Rookie of the Year Watch

[HMFFL]

This draft will produce some elite talent. I'm looking forward to watching the players evolve.

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[Jamaaliver]

NBA Rookie of the Year Race: Can Anyone Catch L**a D***ic?

The 2019 NBA Rookie of the Year race has a leader but no lock to win. The gap is closing between the top two candidates, who've begun to separate themselves from the pack.

We're also starting to see other first-round picks get comfortable and string together productive weeks.


4. Trae Young | PG | Atlanta Hawks



A 39.4 percent field-goal mark, 4.0 turnovers per game and the worst defensive plus-minus of any NBA point guard cast a cloud over Trae Young's productive rookie season. But the positives still outweigh the negatives, particularly given the rookie's weak supporting cast, which forces Young to often try making something out of nothing.

He's still averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 assists as the Atlanta Hawks' primary ball-handler. And he's starting to find a shooting rhythm, having now made 20 of his last 40 three-point attempts over an 11-game stretch.

Inside the arc, Young continues to put pressure on defenses, driving 16.6 times per game, the fifth-most among NBA players. He's dishing out 2.2 assists on those drives as well, with only James Harden averaging more.

Young has had trouble finishing in the restricted area (50.0 percent), and he's struggled all season converting on pull-ups (29.9 percent) despite attempting 6.0 per game.

His Rookie of the Year case is hurt by all the inefficiency, but it won't be fair to fully judge Young until the Hawks' young talent improves.



10. Kevin Huerter | SG | Atlanta Hawks



For the No. 10 spot on the rookie ladder, Kevin Huerter edges out Landry Shamet and Allonzo Trier by checking more boxes with his playmaking and team defense.

Hitting 1.5 threes per game at a 37.7 percent clip, Huerter's NBA calling card is shooting. But the 2.4 assists per game also highlight his ability to put the ball down and pass on the move, enhancing the threat he poses out of spot-ups to closing defenders.

At only 190 pounds, Huerter is making just 43.4 percent of his two-point attempts, as he's having trouble converting scoring chances off the dribble on pull-ups (32.2 percent) and drives (38.9 percent).

But the Atlanta Hawks' offense has been 5.8 points per 100 possessions better when Huerter is on the floor, and it's defense is giving up 5.1 more points when he's on the bench.

Bleacher Report

[Jamaaliver]

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L**a D***ic, Trae Young at top, with less heralded role players moving into spotlight

There are a lot of rookies this season that you may not know, but you probably should

Over the first half of the season we've been captivated and mesmerized by standout rookies like Luka Doncic, Deandre Ayton, Trae Young and Jaren Jackson Jr., but this class goes much deeper than the big names. So it's fitting that this week we see a number of lesser-known rookies speckling the rankings, namely Landry Shamet, Frank Jackson, Rodions Kurucs and Kevin Huerter. Shamet and Huerter have been consistent pretty much all season.


2. Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | PG

Last week: 3

Stats this week: 17.0 points, 5.8 assists, 2.8 rebounds, 2.0 steals

The momentum keeps building for Young, who seems to be coming out of a month-long shooting slump. He went 3-for-3 from deep in a win over the Heat on Sunday before struggling a bit against the Raptors and Nets. The turnovers have been a slight issue for the Oklahoma product, but Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce recently told our Jack Maloney that he's not concerned with the high number of turnovers given Young's significant usage rate -- the assist-to-turnover ratio is what he looks at. Young has a 1.82 assist-to-turnover ratio so far this season, which puts him at 17th in the NBA among players with a usage rate of 25 or higher, ahead of James Harden, Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.


3. Wendell Carter Jr. | Chicago Bulls | PF

Last week: 5

Stats this week: 14.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.3 steals, 0.7 blocks

After a bizarre benching that saw Carter play only 13 minutes in a loss to the Magic last week, he was rewarded with 43 minutes in a close loss to the Pacers in the very next game. His best performance of the week, however, came against the Blazers on Wednesday, when he scored 22 points on 7-for-9 shooting while pulling down six rebounds. Carter has now scored in double-figures in six of his last nine games and appears to be out of whatever funk he was in for most of December.


10. Kevin Huerter | Atlanta Hawks | SG

Last week: 7

Stats this week: 11.3 points, 6.7 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.0 steals

Huerter didn't have his best shooting week (he missed one of the Hawks' four games due to a sore back), but he continued to prove that he's much more than a gunner. He picked up his first career double-double in Wednesday's loss to the Nets, with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and dished out a career-high seven assists in Sunday's win over the Heat. Huerter has been lights out from downtown for most of the season, and the fact that he's been able to affect the game in other ways even when his shot isn't falling is just icing on the cake for Atlanta.

[Jamaaliver]

[graymule]

Hawks have 2 of the top ten + Spellman, who is just recovered from injury. Not bad, not bad at all.

[Jamaaliver]

Huerter is undoubtedly well on his way to a Rising Star invitation and All Rookie Team selection.

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[graymule]

Spellman is back and playing his way into some consideration. Huerter should be climbing the ladder
and Trae is hanging tough behind Mr. Everything, who is leading Dallas to the promised land.

WOW! Three Hawk rookies, starting now!

GO ATL HAWKS !!

[reazun]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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[hawkmanreturns]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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True. But seriously, The gap between the top 5 Rookies isn't as wide as some of the talking heads make it seem for ROY. Trae, Ayton, and even Jackson can go on a hot streak during the second half of the season. If Trae continues on his current trajectory, things may get a little crowded at the top by the end of the season.

[jayu70]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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True. But seriously, The gap between the top 5 Rookies isn't as wide as some of the talking heads make it seem for ROY. Trae, Ayton, and even Jackson can go on a hot streak during the second half of the season. If Trae continues on his current trajectory, things may get a little crowded at the top by the end of the season.

The 19% shooting from 3 in November, which is what most non-Hawks fan focus on, did Trae in since it affects his overall percentages.
He's improving every game and his effort and focus on defense gives me hope.

[Buzzard]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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Cuban is not big on the draft or player development. He is more like a mad scientist; and he will push the envelope trying to get stars/vets around Doncic.

Trae will be all-rookie and I don't really care if Doncic or Ayton get ROY.

[personanongrata]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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Trading DSJ is the right call though. He cant play off the ball, and although he is a tremendous athlete his BBIQ just isn't that high. He is also the immature, selfish type that will complain about Luka having the ball.

[Jamaaliver]

NBA Rookie Power Rankings: L**a D****c continues All-Star play; Trae Young, Kevin Huerter lead surprising Hawks

Doncic has a legit case to play in the All-Star Game, while Young and Huerter look to be turning the corner

For Luka Doncic, who tops this week's rankings yet again, the NBA game never seemed very fast. For others, like young Hawks guards Trae Young and Kevin Huerter, it's been a much more gradual process. So when you see a week like Young and Huerter had, leading Atlanta to two huge wins over the Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder, it's hard not to take notice. Both players had perhaps their best weeks yet as pros, and it translated directly to wins.


2. Trae Young | Atlanta Hawks | PG

Last week: 2

Stats this week: 22.7 points, 6.7 assists, 6.7 rebounds

Don't look now, but the Atlanta Hawks might be ... decent? They managed to win two of three brutal matchups this week against the 76ers, Bucks and Thunder, and Young was a huge reason why. The diminutive point guard shot 44 percent from the field this week, including 36 percent from the 3-point line (actually, well beyond it). His turnovers were high, but Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce said he's willing to live with those, given Young's tremendous usage rate (26.1, second only to Doncic). More encouraging for the Hawks is that Young has averaged 7.8 3-point attempts over his past four games, after averaging just 3.2 per game over his previous 10 -- a sign that whatever confidence issues may have arisen from his prolonged shooting slump could be behind him.


4. Kevin Huerter | Atlanta Hawks | SG

Last week: 10

Stats this week: 19.0 points, 3.3 assists, 2.7 rebounds, 1.0 steals

As impressive as Trae Young has been, Huerter has been just as important to the Hawks' recent mini-run of success. The 6-7 sharpshooter shot a scorching 12-for-21 (57 percent) from beyond the arc in three games this week, while averaging three assists per game. As expected, Huerter has been good this season making 3s in spot-up and hand-off situations, but this week he displayed a strong ability to hit 3s off the dribble as well, utilizing Steph Curry-esque pull-ups and James Harden-esque step-backs.

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[EazyRoc]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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Trading DSJ is the right call though. He cant play off the ball, and although he is a tremendous athlete his BBIQ just isn't that high. He is also the immature, selfish type that will complain about Luka having the ball.

Trading him is the absolute wrong call, but the Mavericks have no other play. You will never get much value from shopping him. He’s not happy so you can’t keep him. We should trade them Jeremy Lin straight up (j/k) and it’d probably be one of the better offers they’re getting. DSJ’s stock is as low as it’s ever been and likely ever will be. He’s a ball dominant lead guard that’s now being asked to play off the ball for a ball dominant power forward. They just aren’t a good fit together. I actually thought they would be a good fit together. Maybe DSJ isn’t being patient. I still think he could be a very good player in the league.


P.S. I actually just thought about it again and actually like the idea of DSJ as a backup. Probably a bit too expensive but I like it..

[EazyRoc]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

Sent from my SM-G930P using RealGM mobile app

True. But seriously, The gap between the top 5 Rookies isn't as wide as some of the talking heads make it seem for ROY. Trae, Ayton, and even Jackson can go on a hot streak during the second half of the season. If Trae continues on his current trajectory, things may get a little crowded at the top by the end of the season.

Trae has a near month long stretch averaging 30 ppg on good efficiency before the season is out. I feel it coming..

Ayton is my dark horse and likely wins RoY. He’s avging a very good 17/11 on 60% shooting. He beats out Trae, Luka, and JJJ for RoY.

[graymule]

Moving on up! #10 moves up to #4. Hawks have #2 & #4 in the rookie rating race. WOW! No one else has three
starting rookies and are winning in the NBA.

How exciting to wait for the weekly ratings. When Spellman has enough floor time, he just might hit the top ten.
There are some who expect our players to hit "the rookie wall" and go down hill. Perhaps this road trip upcoming.
We can't go on like this. Either something happens or we win some games. That low goal of 18 is just ahead!

We can! And, we will ! Wait for it. It's coming. We're too good to be this bad.

GO HAWKS !!

[Jamaaliver]

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[kg01]

Someone on Twitter said , Trae Young makes his teammates better, Luka Doncic makes his teammates trade bait...lol

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Aw man, that's good. Almost worth the lambasting that'll come from the Luka-cites after posting it on the GB.

[Jamaaliver]

NBA Daily: Projecting The 2018-19 All-Rookie Teams

With half of the season behind us, these are the ten first-year standouts making a push for the NBA All-Rookie squads


First Team:

• Luka Dončić, Dallas Mavericks
• Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
• Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
• Kevin Knox, New York Knicks
• Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
  
  Dončić is an incredible player, obviously, so, until very recently, any time Trae Young was mentioned, even in passing, it came back to the Hawks’ decision to make that draft day swap. Perhaps unfair, it left Young with little coverage outside of status as a footnote. If those days weren’t far behind already, they definitely will be now. In his own right, Young has blossomed as of late for Atlanta, even notching 16 or more points in all but two games since Christmas.
  
  Furthermore, Young’s 7.2 assists lead all rookies by a large margin, including Dončić’s second-best mark of 5.1. Actually, it’s even better than that as Young’s impressive rate currently lands him in the top ten league-wide, only bested by perennial All-Stars and the breakout stud of the season, De’Aaron Fox. Efficiency has not always been Young’s best friend, but he’s adjusted to the stronger defenses and professional schemes as well as one might hope for such a high-usage college standout. Naturally, Young has not reached the massive summits that he did during his single season at Oklahoma — no 48-point explosions just yet — but it feels like the best is still to come here.

Basketball Insiders

Spoiler:

Second Team:

• Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers
• Rodions Kurucs, Brooklyn Nets
• Marvin Bagley III, Sacramento Kings
• Mikal Bridges, Phoenix Suns
• Kevin Huerter, Atlanta Hawks
  
  Young isn’t the only talented rookie in Atlanta and Kevin Huerter has been an excellent Robin to the point guard’s Batman. Huerter wasn’t even the starter until late November but he’s proving why he soared up draft boards during combine season. In the last month, the Hawks have turned the reins over to their wonderful class of prospects and, in turn, have won more games in the last 30 days (eight) than they did in the first 60 (six). Undoubtedly, Huerter’s microwavable scoring has been a large reason why. Known as a certifiable bucket-getter, Huerter still contributes offensively beyond just points, even registering three or more assists on 22 instances in 2018-19 already. Whether or not he turns into the next Klay Thompson, Huerter absolutely fits into the mold of the modern NBA — he’ll be on the Second Team come springtime at the very least.

[Jamaaliver]

Trae Young's Big Night a Reminder the Battle vs. Luka Is Far from Over

Young and Luka Doncic will be intricately linked throughout their careers considering the Dallas Mavericks traded the former and a protected 2019 first-round draft pick to the Hawks for the latter.

Young appeared on ESPN's The Jump on Monday and discussed the deal, saying, "I think at the end of the day it worked out for both teams. That's how I look at it. I mean, Luka's doing really well. I feel like I'm doing really well as well."

Despite Young's comments, Doncic has clearly been the better player to this point. He is the runaway favorite for Rookie of the Year and is averaging 20.5 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 35.5 percent from deep.

Young appears more comfortable looking for his shot with additional experience and is slashing through the lane with his ball-handling and unleashing floaters with soft touch at the rim. He is also taking advantage of defenders pushing up on his perimeter jumper with his quickness on the first step.

The Oklahoma product is just 20 years old and making drastic strides in his first season of professional experience. Doncic may end up being an All-Star for more than a decade in the league, but the book is far from closed on Young.

He is already flashing signs of improvement on a team that isn't loaded with playmakers around him and figures to get even better as the Hawks accumulate more talent later in their rebuilding process. That, along with his additional experience, will help him challenge Doncic over the course of their careers.

Bleacher Report