2018-2019 Rookie of the Year Standings
Mar 18, 2019 22:24:51 GMT
Ian Noble, Walt Frazier, and 4 more like this
Post by George Gervin on Mar 18, 2019 22:24:51 GMT
With most teams crossing the 50 game mark, it’s time to assess the strong 2018 draft class and see where everyone stacks up based on D5 production. I didn’t take into account team records or performance— just individual performance based on traditional counting stats at this stage of the D5 season. The early rankings are....drumroll...
- DeAndre Ayton, Detroit Pistons: Luka isn’t #1! My homerism pushed aside, Ayton has had the better rookie season in D5, as he is top 10 in scoring (25 ppg) and rebounding (12 rpg) and is the only consistent option for a tanking Pistons team. There’s another Pistons rookie who will make this watch list, but he’s not putting up the same numbers night after night that Ayton has. Absent a complete cliff fall or injury, the RoY is Ayton’s to lose.
- Luka Doncic, San Antonio Spurs: Luka checks in at #2, slightly edging out the Pelicans Jaren Jackson Jr. based on being the clear top option on the Spurs and averaging 21 ppg with 5.5 apg and 4 rpg. He has some other pieces around him, including fellow rookie Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Danny Green, but overall this year Luka has done very well and even made the All Star game as the last reserve for the Western Conference squad.
- Jaren Jackson Jr., New Orleans Pelicans: In most other years, Triple J would be the top rookie running away with it. In this year with two other rookies putting up numbers, he has to settle for a close third. As the #2 option for the Pelicans, Triple J is putting up a solid 19 ppg with 9 rpg, but more impressively he is averaging 2 bpg and 2 spg. Going down with what appears to be a season ending injury is a bummer, but he’s shown enough so far this season to be the clear third guy in the rookie race.
- Mo Bamba, Phoenix Suns: Another of the heralded big men from the 2018 draft class, Mo Bamba has had a solid rookie season for the Suns, providing 14 ppg, 8 rpg, and 1.5 bpg and 1.5 spg. Phoenix is pushing to win without their 2019 lottery pick in their possession, and Bamba has done his best to help anchor the back line for a Suns squad with a couple of interesting young guys like Kuzma and LeVert.
- Collin Sexton, Utah Jazz: This might be seen as a strange pick for #5, but Sexton is quietly putting up a solid season for a young Jazz team. Bagley is the bigger name and Tatum is the best young player, but Sexton has provided steady play for the Jazz to the tune of 13.5 ppg and 8 apg. He may prove to be a worthy third piece to go with Bagley and Tatum afterall.
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio Spurs: SGA checks in at #6 on this list, and he has provided steady play for the Spurs at PG to the tune of 15 ppg and 6 apg with 4 rpg as well. His shooting splits have left much to be desired, and he definitely is overshadowed by Luka putting up a show most nights, but being a rock solid, consistent option offensively and not getting torched night to night bodes well going forward.
- Trae Young, New Orleans Pelicans: Another PG on the list! Easily the most recognizable name of the rookie class, Young has struggled mightily with his shooting splits (32% FG and 28% from 3). However, he is still chipping in 14 ppg and 7.7 apg and is not a complete zero offensively despite the ghastly shooting figures. Similar to SGA, he is also overshadowed by another rookie on his own team.
- Jalen Brunson, Detroit Pistons: The last guy on the initial tracker is also the elder statesman as an upperclassman draftee. Similar to Young and SGA, Brunson has taken a back seat to other more heralded rookie on his team in Ayton. However, on a Pistons team devoid of talent, he has been a bright spot at 11 ppg and 7 apg. The Pistons have a ways to go, but with the franchise center identified and a solid PG starter at minimum too, they can focus on the wing players that seem to be everywhere in this upcoming draft.