Post by Lazy Pete on Aug 9, 2016 21:12:33 GMT -6
This preseason really sucked for rookies. I mean it was bad. Last year's rookies had 13 players average double figures in points for the preseason. This year, there were two. Sample size and playing time is usually an issue for the preseason rookies, but this season is exceptionally bad. Larry Bird was the only player in the top 5 to get more than 20 minutes per game, and only 5 lotto picks in all did so. So suffice it to say, this list is a big ol' shrug.
1. The Player Soon To Be Known As
PG 19 5'3'' 145 B- B A- C+ C A
The Patron Saint of Purpleboard looks very good, continuing a trend of diminutive PGs with big game coming into the league. A big ROTY candidate if he gets enough PT.
2. Reggie Theus PG 21 6'7'' 210 B B+ B+ C+ C A
I was surprised that this jumbo PG didn't wind up in Denver, but Bankz's trash is Victor's treasure. Although Reggie is stuck behind Rowdy for now, I think he is destined for big things in San Antonio and should soften the blow of passing on Arenas last season.
3. Larry Bird PF 22 6'9'' 225 B+ A- C+ B- A- B
I really wanted to bump Larry further down the list, but the truth is that even though he shot like shit in the preseason, he was one of the best performers in the class. While his offense wasn't ideal, he rebounded and assisted at a high level and had very few turnovers. I hope everyone is ready for cocky dump, because we're in for the long haul.
4. Jackie Robinson SF 23 6'6'' 210 B C C B B B
After breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson lay dormant for several decades before re-emerging as an excellent looking rookie wing. His jumper could use a little work but I think Delap has the first piece for a new dawn in Seattle.
5. Robert Strong C 24 7'2'' 290 C+ D+ C- A A C
186 shots is awful for a D/R big. But hey, 12 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and a steal. Hopefully his shooting will decline a little, or else his ceiling may be Hasheem Thabeet/Shawn Bradley.
6. Phil Ford PG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B B D+ B
Would not have guessed it, but Ford is the Nuggets rookie who stood out the most in preseason. Stood out being a relative term, of course, because as with most of the people on this list, who knows?
7. Mychal Thompson PF 23 6'10'' 231 B+ C- C B+ A- A
Mychal looks like he's going to be a stud. However, his stats leave a bit to be desired. Average blocks, average rebounding, above average FT% and TOs, and a poor FG%.
8. Clemon Johnson PF 22 6'10'' 240 B D+ D+ B+ B+ C
Solid looking big man prospect in Seattle, although he is another one plagued w/ a lot of average and slightly above/below average skills, with no one trait standing out as elite.
9. Dave Batton PF 22 6'10'' 240 B- C D B B- B / Bave Datton PF 22 6'10'' 240 B- C D B+ C+ B
Dave Batton and his bizzaro twin looked like exactly that this preseason, but if you put them together they probably wouldn't be half bad.
10. Terry Tyler SF 22 6'7'' 215 B C C A- B B
Surprisingly, this SF was 2nd among rookies in shot blocks and 1st in shot blocks per 36 minutes. Couple that with 6.2 rebounds in 27 minutes and you have the makings of a stout defensive wing. Like Shane Battier last year, his ceiling depends on how his offense comes along. Unlike Battier, his poor FT% indicates that will be a lot tougher to accomplish.
Ones to watch: all of your team's rookies, the rookies who went undrafted, The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid
Through Preseason
1. The Player Soon To Be Known As
PG 19 5'3'' 145 B- B A- C+ C AThe Patron Saint of Purpleboard looks very good, continuing a trend of diminutive PGs with big game coming into the league. A big ROTY candidate if he gets enough PT.
2. Reggie Theus PG 21 6'7'' 210 B B+ B+ C+ C A
I was surprised that this jumbo PG didn't wind up in Denver, but Bankz's trash is Victor's treasure. Although Reggie is stuck behind Rowdy for now, I think he is destined for big things in San Antonio and should soften the blow of passing on Arenas last season.
3. Larry Bird PF 22 6'9'' 225 B+ A- C+ B- A- B
I really wanted to bump Larry further down the list, but the truth is that even though he shot like shit in the preseason, he was one of the best performers in the class. While his offense wasn't ideal, he rebounded and assisted at a high level and had very few turnovers. I hope everyone is ready for cocky dump, because we're in for the long haul.
4. Jackie Robinson SF 23 6'6'' 210 B C C B B B
After breaking the color barrier in baseball, Jackie Robinson lay dormant for several decades before re-emerging as an excellent looking rookie wing. His jumper could use a little work but I think Delap has the first piece for a new dawn in Seattle.
5. Robert Strong C 24 7'2'' 290 C+ D+ C- A A C
186 shots is awful for a D/R big. But hey, 12 rebounds, 2.5 blocks and a steal. Hopefully his shooting will decline a little, or else his ceiling may be Hasheem Thabeet/Shawn Bradley.
6. Phil Ford PG 22 6'2'' 175 B- B B B D+ B
Would not have guessed it, but Ford is the Nuggets rookie who stood out the most in preseason. Stood out being a relative term, of course, because as with most of the people on this list, who knows?
7. Mychal Thompson PF 23 6'10'' 231 B+ C- C B+ A- A
Mychal looks like he's going to be a stud. However, his stats leave a bit to be desired. Average blocks, average rebounding, above average FT% and TOs, and a poor FG%.
8. Clemon Johnson PF 22 6'10'' 240 B D+ D+ B+ B+ C
Solid looking big man prospect in Seattle, although he is another one plagued w/ a lot of average and slightly above/below average skills, with no one trait standing out as elite.
9. Dave Batton PF 22 6'10'' 240 B- C D B B- B / Bave Datton PF 22 6'10'' 240 B- C D B+ C+ B
Dave Batton and his bizzaro twin looked like exactly that this preseason, but if you put them together they probably wouldn't be half bad.
10. Terry Tyler SF 22 6'7'' 215 B C C A- B B
Surprisingly, this SF was 2nd among rookies in shot blocks and 1st in shot blocks per 36 minutes. Couple that with 6.2 rebounds in 27 minutes and you have the makings of a stout defensive wing. Like Shane Battier last year, his ceiling depends on how his offense comes along. Unlike Battier, his poor FT% indicates that will be a lot tougher to accomplish.
Ones to watch: all of your team's rookies, the rookies who went undrafted, The Rookie starring Dennis Quaid
