2016-17 Rookie Watch thread

[Duke4life831]

Brandon Ingram's first NBA field goal was a banked-in 3. He looked genuinely embarrassed

It's been a rough couple games offensively so the bench and coaches looked sincerely happy for him. Just looks nervous, but still impacting the game on the defensive end. In both games the team went on a run when he was in the game. Really like his effort on D.

He should be solid on the defensive end from day 1. Hes really smart on that side of the ball and you cant teach that 7'4 wingspan. Offensively its going to take him a long time I think. He still has a very high ceiling, he just needs to get used to the speed and strength of the NBA. His first month at Duke was pretty bad as well, people forget but he was actually benched early in the season at Duke. I think it just takes him awhile to get comfortable. Hes pretty slow for a perimeter player (first step wise) and obviously is going to get pushed around. But once he learns how to use his height/length + his ball handling and shot making ability he will start to make an impact. I dont think he will be a front runner for ROY but not going to question his long term potential. The dude just turned 19 and is really smart, he will learn how to use his strengths to his advantage

[Duke4life831]

The key for Brown is that he's not being asked to put up gaudy totals, just play a role off the bench as an athletic defensive G/F.

He'll have a few huge scoring games here and there as a small-ball 4 that will get people talking. But for the most part his rookie year will likely be defined by how well he defends.

Im getting the impression hes being asked to play the Justice WInslow role for his rookie year before being asked to do more down the line with development. I would say the right decision.

Yeah, that's a good way to describe what they have in mind at the defensive end.

Offensively, he's pretty different than Winslow. He doesn't have nearly the same touch around the basket, and isn't as good of a ballhandler, cutter, or facilitator. But on the other hand. I think his shot and ISO/midrange game have more potential.

Right now the biggest thing for Brown is going to be to become a better cutter so he can get shots within the flow of the offense. Shooting an okay clip on turnaround shots and out-of-control drives is fine during the summer - but he won't get those shots in the regular season.

Like I said, there are going to be a few games this year where the Celtics are facing a team with some Luis Scola type at the 4, and Jaylen gets a ton of minutes there and scores 30 pts off the bounce. But he needs to be a better cutter to hit 12 pts more regularly, rather than disappear offensively on nights his 3 pt shot is off or he doesn't have a nice matchup.

Agreed. Winslow was a lot farther along as a player last year than Brown is right now. Winslow is the pretty far superior defender and had the better handle, better feel for the game as well. I think Brown's shooting #s are going to be similar to Winslow's and Stanley's from last year. I also agree with you that I think Brown is going to be the better Iso/shot creator than Winslow. I also think Brown clearly has a ton of potential on the defensive end as well. It's really hard not to like Brown as a prospect, when you match his physical attributes with his intellect and work ethic. I still think Winslow is the slightly better prospect, but I think Boston should be very happy with Brown, Detroit should be very happy with Stanley and Miami should be very happy with Winslow. Really great young group of bulky athletic perimeter players with great 2 way potential

[JellosJigglin]

Brandon Ingram's first NBA field goal was a banked-in 3. He looked genuinely embarrassed

It's been a rough couple games offensively so the bench and coaches looked sincerely happy for him. Just looks nervous, but still impacting the game on the defensive end. In both games the team went on a run when he was in the game. Really like his effort on D.

He should be solid on the defensive end from day 1. Hes really smart on that side of the ball and you cant teach that 7'4 wingspan. Offensively its going to take him a long time I think. He still has a very high ceiling, he just needs to get used to the speed and strength of the NBA. His first month at Duke was pretty bad as well, people forget but he was actually benched early in the season at Duke. I think it just takes him awhile to get comfortable. Hes pretty slow for a perimeter player (first step wise) and obviously is going to get pushed around. But once he learns how to use his height/length + his ball handling and shot making ability he will start to make an impact. I dont think he will be a front runner for ROY but not going to question his long term potential. The dude just turned 19 and is really smart, he will learn how to use his strengths to his advantage

Yeah he's like a baby deer learning how to walk. You can tell he'll be a good scorer once the game slows down. The Lakers were dead last in most defensive stats last season, so he's already helping them in an area where they desperately needed it. I don't think he'll be in the discussion for ROY. He'll be playing behind Deng and won't really be asked to do much.

[Duke4life831]

Brandon Ingram's first NBA field goal was a banked-in 3. He looked genuinely embarrassed

It's been a rough couple games offensively so the bench and coaches looked sincerely happy for him. Just looks nervous, but still impacting the game on the defensive end. In both games the team went on a run when he was in the game. Really like his effort on D.

He should be solid on the defensive end from day 1. Hes really smart on that side of the ball and you cant teach that 7'4 wingspan. Offensively its going to take him a long time I think. He still has a very high ceiling, he just needs to get used to the speed and strength of the NBA. His first month at Duke was pretty bad as well, people forget but he was actually benched early in the season at Duke. I think it just takes him awhile to get comfortable. Hes pretty slow for a perimeter player (first step wise) and obviously is going to get pushed around. But once he learns how to use his height/length + his ball handling and shot making ability he will start to make an impact. I dont think he will be a front runner for ROY but not going to question his long term potential. The dude just turned 19 and is really smart, he will learn how to use his strengths to his advantage

Yeah he's like a baby deer learning how to walk. You can tell he'll be a good scorer once the game slows down. The Lakers were dead last in most defensive stats last season, so he's already helping them in an area where they desperately needed it. I don't think he'll be in the discussion for ROY. He'll be playing behind Deng and won't really be asked to do much.

Ya I believe Walton is going to be a smart enough coach not to just toss him into the deep end right away. I think hes going to be asked a role similar to what Stanley/Justise were asked last year, play a hard 20-25 minutes and focus mostly on playing good D and adjusting to the game, offensively the role will be very limited. Ingram's offensive game is leaps and bounds ahead of Stanley or Justise but physically dont think he can handle it yet. The kid will be good in time

[Young_Star11]

If the Celtics were keeping the pick, Brown made some good sense for them.

Lakers will have to be very patient with Ingram. They might be another 20-win team this season so he will get plenty of opportunity to play.

[Klomp]

Kris Dunn with 6 points, 4 rebounds and 7 assists in the Wolves' preseason opener tonight

[AussieBuck]

First Thon sighting, two jumpers and a dunk, moves his feet like a small forward and the jumper seems legit. Still raw though. Hard to gauge him as he's simultaneously straight out of high school and damn old for a rookie.

[NYKHardKnock]

Keep your eye's on Knicks' Willy Hernangomez, a mini Marc Gasol out there. Almost unstoppable in the low post. If he would get starting minutes he'd be a top 5 rookie and I'm very serious. His rep will improve sooner than later

[Alonzo_Morning]

Jameel Warney da besss

[islanders11040]

Keep your eye's on Knicks' Willy Hernangomez, a mini Marc Gasol out there. Almost unstoppable in the low post. If he would get starting minutes he'd be a top 5 rookie and I'm very serious. His rep will improve sooner than later

Watch on YouTube

[MrMiyagi]

First Thon sighting, two jumpers and a dunk, moves his feet like a small forward and the jumper seems legit. Still raw though. Hard to gauge him as he's simultaneously straight out of high school and damn old for a rookie.

You Bucks and your long armed string beans. I don't know whether to root for your seven foot switchers or against in hopes that you don't crush the dreams of the rest of the NBA.


"Look upon our wingspans, ye mighty and despair!"

[nyk97]

Watch on YouTube

[Klomp]

Watch on YouTube

[RRFB]

Keep your eye's on Knicks' Willy Hernangomez, a mini Marc Gasol out there. Almost unstoppable in the low post. If he would get starting minutes he'd be a top 5 rookie and I'm very serious. His rep will improve sooner than later

Watch on YouTube

His little brother has looked great too. Juancho's summer league play forced the Nuggets to give him a roster spot and his play in preseason just might force the coaching staff to give him regular minutes.

Watch on YouTube

[Slava]

Yep, Hernangomez looks really good even if its a bit expected as he's been a pro for 3 years already in Europe. Very intriguing skillset. While I'm not a Mudiay fan, after watching them for two games in a row, I think Murray is already the better player and if Nurkic stays healthy they have a legit reason to go for a two big line up with him and Jokic. Since OKC in the late 00s, I can't think of a team that drafted better than the Nuggets.

[ElectricMayhem]

I don't mind the Pistons losing in the preseason when it's Bryn Forbes going off against us. He had a huge 8 points late in the 4th. I hope he makes the Spurs.

Also, Kay Felder with a solid 15/6. I love the kid but it hurts so much that he was there and we didn't take him! He'd sure be a nice backup option with Reggie Jackson out.

[Ice Trae]

I'm really liking this years draft for us. Both Prince and Bembry could become solid role players in the future

[guille_4]

Yep, Hernangomez looks really good even if its a bit expected as he's been a pro for 3 years already in Europe. Very intriguing skillset. While I'm not a Mudiay fan, after watching them for two games in a row, I think Murray is already the better player and if Nurkic stays healthy they have a legit reason to go for a two big line up with him and Jokic. Since OKC in the late 00s, I can't think of a team that drafted better than the Nuggets.

Which Hernangomez brother? Unlike Pau and Marc, they came over at the same time! We're gonna have to call them Juancho or Willy, at least until one of the outplays the other and earns the "Hernangomez" name.

They have both looked pretty good. I hope they can both make the rotation of their respective teams and play a consistent 15-18 minutes per game.

[Slava]

Yep, Hernangomez looks really good even if its a bit expected as he's been a pro for 3 years already in Europe. Very intriguing skillset. While I'm not a Mudiay fan, after watching them for two games in a row, I think Murray is already the better player and if Nurkic stays healthy they have a legit reason to go for a two big line up with him and Jokic. Since OKC in the late 00s, I can't think of a team that drafted better than the Nuggets.

Which Hernangomez brother? Unlike Pau and Marc, they came over at the same time! We're gonna have to call them Juancho or Willy, at least until one of the outplays the other and earns the "Hernangomez" name.

They have both looked pretty good. I hope they can both make the rotation of their respective teams and play a consistent 15-18 minutes per game.

I was obviously talking about the one playing for Denver.

[guille_4]

Yep, Hernangomez looks really good even if its a bit expected as he's been a pro for 3 years already in Europe. Very intriguing skillset. While I'm not a Mudiay fan, after watching them for two games in a row, I think Murray is already the better player and if Nurkic stays healthy they have a legit reason to go for a two big line up with him and Jokic. Since OKC in the late 00s, I can't think of a team that drafted better than the Nuggets.

Which Hernangomez brother? Unlike Pau and Marc, they came over at the same time! We're gonna have to call them Juancho or Willy, at least until one of the outplays the other and earns the "Hernangomez" name.

They have both looked pretty good. I hope they can both make the rotation of their respective teams and play a consistent 15-18 minutes per game.

I was obviously talking about the one playing for Denver.

Through context, I thought so.

He's been a pro for only 2 years though.