looks like a top 5, lol.
Guy is a midget though, he looks shorter than his listed height, definitely.

[GimmeDat]

Kay Felder looks confident and delivers. Improves every game.

How he went 55th is beyond me. So many weird selections last draft. I thought he'd be a borderline 1st rounder.

He could have been a star if he was 6'.
He could still end up somewhere close to IT , he has it all on offense but you can't ignore his height. He is the smallest guy in the league , but he is starting to find ways to finish inside. He isn't as crafty or has the same finesse IT has but he started using his strong body to shield the defender and he absorbs contact really well.
His midrange is just money and it is a joy watching him play... It is always nice to root for the underdog.
There is this guy Jawun Evans that is going to be the steal of the 2017 draft, listed at 5'11 and i feel like he is underrated because of his height aswell.
This draft class is so bas so far... Felder looks like a top 5, lol.
Guy is a midget though, he looks shorter than his listed height, definitely.

I really do like Juwan Evans as well, he's a great college player, but I do think he lacks the elite physical tools to help him compete in the NBA, like Felder and others do.

[blazeyo]

How he went 55th is beyond me. So many weird selections last draft. I thought he'd be a borderline 1st rounder.

He could have been a star if he was 6'.
He could still end up somewhere close to IT , he has it all on offense but you can't ignore his height. He is the smallest guy in the league , but he is starting to find ways to finish inside. He isn't as crafty or has the same finesse IT has but he started using his strong body to shield the defender and he absorbs contact really well.
His midrange is just money and it is a joy watching him play... It is always nice to root for the underdog.
There is this guy Jawun Evans that is going to be the steal of the 2017 draft, listed at 5'11 and i feel like he is underrated because of his height aswell.
This draft class is so bas so far... Felder looks like a top 5, lol.
Guy is a midget though, he looks shorter than his listed height, definitely.

I really do like Juwan Evans as well, he's a great college player, but I do think he lacks the elite physical tools to help him compete in the NBA, like Felder and others do.

Yeah, Felder has an advantage over Evans that translates to the NBA and that is breaking the defense, he is just very explosive and it works on any level.
Evans just has a feel for the game, he is composed, has very good dribble, good passer.. I think he can definitely make it. His dribbling and shooting form reminds me so much of CP3..

Do you think Felder can be a positive contributor in the playoffs eventually? do you think he will eventually be able to play against GSW?
I think he will always have trouble defending against good shooters.. he just can't contest well enough.

Anyways, what od oyou think of Valentine? are you a believer?

[Smirk]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

Whoa whoa whoa.

You mean to tell me that a rookie that is not instantly a superstar can get better???

I don't know what to do. Internet forums told me that isn't possible.

[Jon1798]

Buddy Hield

October: 4.7 ppg 25% shooting 0% threes
November: 7.4 ppg 37% shooting 27% threes
December: 10.6 ppg 44% shooting 48% threes
January: 20 ppg 47% shooting 67% threes
February: ????????
March: ?????????????
April: Rookie of the Year

Whoa whoa whoa.

You mean to tell me that a rookie that is not instantly a superstar can get better???

I don't know what to do. Internet forums told me that isn't possible.

Forget forums when even realgm allows writeups like this:

"The Pelicans have squandered the early part of his prime with a number of win-now moves that haven’t worked out due to injuries and a general misidentification of talent. Buddy Hield as a high lottery pick has been a continuation of that tendency as it was previously with Austin Rivers."

What a joke.

[gaspar]

Watch on YouTube

[R U Legit]

Buddy and Embiid were the rookies of the month

Not bad for Buddy Bust, am I right?