2021-22 NBA Rookie Thread (part 2)

[MotownMadness]

Didnt expect Franz to play this well, he looks like a guy who might hit that Gordon level ceiling. I saw more of a James Posey type do-it-all 3/D utility guy.

Giddey is just sill on offense, but to really become a star he needs to find a way to get his shot off quicker. He has a really workable form IMO, just a tweak or two to get it out quicker. I think he has the work ethic to make that adjustment.

Gordon....as in Aaron Gordon? as a magic fan i would honestly take Franz over any version of AG we had....i liked the kid but quite a bit of people didn't really know what it was like watching him play in an environment where he didn't have a big homie (i.e.) a bonafide All-Star that he would have to defer to...so we would have to watch him try and be more than he is taking bad shots instead of playing his role like he is now in denver....he's playing better team basketball there, it's great to see him finally accepting his role...

Probably meant Hayward

[BlazersBroncos]

Didnt expect Franz to play this well, he looks like a guy who might hit that Gordon level ceiling. I saw more of a James Posey type do-it-all 3/D utility guy.

Giddey is just sill on offense, but to really become a star he needs to find a way to get his shot off quicker. He has a really workable form IMO, just a tweak or two to get it out quicker. I think he has the work ethic to make that adjustment.

Gordon....as in Aaron Gordon? as a magic fan i would honestly take Franz over any version of AG we had....i liked the kid but quite a bit of people didn't really know what it was like watching him play in an environment where he didn't have a big homie (i.e.) a bonafide All-Star that he would have to defer to...so we would have to watch him try and be more than he is taking bad shots instead of playing his role like he is now in denver....he's playing better team basketball there, it's great to see him finally accepting his role...

Probably meant Hayward

100%

When scouting him, I thought there was a much higher chance he becomes a elite 4th option type than a guy who can be one of your top 3 players. So far, I think I may have been wrong. At the very least I think he is a Harrison Barnes level guy from what I have seen. Its only 8 games, but he looks really legit.

[JonFromVA]

I was super impressed with Mobley's 1-on-1 defense on Miles Bridges last night. Mobley destroyed him with amazing feet and length. Miles' stats and impact right now would put him in at least 3rd team All-NBA, but Mobley made him have a 1st inefficient game FG%-wise this season. Miles still managed to rack up 9 reb, 8 ast, 3 steals, 2 blocks, but his 4/18 shooting was mostly Mobley looking like a DPOY out there.

Lots of Cavs contributed to defending Bridges, at least when it got to the point of him taking a shot: Markkenen, Mobley, Allen, and Rubio all had 2 stops, and Bridges was unable to exploit Markkenen.

https://www.nba.com/stats/events/?ContextMeasure=FGA&EndPeriod=0&EndRange=28800&GameID=0022100094&PlayerID=1628970&RangeType=0&Season=2021-22&SeasonType=Regular%20Season&StartPeriod=0&StartRange=0&TeamID=1610612766&flag=3&sct=plot&section=game

[Ducklett]

I doubt highly that Franz will win ROTY, but man, how feel good of a story would it be? The city that didn't receive picking him at 8 very well, (and while I wasn't booing in the arena like many others, I did hyperbolically get mad to try and cheer myself up over the pick and trolled about him regularly during the summer league) quickly falling in love with his work ethic, attitude, and grit is about as Magic as a storyline in reality can get.

Barnes, Mobley, and many other rookies are very good, so I am not saying that Franz winning or losing ROTY is a slight (and it is 8 games into the season), but I can't stop myself from hoping for him winning it and bringing something happy to a one-team city who wants, desperately, for something in Orlando to cheer for.

[Statlanta]

I think teams like Toronto and Indiana will get the wins argument against Franz. Cleveland will get the production and minutes argument with their guy Mobley.

I just hope our team has a legit wing since the J.J Redick days, Gordon and Iwundu haven't cut it.

[QingJames]

Giddey is way better coming in than I thought he would be. Still has a lot of work to do on the defensive end but he's definitely going to be a maestro on the offensive end. OKC needs to stop it with these pathetic rosters and put some real NBA players around him so he can develop more rapidly.

[basketballRob]

Suggs 36th in the league on defense, according to his Raptor score. If he gets his offense straight he could eventually be a top 20 player.

Looks like Franz is leading all rookies in overall score.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

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[basketballRob]

Franz is #26, Mobley #32, and Barnes #59.


https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/nba-player-ratings/

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[hardenASG13]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

[JPriest]

lmao @ dwayne casey's reaction to getting the number 1 pick if Cade is a bust.

[peZt]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

Even if he becomes an extremely good shooter, with his obvious flaws, that will at best make him a smaller Khris Middleton. Good? Yes, worthy of a #1? No. And that's his best case
Dude can't dribble, can't get past any defender, had more TO than assists in College and was hailed as the second coming of Jesus coming into the draft. Trying to understand scouts and NBA draft twitter makes no sense sometimes

Might eat crow for these words later but so be it. This is how I've felt about him since the second I saw him in College

[BlazersBroncos]

Cade just doesnt look bouncy or athletic at all. Like, clearly below average for a NBA SG/SF. IDK, maybe its just rust but he seems like as much a specimin as CJ McCollum athletically.

[basketballRob]

Cade will figure it out. He's a huge two guard.

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[DCasey91]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

I think my comp was smaller Tatum, less savvy Hayward, with less offense polish (footwork, handle, inside game, not as good of shooter as Hayward coming in).

He has nice size for a SG, he’ll grab boards and do the little things but I never saw number one pick aspects in his game in College. He did really well for one game and that was it.

There is some of Booker in his game. I’m not enamored with him but he is toosly (if not flawed on his athleticism).

If you have size that’s fine but you can’t be sloppy/slow footed.

[links135]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

I think my comp was smaller Tatum, less savvy Hayward, with less offense polish (footwork, handle, inside game, not as good of shooter as Hayward coming in).

He has nice size for a SG, he’ll grab boards and do the little things but I never saw number one pick aspects in his game in College. He did really well for one game and that was it.

Michael Beasley

[BIGJ1ER]

So far all the Cade doubters have had their concerns coming to fruition.

He has a high floor due to his size, defence, eventual shot and passing ability, but he has a lot of work to do if he's going to end up being the best player in the class imo.

Mobley and Barnes also have high floors, as seen by their starts, and just seem to have higher ceiling's imo too.

I always saw Mobley as having a higher ceiling, but seeing the way he's come out and showing his floor, I can't see anyway this guy isn't a top 5 big in the league at his peak at minimum.

[DCasey91]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

I think my comp was smaller Tatum, less savvy Hayward, with less offense polish (footwork, handle, inside game, not as good of shooter as Hayward coming in).

He has nice size for a SG, he’ll grab boards and do the little things but I never saw number one pick aspects in his game in College. He did really well for one game and that was it.

Michael Beasley

That’s a good one though I think Beasley was a more talented offensive player but has less of a head on him then Cade. Cade had the intangibles where he took it seriously for all of his life. From high school to College his jumper looked great. Hourglass point shooting I thought he’s a smart cookie for knowing and actually realizing his limitations and producing.

Maybe Cade is just an overachiever and once everyone catches up to him size wise (especially in the NBA) his game isn’t exciting anymore.

[Bruin]

Cade will be fine. He honestly hasn’t been as bad as the stats are showing rn

[hardenASG13]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

Even if he becomes an extremely good shooter, with his obvious flaws, that will at best make him a smaller Khris Middleton. Good? Yes, worthy of a #1? No. And that's his best case
Dude can't dribble, can't get past any defender, had more TO than assists in College and was hailed as the second coming of Jesus coming into the draft. Trying to understand scouts and NBA draft twitter makes no sense sometimes

Might eat crow for these words later but so be it. This is how I've felt about him since the second I saw him in College

Same. I only caught a few of his college games but never saw it, figured i was missing something. He has 0 elite skills, and his handle and athleticsm are below average for an NBA starter. Looks like a career role player to me.

[Dan Z]

I havent seen a less exciting number one pick than Cunningham since Anthony Bennett. Not judging him after two games long term, but he isnt big, athletic, doesnt have amazing handle. He better be an extemely good shooter. Dont really see how projecting him to be a star makes any sense.

Even if he becomes an extremely good shooter, with his obvious flaws, that will at best make him a smaller Khris Middleton. Good? Yes, worthy of a #1? No. And that's his best case
Dude can't dribble, can't get past any defender, had more TO than assists in College and was hailed as the second coming of Jesus coming into the draft. Trying to understand scouts and NBA draft twitter makes no sense sometimes

Might eat crow for these words later but so be it. This is how I've felt about him since the second I saw him in College

It depends on how good the rest of the draft ends up being. Every draft is different and sometimes the #1 overall pick isn't as big of a difference maker as you'd like them to be. If he ends up being Khris Middleton 2.0 that's still a good player.

Right now it looks like Mobley should've gone #1 IMO.