2016-17 Rookie Watch thread

[skones]

He's averaging over 16 points per 36 through his first two months of NBA basketball. He's now starting and won rookie of the month in December, for a team that is one game out of the playoffs after starting 0-8 from decimated injuries.

In all seriousness, when was the last time you watched him play if at all?

After starting 0-8? You act as if they've climbed out of some hole. They're one game out of the playoffs at 9 games under .500 right now. Acting as if their playoff eligibility somehow strengthens your argument doesn't really fly.

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0-8 is not a hole?

He said Buddy is on a crappy team. The Pelicans have been a .500 team after that 0-8 start when about 7 people were missing games. I think that's worth mentioning no? It's an average team, not a crappy team. My post was a response to his.

Not when you're using the playoff picture relevance to bolster your argument at 9 games under .500 as if they've somehow climbed out of it, no.

[skones]

Also, Malcolm Brogdon just keeps doing his thing with a 17 point, 6 rebound, 6 assist performance on 5/11 from the field, 3/5 from 3, and only 1 to.

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He's looking like a Top 5 rookie from that draft class.

He's pretty easily been the best player drafted from his class this season. It'll be interesting to see how he progresses vs those who are substantially younger. As it stands, it looks as if Milwaukee has found their version of George Hill in the 2nd round.

[Lauri_Legend]

Denzel Valentine last night with 19pts on 5-11 3s playing meaningful minutes for the first time.

[XtotheDeezy]

Also, Malcolm Brogdon just keeps doing his thing with a 17 point, 6 rebound, 6 assist performance on 5/11 from the field, 3/5 from 3, and only 1 to.

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He's looking like a Top 5 rookie from that draft class.

He's pretty easily been the best player drafted from his class this season. It'll be interesting to see how he progresses vs those who are substantially younger. As it stands, it looks as if Milwaukee has found their version of George Hill in the 2nd round.

You're right. In terms of moving forward, I would still rather have Simmons or Ingram, but yeah he's #3.

[Jon1798]

After starting 0-8? You act as if they've climbed out of some hole. They're one game out of the playoffs at 9 games under .500 right now. Acting as if their playoff eligibility somehow strengthens your argument doesn't really fly.

Sent from my Nexus 6 using RealGM mobile app

0-8 is not a hole?

He said Buddy is on a crappy team. The Pelicans have been a .500 team after that 0-8 start when about 7 people were missing games. I think that's worth mentioning no? It's an average team, not a crappy team. My post was a response to his.

Not when you're using the playoff picture relevance to bolster your argument at 9 games under .500 as if they've somehow climbed out of it, no.

Actually, I argued that Buddy Hield is not somehow a lesser player because of the Pelicans performance. Are you arguing otherwise or just arguing to argue?

[skones]

0-8 is not a hole?

He said Buddy is on a crappy team. The Pelicans have been a .500 team after that 0-8 start when about 7 people were missing games. I think that's worth mentioning no? It's an average team, not a crappy team. My post was a response to his.

Not when you're using the playoff picture relevance to bolster your argument at 9 games under .500 as if they've somehow climbed out of it, no.

Actually, I argued that Buddy Hield is not somehow a lesser player because of the Pelicans performance. Are you arguing otherwise or just arguing to argue?

Is he a lesser player? No. But he's certainly getting ample opportunity to play through mistakes on NOLA where there are quite a few teams where he may not. Your attempt to boost Hield up "as a starter on a team one game out of the playoffs" is just as bad of a point as the initial poster who made the "crappy team comment."

[Jon1798]

Not when you're using the playoff picture relevance to bolster your argument at 9 games under .500 as if they've somehow climbed out of it, no.

Actually, I argued that Buddy Hield is not somehow a lesser player because of the Pelicans performance. Are you arguing otherwise or just arguing to argue?

Is he a lesser player? No. But he's certainly getting ample opportunity to play through mistakes on NOLA where there are quite a few teams where he may not. Your attempt to boost Hield up "as a starter on a team one game out of the playoffs" is just as bad of a point as the initial poster who made the "crappy team comment."

Riiiight. So to recap, your opinion is Hield is extra benefitting because he is on a team that it's not important what happens. And the fact that they are playing for a playoff spot is not an important part of that discussion. Interesting.

The Pels have Jrue Holiday, Tyreke Evans, E-Twaun Moore, Langston Galloway and Tim Frazier all fighting and sharing minutes at the guard spots right now. Buddy has had as much competition as anyone.

Since December 1st, his per 36 numbers have been 17.1 points, 43% FG, 50% 3PT% (on about 7 shots per 36) , 93% FT, 4.95 rebounds, 2.5 assists.

The fact that he is starting is important because he is going up against NBA starters. The fact that they are fighting for a playoff spot is important for the exact reason you have tried to down play how good he has been. There are more reasons than any team in the league for Alvin to try and save his job and to play a veteran over a rookie. But Buddy has been the second best player on this team. He has played like the second best rookie in the league.

[skones]

You're flat out not making any sense. I'm downplaying your "playoff team" argument to put Hield on a pedestal because nobody gives a rat's ass if youre a playoff team at 8 or 9 games below .500. You might as well not be, because you're not a very good team. Period.

So saying things like, "He's doing it on a team in playoff contention!" doesn't go very far when you put it into context of their ACTUAL record standing. They're not in playoff contention because they're an average to solid team. They're in playoff contention because the rest of the West from 8-15 is so damn awful. It's bogus to lambaste someone for calling your team crappy and then combat it with a heavily skewed in your favor "playoff contention" argument when in any other season, your "playoff contention team" is in the thick of the lottery.

[JohnWillow]

Another international player for Spurs, really good shooter, great vision, pretty good rim protector. Good job R.C. Buford again.

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

[brutalitops]

While Dunn has been pretty trash he's starting to get confidence, Still probably a career back-up PG/

Defensively he's good, He gets some huge blocks, has some nice moves with the ball, His inability to space the floor really could open up the game for him

[Turk Nowitzki]

Caris Levert is looking good for Brooklyn. His playmaking in particular is impressive.

That was a great pick by the Nets. The injury factor, while a clear risk, allowed them to get a lotto talent at pick #20.

[LibertyPrime]

While Dunn has been pretty trash he's starting to get confidence, Still probably a career back-up PG/

Defensively he's good, He gets some huge blocks, has some nice moves with the ball, His inability to space the floor really could open up the game for him

I keep hoping he'll have more of a Gary Payton arc, where everything clicks after the first year. He has shone real flashes defensively, but his job right now is to quarterback one of the worst second units in the NBA. He does seem to have some synergy with Zach Lavine when they play together.

[islanders11040]

From the last week or so (7 game stretch, avg 17mins/g):

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Good 3 pt shooter. Good at cutting to the basket. Good effort at all times. Always moving. There is something there.

[dautjazz]

From the last week or so (7 game stretch, avg 17mins/g):

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Watch on YouTube

Good 3 pt shooter. Good at cutting to the basket. Good effort at all times. Always moving. There is something there.

He's looks wasted in every screenshot of those youtube videos lol. Does he have a naturally wasted look?

[AussieBuck]

He's just ugly.

[skones]

Brogdon with another good outing. Pretty ridiculous he's as well rounded and poised as he is in year one. It feels like there are no real weaknesses in his game. 13 points, 6 rebounds 5 assists 2 steals 1 TO 3/6 from the field. Dellys back and is now coming off the bench, looks like he may have taken the starting job for good.

[dorkestra]

I think Brogdon fits well for the Bucks and he should be able to hold down PG of the future for them. Now all they need is a defensive minded center.

[Duke4life831]

Looks like Brandon Ingram is slowly starting to get a little more comfortable out there. His January shooting numbers are looking really good, starting to just play with a little more confidence out there. You can see some of his moves has the potential to be unguardable.

[MrBigShot]

If you're reading this take a second and look at Embiid's twitter picture LOL

The guy can flat out ball and his sense of humor is gold.

[Kabookalu]

The rookie watch threads are a lot less hostile when there's no studs in the class.