3034 Rookie Ladder (590 views)

[Lazy Pete]

Interesting class this season. These old classes usually involve a lot more uncertainty because there are only a few names that hold any meaning for even the most avid basketball fan. The players are on average a bit older than the previous couple, so there should be a few more contributors ready to go early on.

Through Preseason

1. Elgin Baylor SF 23 6'6'' 225 B+ B+ C B B+ A



Elgin has the makings of a do-everything forward, potentially carrying the torch of sim league greats Stanley Robinson and Matthew Lockhart. The turnovers are concerning for a wing, but if Majic can pump some points into his handles he should be well on his way to greatness.


2. Sam Jones SG 23 6'4'' 198 B A- C B C A



The only real knock on Jones is that he didn't shoot as much as Elgin or Borat, but his efficiency was unrivaled among his peers in preseason. On top of that, he had minimal turnovers and great steals numbers.


3. Borat Sagdiyev SG 28 6'7'' 225 B+ A- C+ A- C+ D



Anything lower on this list would've been a disappointment for the 28 year old rookie from Kazakhstan. He performed as well as expected, and should provide a big offensive lift to a team that lacked scoring last season.


4. Bucky Bockhorn SG 23 6'4'' 200 C+ A C C+ C B



Contrary to early reports that he was cut in preseason, the summit game darling came through with an impressive 9.8 points per game in only 15.8 minutes of play. Fears that he may be another Jimmer Fredette have receded, and the Nuggets look like they've got a SG to groom for an eventual Jimmy Butler replacement.


5. Jim Krebe C 22 6'10'' 230 B C D- B B B



Taco will be the first, second, and third person to tell you how pleased he was with Krebe's preseason. He's not wrong to be excited. Krebe was by far the best shot blocking rookie who got minutes this preseason, and also pulled down a very healthy number of boards. If his inside scoring comes along, he may end up as the best two-way big man in the class.


6. Hal Greer SG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B- B C B



The good: Greer was moved to PG in preseason, where his future likely lies in Chicago, and got a +2 defensive bump. The bad: His handles grade looks like it's a lot of passing and not enough handles right now, but for Bruns to get him PG eligible he will likely need to increase passing. His offensive efficiency and 3 point shooting are also lacking.


7. Jim Pollard SG 23 6'4'' 185 B- B C+ B- C+ B



Pollard looks to have his jump shot in the right place, and got some nice block numbers for a SG. With some increases in the right places, he should develop into a 20 PPG shooter.


8. Hot Rod Hundley SG 23 6'4'' 185 C B- B- C+ C- A



I like what Hot Rod did in limited minutes. He missed four FTs, but DJ Augustin is not walking through that door anytime soon. He also demonstrated some good handles.


9. Hub Reed PF 22 6'9'' 225 B C- D B- B+ C



Fason has shown an extraordinary ability to pluck competent big men out of the 2nd round. Hub looks similar to Terry Cummings last season, in that he scored efficiently but could really use some help in his shot-blocking.


10. Tink Van Patton SF 23 6'8'' 210 D- C+ C+ B- B A



TVP aka Tinklefish showed some good hustle out there, despite software playing him at PG. He shot more than I would've expected, but at his natural forward spot I'd expect his shots to go down and rebound opportunities to go up.


Others to watch: Guy Rodgers, Charlie Tyra, Isidoro Meyers, Dave Gambee, Bobby Wanzer, Adrian Smith

[Face-in]

Good looking class

[gbgalla24]

Tyra too low.

[gbgalla24]

Unless we don't take summer league into account. Tyra didn't play in preseason; so I would have no beef in that case.

[Lazy Pete]

Summer league is not factored into the rookie ladder rankings. Tyra can only blame his coach for giving minutes to Alex Len instead of him this preseason

[Heynong Man]

Yoooo Adrian

[Bruns]

Greer vs Jones was interesting in Summer league. Greer gonna slip thou as hes not gonna get much playing time this season.

[Heebs]

74 views - 2 votes. SMDH

[gbgalla24]

The rookie ladder is a marathon, not a sprint. He'll gain votes over the course of the season with each update.

[Lazy Pete]

I'm fine w/ people withholding votes until the final update. This is now my 5th season doing this article, so I would hope that people have faith that I'll finish it, but I've got enough articles for this season already.

[MistleTacoe]

Mr. Krebe's

[Deleted]

Gambee too low

[gbgalla24]

Jun 23, 2016 10:55:55 GMT -6 Lazy Pete said:

I'm fine w/ people withholding votes until the final update. This is now my 5th season doing this article, so I would hope that people have faith that I'll finish it, but I've got enough articles for this season already.

I voted because I believe in you, Pete. Even when you don't believe in yourself.

[victorj24]

We got Farmer...

[20s Navidad]

Jun 23, 2016 10:55:55 GMT -6 Lazy Pete said:

I'm fine w/ people withholding votes until the final update. This is now my 5th season doing this article, so I would hope that people have faith that I'll finish it, but I've got enough articles for this season already.

I'm onto your long con. You did it all those seasons SO we would have faith in you and you could cash in the 5th article for free without doing the work. 

[Majic]

Baylor is the crown Jewel. great preseason and a good looking first Sim

[[Account Deleted]]

Clark Kellogg too low

[Lazy Pete]

Through Day 40

1. Elgin Baylor SF 23 6'6'' 225 B+ B+ C B B+ A      LR: 1



Elgin is going to be really really good. He's got all-defense and all-league potential.


2. Bucky Bockhorn SF 23 6'4'' 200 B- A C B- C B      LR: 4



Bankz really scored big in the Mystic Stone trade. Bockhorn has slid in very nicely next to Jimmy Butler and the Nuggets have someone to build around after this era ends.


3. Sam Jones SG 23 6'4'' 198 B A- C B C A       LR: 2



Sam is likely going to be a big time scorer in New Jersey. I don't want to speak too soon, but he looks eerily similar to Jesus at this stage in his career (granted, at a much older age).


4. Borat Sagdiyev SG 28 6'7'' 225 B+ A- C+ A- C+ D       LR: 3



Borat has produced well in back-up minutes for Milwaukee, and probably has earned some more PT. The last of the really outstanding rookies this season.


5. Jim Krebe C 22 6'10'' 230 B C D- B B B      LR: 5



Krebe remains where he was in preseason, but he's had a bit of a rough start to the season. He shoots too much and isn't efficient, but his FT% is gorgeous and he swats a whole lotta shots, so I can forgive his shooting transgressions for the time being.


6. Temple Tucker C 22 6'10'' 240 C+ B D A- C+ B      LR: Unranked



I almost overlooked Temple, who has been an efficient but infrequent scorer as a big man. However, his weird skill set is actually kind of appealing. He's not going to take a ton of shots and kill you like most bigs, but he still has the potential to kick in great defense and at least average rebounding.


7. Boo Ellis SF 22 6'6'' 185 B- B+ C C C A       LR: Unranked



Who knows if he produces at the same level with more minutes, but he looks like he has Allan Houston-type potential.


8. Mike Farmer SF 22 6'7'' 210 C B+ C- B- C+ B       LR: Unranked



The Farmer in the dell provides good d on the wing and looks like he has a workable offensive game to at least be a 15+ PPG guy in a couple seasons. That is a useful player provided you've got one or two others to cover the scoring load.


9. Tink Van Patton SF 23 6'8'' 210 D- C+ C+ B- B A       LR: 10



Tink does everything you want from a non-scoring player thus far. He shoots it very infrequently, has made every FT he's attempted, and fills up the stat sheet without many turnovers. Of course, he's only played 10 minutes a game, but it looks like he is the player many expected.


10. Hal Greer SG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B- B C B       LR: 6



Hal Greer kinda sucks so far this season, and has gotten almost no PT, but at least he knows how to get some shots up.


Previously ranked: Jim Pollard, Hot Rod Hundley, Hub Reed

[MistleTacoe]

Yeah Krebe needs to stop shooting so much or just get better at making shots

[Majic]

Baylor = Good

[Lazy Pete]

Through Day 85

1. Elgin Baylor SF 23 6'6'' 225 B+ B+ C B B+ A       LR: 1



Elgin remains king of the castle. He's scoring well and chipping in on both sides of the court, and there's nobody close to unseating him thusfar.


2. Bucky Bockhorn SF 23 6'4'' 200 B- A C B- C B       LR: 2



The Nuggets' prize prospect is shooting absolutely lights out this season. In a couple years, I expect him to be at or near the top of the scoring leaders.


3. Borat Sagdiyev SG 28 6'7'' 225 B+ A- C+ A- C+ D       LR: 4



Kazakhstan's greatest export has lived up to his grades with efficient scoring and what I can only assume is decent defense.


4. Sam Jones SG 23 6'4'' 198 B A- C B C A       LR: 3



Sam's season is on the decline a little thanks to a sharp drop in efficiency over the last 45 days. Definitely still a top-caliber prospect, but maybe not as ready as first thought. One encouraging stat I didn't notice before is that he's got pretty decent shot blocking for a guard.


5. Mike Farmer SF 22 6'7'' 210 C B+ C- B- C+ B        LR: 8



I don't think that Farmer will ever be a dynamic offensive player, but he certainly won't kill you on that end, and I like his potential as an all-defense caliber wing.


6. Temple Tucker C 22 6'10'' 240 C+ B D A- C+ B       LR: 6



I may be dazzled by Tucker's unconventional style and build, but I'm a believer. He isn't taking a ton of shots but he's converting them at a decent rate for a big, with an elite FT% and very strong shot blocking. The low turnover numbers w/ D handling is also a very positive sign.


7. Hal Greer SG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B- B C B       LR: 10



Bruns has found a way to get Hal minutes, and while he's not close to matching the other two rookies in this draft's "big three", I think with some TLC he'll get there in a few seasons. His TO numbers are some concern for a potential move to PG down the road.


8. Charlie Tyra C 22 7'0'' 235 C- C- C A- B+ A       LR: Unranked



Tyra still is a little minutes-starved, but he looks like he is a very good D/R prospect.


9. Jim Krebe C 22 6'10'' 230 B C D- B B B       LR: 5



Krebe's FG% isn't getting any better, but at least he makes his FTs. The shot-blocking is top notch as always.


10. Dave Gambee SF 21 6'6'' 215 B+ B C- B- C A       LR: Unranked



As if Dumptime doesn't have enough to be excited about, this 2nd round flyer looks like he might be a real player. He's not doing any one thing at an elite level, but he's chipping in across the board.


Previously ranked: Boo Ellis, Tink Van Patton

[Deleted]

Gambee picked it up once he wasnt forced to play C when Luther went down early on

He has very high strength already so thats nice

[MistleTacoe]

Just added +5 to Krebe's inside scoring so hopefully that helps. Gonna be throwing RC's at it as well

[Bruns]

Hal can definitely put up some points @sf just not always efficient. Curious what he'd be at SG or PG.

[Majic]

[Lazy Pete]

Final Ranking

1. Elgin Baylor SF 23 6'6'' 225 B+ B+ C B B+ A       LR: 1



Elgin is ROTY, and  threw down one of the best all-around seasons by a rookie in a long time (excluding the 3032 superhumans)


2. Bucky Bockhorn SF 23 6'4'' 200 B- A C B- C B       LR: 2



Bucky kept up the efficient scoring and is a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Nuggets as they retool.


3. Borat Sagdiyev SG 28 6'7'' 225 B+ A- C+ A- C+ D       LR: 3



Would've been a tough call between Bucky and Borat if he got starters minutes this season, but he was very good this season nonetheless.


4. Sam Jones SG 23 6'4'' 198 B A- C B C A       LR: 4



Really fell off in the second half of the season, scoring-wise. He looks to be a strong defensive player though, so he will likely be a two-way beast down the road.


5. Hal Greer SG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B- B C B       LR: 7



He gathered all the momentum that Sam Jones lost in the 2nd half, shooting much better and looking a lot more like the #2 overall pick. He's still got a couple things to work out, particularly his turnovers, but Hal will be a good one.


6. Temple Tucker C 22 6'10'' 240 C+ B D A- C+ B       LR: 6



I keep trying to bump Temple further down the list, but for some reason 6 feels like the best place for him. May get a lot more chance to shine now that Hibbert is out for the playoffs.


7. Jim Krebe C 22 6'10'' 230 B C D- B B B       LR: 9



Upped his efficiency a bit from the crater it was in on day 85, but I just can't get over how much he shoots. Still, he's the pre-eminent shot-blocker of the rookie class thus far.


8. Mike Farmer SF 22 6'7'' 210 C B+ C- B- C+ B       LR: 5



The defensive wing continues to defend.


9. Bobby Wanzer PG 23 6'0'' 170 C+ B+ A- B D+ C       LR: Unranked



Stole a ROTM award at the end of the year. Nothing spectacular about him, but he looks like he's got potential as a solid starter.


10. Dave Gambee SF 21 6'6'' 215 B+ B C- B- C A       LR: 10



Not much changed since the last update. Gambee is still doing his thing.


Honorable Mention: Jim Brown SG 21 6'2'' 220 C+ C C B C+ A       LR: Unranked



I really wanted to find a spot for Jim Brown, who put up some ridiculous scoring numbers in the very limited action he saw this season. I ultimately couldn't justify giving a player w/ 64 minutes played a spot on the final rankings, but he gets a special shout out here. Hopefully 20s finds a way to get him a little more burn next season.


Previously ranked: Charlie Tyra


Overall, I'd say this class is slightly above average. Elgin already looks like a star, and the wing talent is strong with potentially 3-4 other all-star caliber wings. The draft is lacking in quality bigs, at least to this point. There were no talented scoring bigs in the bunch, and the ones who provided the most help w/ defense and rebounding shot a little too much for my liking. Also very little PG depth on display, although I think one of Shorty Chavez, Kenton Owens or Curtis Thrash will wind up being the best in the class.

[Deleted]

Gambee too low

[Heebs]

Wish I knew what happened to Jones.

[Face-in]

I really like Greer, he would have put up big numbers if he got starter's minutes at SG all season.

[MistleTacoe]

Fair ranking for Krebe. Hoping I can put enough points into his Jump Shot and Inside to make him serviceable