Rookie Discussion [19/20] [part I]

[BAMAFREAK]

No one should hold the hype that others generate against a player. I have never seen a player so humble, deflect so much attention to his teammates as Zion. He and Ja are also really really close friends.

If Zion continues like this it will be really really interesting. He will have had a "better" season, but is 35 games enough to be ROTY. Sort of a Brogdon/Embiid situation.

This isn’t directed at you Smirk, just everyone, but let’s not compare this to Embiid and Brogdon. Not near the same situation. If Brogdon has a year close to Ja’s there wouldn’t have been a question. It was just a down year. This year is not. Ja is 17.6 3.5 and 7.1 on good efficiency, with a ton of flare, and has his team in prime playoff contention.
Having said that, if Zion keeps this up and puts Nola in the playoffs, I’d give it to him.
And that’s as a huge Grizz fan

[Young gun 6]

If any of the following happens Ja will 100% win the award:

1) Memphis make playoffs.
2) Pelicans don’t make playoffs.
3) Zion averages less than 24/8 rest of the season.
4) Zion plays < 30 games.


If any of those things happen, Ja is guaranteed ROTY. If none of them occur, then I think it will be a 50/50 race. I don’t personally think that’s how it should be, but with the media narratives and late season push Zion is going to get playing against such easy teams, it will turn it into a 50/50 proposition.

[clyde21]

okay, we all agree it's Zion/Ja or Ja/Zion...maybe we should start talking about who's #3?

Clarke? Herro? Rui? Davis? PJ? Hayes? Mpj?

[Buzzard]

Cam: 16/4/2/1

Kevin Porter: 18/4/3/1

I think Cam is still on minutes restriction following his concussion. He only played 26 minutes. Porter balled and was a difference maker for the Cavs; while Sexton and Garland both shot poorly.

Cam continues to shoot well from three and he is easily the Hawks best on the ball defender. He needs to get 30 minutes a night. If the Hawks start Trae, Reddish, Hunter, Collins, and Capela they will have a long reasonably athletic lineup. We will see what their young coach does; but that is what I am hoping for after the break.

[Buzzard]

okay, we all agree it's Zion/Ja or Ja/Zion...maybe we should start talking about who's #3?

Clarke? Herro? Rui? Davis? PJ? Hayes? Mpj?

If Clarke and MPJ could get the minutes, I think 3rd would be between them.

[MemphisX]

Grizzlies are so deep, I doubt Clarke has a big uptick in minutes. Once Winslow gets healthy, he will likely play less but who knows.

[Young gun 6]

okay, we all agree it's Zion/Ja or Ja/Zion...maybe we should start talking about who's #3?

Clarke? Herro? Rui? Davis? PJ? Hayes? Mpj?

Remaining order for me would be:

3) Clarke 12/6/1/1 on 62/42/79 (67.4% TS ) (47 Games Played)
4) Washington 12/6/2/1/1 on 46/38/66 (55% TS) (47 Games Played)
5) Herro 13/4/2 on 41/39/84 (53.5% TS) (46 Games Played)
6) Rui 14/6/2 on 49/24/83 (54% TS) (30 Games Played)
7) MPJ (His stats don't reflect his impact, especially the limited minutes to start with)
8) Davis (same situation as MPJ)

Note: I think Nunn has been top 3-5 rookie so far but exclude him for the fact he is 24 so should be ahead physically/body wise.

[MemphisX]

FYI...Grizzlies are 27-21 in games Ja Morant plays.

[Buzzard]

I watched Kevin Porter Jr, scorch the Hawks last night. He was easily their best perimeter player. Over his last 8 games with only 26.2 minutes, he is averaging 15.3 PTS, 51.7 FG%, 48.5 3PT%. If he keeps doing anything close to 40% from three, the Cavs will have to bench someone in my opinion.

At 6'4", I am not sold on him being a small forward; but he could be the shooting guard the Cavs have been looking for.

[Jon1798]

This reminds me so much of the arguments with Blazers fans between Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis for rookie of the year. But just a warning....

Games played is more of a tie breaker. Sure, if they are neck and neck, Ja has it for sure. But if Zion does what he has been doing for the rest of the year, that’s not a tie.

[Marcus]

I watched Kevin Porter Jr, scorch the Hawks last night. He was easily their best perimeter player. Over his last 8 games with only 26.2 minutes, he is averaging 15.3 PTS, 51.7 FG%, 48.5 3PT%. If he keeps doing anything close to 40% from three, the Cavs will have to bench someone in my opinion.

At 6'4", I am not sold on him being a small forward; but he could be the shooting guard the Cavs have been looking for.

i loved that pick for the Cavs when they made it. The kid clearly has the talent and just needed to be given a shot. Hopefully he sees this opportunity as the blessing it is and keeps himself out of trouble. there is such ability there for him to be a really solid player at this level maybe even impactful if he can iron out some of his decision making.

[NO-KG-AI]

This reminds me so much of the arguments with Blazers fans between Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis for rookie of the year.

I was going to say that earlier.

[clyde21]

I watched Kevin Porter Jr, scorch the Hawks last night. He was easily their best perimeter player. Over his last 8 games with only 26.2 minutes, he is averaging 15.3 PTS, 51.7 FG%, 48.5 3PT%. If he keeps doing anything close to 40% from three, the Cavs will have to bench someone in my opinion.

At 6'4", I am not sold on him being a small forward; but he could be the shooting guard the Cavs have been looking for.

i loved that pick for the Cavs when they made it. The kid clearly has the talent and just needed to be given a shot. Hopefully he sees this opportunity as the blessing it is and keeps himself out of trouble. there is such ability there for him to be a really solid player at this level maybe even impactful if he can iron out some of his decision making.

Kevin Porter had top 10 talent really just a lot of issues at USC drove his stock down

[Jurassic_Park]

Hold that L zion... another loss for the pels. Enjoy that 11th-13th seed

[MemphisX]

Hold that L zion... another loss for the pels. Enjoy that 11th-13th seed

[clyde21]

another cool 32 on 11-19 from the field for Zion

[clyde21]

Hold that L zion... another loss for the pels. Enjoy that 11th-13th seed

Why are u mad tho

[Jurassic_Park]

Hold that L zion... another loss for the pels. Enjoy that 11th-13th seed

Why are u mad tho

i honestly love zion.. and wish nothing but the best.. starting next year. I need Ja morant badly to win ROY... i cash in big time.

just let Ja have this one!!

[Young gun 6]

Huge game for Zion!

Unfortunately itches him further away from ROTY with Pels now 5.5 games back of Memphis.

[J___Av]

Hold that L zion... another loss for the pels. Enjoy that 11th-13th seed

Why are u mad tho

i honestly love zion.. and wish nothing but the best.. starting next year. I need Ja morant badly to win ROY... i cash in big time.

just let Ja have this one!!

You are pretty safe unless Ja gets hurt. Zion is the best rookie, but there is no way Ja doesn't win with the games Zion missed