Rookie impressions thread: PRESEASON/REGULAR SEASON

[Mikez1919]

i found it on this article http://nba.si.com/2013/12/03/the-fundam ... rontcourt/

[tranjSAIC]

I think people in this thread have no problem saying he might be the best player in the future, but if your saying he is the best RIGHT NOW, then your nothing but a homer.

[Brapman]

I think people in this thread have no problem saying he might be the best player in the future, but if your saying he is the best RIGHT NOW, then your nothing but a homer.

That's true. Look, I'm a Pistons fan, and it takes a lot for me to acknowledge another team's prospect. Hell, I'm hell on hating on McLemore (just think he'll never be elite or even a star in this league). But, I think Giannis has a fine chance to be a superstar in this league, and that he clearly has the highest upside of anyone in this draft - clearly.

After that, I'd say MCW, KCP are the guys most likely to be the top players in this class, when all's said and done. MCW could be an elite PG - if he learns to shoot. That's a big "if" but conceivable. Aside from that, his talent on the floor is obvious. KCP is going to be an outstanding 3 and D player - he's already great on D, and is having a huge impact on the Pistons there - just huge. His shot is coming around nicely. The question on him being a star is whether he'll be a guy who in future years demands shots or whether he's content to blend with the rest of the team. My sense is he's super-confident and very high BB IQ and he's super competitive, and he might well make that leap. He's not a superstar - will never be a Wade level MVP player, but he could be a great starter and key player on a championship team.

In a redraft, those would be my top 3 picks - easy. And I might absolutely take Giannis first.

[H2tObes]

I don't think anyone said he's the best player right now. Someone said he's the best player from this draft...which could very well be true. If there was a redraft right now, many would take him #1 remind yourself.

[Apollo64]

Wow Giannis is 18!? Didn't think it was really possible for a player to be playing at 18 in the NBA with the eligibility rules.

The way the rules are means that international players in contrast to US ones can actually play out of highschool at the age of 18. Happens very rarely though, so people don't notice it.

Anyway, i think Giannis is going to be good, a likely decent starter with some chance at superstardom a la Paul George. It is going to take years however since he is so young and basically still in puberty. In 2030 he will be 35 years old, think about it.

Well from what I read, they need to be 1 year removed from high school to become eligible, or automatically eligible at 19.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eligibilit ... rent_rules

The basic rules that started in the 2006 draft are:
All drafted players must be at least 19 years old during the calendar year of the draft.[10] To determine whether a player is eligible for a given year's draft, subtract 19 from the year of the draft. If the player was born during or before that year, he is eligible. Any player who is not an "international player", as defined in the CBA, must be at least one year removed from the graduation of his high school class.[10]

The "one year out of high school" requirement is in addition to the age requirement. For example, although O. J. Mayo turned 19 in November 2006, six months before his high school graduation, he was not eligible until the 2008 draft, a year after his high school class graduated.

The "19 years old rule" is a bit misleading, you can be still 18 and get drafted. For example, Giannis (born '94) becomes 19 today (so happy birthday to him). The one year removed from high school rule also does not apply for international players, they can get drafted one year earlier than US ones!

[MountainDrew]

I think we'll just agree to disagree here. I'm obviously a Sixers homer and you obviously are Bucks homers, so this conversation is going nowhere. I'll gladly take MCW who is already playing very well and at this point the frontrunner (by a mile) for ROY, while you guys take the higher potential route with Giannis. Either one is fine, but there is no guarantee he will ever become a superstar, while I think MCW is a pretty safe bet to become an allstar or at least a quality point guard on a winning team for Philadelphia, while the Bucks future is also looking bright with a chance at a top 5 pick and a very high potential player in Giannis. Both teams got major steals and both teams have bright looking future if it's managed correctly (you never know, I have full faith in Hinkie and co, but you never know what the Bucks are going to do, but it seems hard to mess up in this situation).

[Reckless]

Giannis reminds me a lot of young Kirlinko with more shooting potential.

I can see the simlarities, I don't know if he'll big as good shot blocker as AK but could be a better offensive player.

[MiltownHawkeye]

while I think MCW is a pretty safe bet to become an allstar or at least a quality point guard on a winning team for Philadelphia

But he hasn't shown either of those things.

[Joel Embust]

Tim Hardaway Jr, best 3pt shooter among rookies? This guy has stud SG written all over him.

[Upper Decker]

Porter sucks. Big fat zero tonight. How many games did it take for Anthony Bennett to score? Let's see if Porter can beat that. His shot is amazingly ugly.

[oikosnomos]

Porter sucks. Big fat zero tonight. How many games did it take for Anthony Bennett to score? Let's see if Porter can beat that. His shot is amazingly ugly.

It's only been one game. Bennett went 0-15 in four games. I'm a Cavs fan and would take Porter right now over Bennett, no problem. Bennett has ever sign of bust written all over. I have seen zero anything from him.

[Fat]

Tim Hardaway Jr vs Magic tonight

15 point 3Ast in 22 mins

5/7 FGM-A

5/7 3PM-A

Was a +32

i love this kid

[MountainDrew]

while I think MCW is a pretty safe bet to become an allstar or at least a quality point guard on a winning team for Philadelphia

But he hasn't shown either of those things.

Lead the league in steals, top 10 amongst point guards in PER. Has shown great defensive ability, great vision and a good form on his 3 point shot which has gone in at a rate that was better than anticipated. Not broken at all. His length and long strides has been a huge advantage over other pointguards. He has great physical tools and a lot of potential. I think he's done fine.

[Sixteen]

These other fans of rookies crack me up. Remind me of me on Evan Turners rookie year.

[OrlChamps2030]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zxjiLXIJAc

This kid really knows how to move without the ball and get open

Giannis, McLemore, and Burke are really starting to heat up.. Definitely makes this rookie class more interesting IMO

[Dan Z]

I don't think anyone said he's the best player right now. Someone said he's the best player from this draft...which could very well be true. If there was a redraft right now, many would take him #1 remind yourself.

Way back in this thread I said he potentially could end up as the best player from this draft class. It's possible. But nowhere did I say he was the best right now.

I think the Bucks made a great move drafting him. At the 15th pick why not swing for the fences?

[Brapman]

Nobody commenting on Burke's crap game against Portland last night?

I continue to see Trey as a decent backup to fine backup PG in this league, not a star, because he's likely to be overwhelmed by the superior size and athleticism of this league - himself being a pretty small, not super strong, and not great athlete.

Any team asking him to be a starter and hoping to still be a top team is going to have to surround him with unreal athletes at every other position.

[islanders11040]

Tim Hardaway Jr, best 3pt shooter among rookies? This guy has stud SG written all over him.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iZPaeMLK7o[/youtube]
loved what i have seen for the kid the last few games. the video doesnt include the last 2 in which he played very solid.

The kids athleticism is awesome. He just glides through the air which u can see at 3:07 with his freethrow line layup. I mean his last dribble on that play is on the bottom right corner of the CENTER logo!!! He is a deadly 3 pt shooter(shooting 43% from 3). The ball doesnt stick to his hands at all either, always making solid passes which have been leading to alleyoops or open shots for others. He is great at coming off screens. He seems to be a great team guy and hard worker which i believe will help him develop other parts of his game.

[Ballah]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nZnv4LYCAQ

Incredible block by Oladipo.

[amcoolio]

Zeller hasn't been consistent and gotten many minutes, but he has shown flashes. 10/5 last night in 12 minutes.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyPDVVAA_5o[/youtube]