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Post by Lazy Pete on May 4, 2016 11:31:57 GMT -6
Hold on to your butts, ladies and gentlemen. This rookie class is at least the strongest at the top that we've seen since the '04 class with Jordan and Barkley, and probably the most star-studded class we've had in 4.0. Sweet Georgia Brown. Unlike last year, I'm going to adopt the old Fason model, updating every 40 days. Through Preseason 1. Jesse Epstein PG 21 6'2'' 175 B+ B+ C B C A This guy seems okay. 2. Jimmy Jackson SG 22 6'6'' 220 B A- C A- C+ A Soup's pride and joy couldn't quite keep up with Frankenstein, but this is one of the best preseasons I've seen out of a rookie in a long time. Fret not, Brunsy, you're in good hands. 3. Alonzo Mourning C 22 6'10'' 245 A- C D+ A- B+ B 'Zo and Shaq have the misfortune of coming in with a class full of ready-made all-stars. If they were in any other class of recent memory, they would be hands down the best players. I gave Zo the nod over Shaq thanks to his edge in TOs and slightly better blocks numbers. 4. Shaquille O'Neal C 21 7'1'' 330 A+ D+ C B+ A B What a shame that Shaq ends up all the way down at #4, but it's not through any fault of his own. I'm surprised at the turnover numbers given his high handles grade. He's already on the shortlist of best two way bigs, and will only get better with some TLC. 5. LaPhonso Ellis PF 22 6'8'' 240 B+ C D+ B- B A As the dust from Eric-gate settles, his consolation prize is a promising preseason from an A+ player name. LaPhonso has some good percentages, and is solid across the board for his other big man categories. No where close to the top of the class, but then again who is. 6. Bryant Stith SG 21 6'5'' 208 B- B C C+ C+ A How fitting that on May the Fourth we have the sim league's first Stith Lord. Seattle fans are rejoicing at the signs of life from one of their draft picks, who got a lot of burn in preseason and didn't disappoint. 7. Dave Johnson SF 21 6'7'' 210 B B C C B B This may be a first for the Rookie Ladder article. Dave Johnson went undrafted and was signed by the Warriors in preseason. He got mostly back-up minutes, but he put up some pretty sterling percentages, and per 36 minutes was one of the closest to cracking the Big 4's level of scoring. 8. Tom Gugliotta PF 22 6'10'' 240 B C+ C B+ A- B The Goog approves. Tommy G showed a lot of moxie out there in preseason, and while his efficiency isn't quite there, he pulled down some nice rebound numbers and a surprising amount of steals. I'm a fan. 9. Willie Lewis PG 22 5'10'' 190 C+ B+ B- B+ D+ A Was he extended? I sure hope so. The unheralded member of WMCJ, Willie did enough with his limited PT to make me think that he's in for a good season.
10. Christian Laettner PF 22 6'11'' 235 B- B C- B- B- A As much as it pains me to admit it, I don't hate Christian Laettner. He's got some interesting stats and percentages and I'm ready to see what he'll do in a larger sample size. Others to watch: Latrell Sprewell, Billy Hoyle, Oliver Miller, Elmore Spencer |
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Post by Citizen Cane on May 4, 2016 11:43:49 GMT -6
Willie Lewis was extended.
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Post by MistleTacoe on May 4, 2016 11:57:39 GMT -6
Dude. What the fuck is that PG? The casual ~40ppg, ~7reb, ~6ast, ~2 block, ~2 steal rookie? That's fucking stupid.
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Post by Deleted on May 4, 2016 12:02:56 GMT -6
Dude. What the fuck is that PG? The casual ~40ppg, ~7reb, ~6ast, ~2 block, ~2 steal rookie? That's fucking stupid. Welcome to yesterday |
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Post by Majic on May 4, 2016 12:27:20 GMT -6
Dude. What the fuck is that PG? The casual ~40ppg, ~7reb, ~6ast, ~2 block, ~2 steal rookie? That's fucking stupid.  |
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Post by KwYawnza on May 4, 2016 12:30:44 GMT -6
I'm in Stithes with that Stith lord joke!
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Post by MistleTacoe on May 9, 2016 7:29:29 GMT -6
Got a good feeling Mr. Billy Hoyle is going to make the 40 days list  |
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Post by KwYawnza on May 9, 2016 9:12:21 GMT -6
Sonic rookies trying to break that glass ceiling
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 9:45:04 GMT -6
Got a good feeling Mr. Billy Hoyle is going to make the 40 days list There is only a 60 days list and an end of the season list |
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 9, 2016 9:47:37 GMT -6
Got a good feeling Mr. Billy Hoyle is going to make the 40 days list There is only a 60 days list and an end of the season list Not this year. I did it only twice last year because I knew I was going to be out of town and unable to update for a while |
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Post by Deleted on May 9, 2016 9:58:45 GMT -6
There is only a 60 days list and an end of the season list Not this year. I did it only twice last year because I knew I was going to be out of town and unable to update for a while BOOOO |
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 9, 2016 10:00:25 GMT -6
Not this year. I did it only twice last year because I knew I was going to be out of town and unable to update for a while BOOOO BOOOOOO! TOO MUCH CONTENT! BOOOOOOO! |
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Post by MistleTacoe on May 9, 2016 16:29:55 GMT -6
Not this year. I did it only twice last year because I knew I was going to be out of town and unable to update for a while BOOOO Yeah why are you booing that. I, for one, am excited to see Billy's name more often |
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Post by Heynong Man on May 9, 2016 17:30:21 GMT -6
Not this year. I did it only twice last year because I knew I was going to be out of town and unable to update for a while BOOOO you must be confused |
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 10, 2016 15:08:53 GMT -6
Through Day 45
1. Jimmy Jackson SG 22 6'6'' 220 B A- C A- C+ A LR: 2
 This rookie is every bit as good as expected. He's third in the league in scoring, putting up an enormous 35 PPG. Sure, his numbers may be a little inflated thanks to playing for a tanker, but Jimmy is likely the best rookie we've seen in 4.0. 2. Jesse Epstein PG 21 6'2'' 175 B+ B+ C B C A LR: 1
 Definitely a little less than the superhuman we saw in preseason, but not by much. Epstein is also topping 30 PPG, which has to be a first for two rookies to do it in the same season. His sublime handles may be a thing of the past, but as we've seen with guys like Kyrie, Franchise and Brandon Knight, that's not a problem if you can deliver everywhere else. 3. Alonzo Mourning C 22 6'10'' 245 A- C D+ A- B+ B LR: 3 I contemplated putting Zo above Epstein because he's already the best two-way big man in the Atlantic (at least this side of Stephon Templeton). Ultimately, if he was a little more efficient he'd be there. A clear #1 player in any class except this one. 4. Shaquille O'Neal C 21 7'1'' 330 A+ D+ C B+ A B LR: 4
 Shaq Diesel isn't the unstoppable force that his real life rookie counterpart was, but despite playing in a DC designed to fail, Shaq has impressed. I'm excited to see him once Ank stops tanking. 5. Billy Hoyle SG 23 6'3'' 190 C A- C B- C B LR: unranked
 Taco guessed correctly. Billy is a big riser in this update. He's putting up some nice scoring numbers on good percentages, and the best news is the volume of shots he's putting up with only a C inside grade. That indicates he most likely does not have the dreaded Maggette disease, and fans in Golden State can breathe easy. 6. Christian Laettner PF 22 6'11'' 235 B- B C- B B- A LR: 10
 This guy is looking pretty good. It's a shame to be on the outside looking in at that top 4, but Laettner may end up being a really nice consolation prize for the Yawnics. 7. Dave Johnson SF 21 6'7'' 210 B B C C B B LR: 7 Our undrafted rookie sticks around in the top 10. I'm impressed at his all-around game, and he's blocking a good amount of shots at the SF position, so he may defend better than his C grade indicates. 8. Bryant Stith SG 21 6'5'' 208 B- B C C+ C+ A LR: 6 Stithy loses points for a dip in his efficiency compared to preseason, but he's showing all the tell-tale signs of a starter-caliber wing. Hopefully yawn can find enough points to give this man the TLC he needs. 9. Tony Bennett PG 23 6'0'' 175 C B- B B- C- B LR: unranked 3 Sonics on the top-10 list?!?! I'm as surprised as you. It was really a toss-up here between Bennett and Lee Mayberry, who may or may not have been cut by a certain Toronto GM who will remain nameless. Bennett gets the nod because he's got a slightly better AST/TO ratio, scores at relatively the same level, and has a better defense grade. Mostly though, it's just for me to save a little face. 10. Sidney Deane PG 22 6'0'' 180 C+ B+ A- B- C- B LR: unranked The usual caveats about small sample sizes apply, but Sid the Kid is looking really nice in his limited run. On a stacked team behind an all-star caliber point guard, Sidney's going to have to wait a while before he gets any significant burn. previously ranked: LaPhonso Ellis, Tom Gugliotta, Willie Lewis |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 15:13:36 GMT -6
I contemplated putting Zo above Epstein because he's already the best two-way big man in the Atlantic (at least this side of Stephon Templeton).
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 10, 2016 15:16:39 GMT -6
you heard what I said punk
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 15:18:15 GMT -6
you heard what I said punk Bulletin board material posted in locker make sure CWebb is ready for what is coming to him |
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Post by Face-in on May 10, 2016 15:22:33 GMT -6
Hoyle looks like a poor man's Jimmy Chitwood.
I think it was Trofie who made that prediction before the draft.
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 15:25:05 GMT -6
Hoyle looks like a poor man's Jimmy Chitwood. I think it was Trofie who made that prediction before the draft. Fucking racist |
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Post by eric on May 10, 2016 15:28:35 GMT -6
Alonzo .99 pts/tsa, 4.0 blk 11.4 reb per 36
Embiid .99 pts/tsa, 3.9 blk 12.9 reb per 36
i'd probably go embiid right now for the boards and the height but zo is probably gonna blow by in two or three seasons tops
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 10, 2016 15:29:37 GMT -6
you heard what I said punk Bulletin board material posted in locker make sure CWebb is ready for what is coming to him Technically, Embiid is on the north side of Templeton (Bos to NYC) and Zo is on the south side (NYC to MIA). I live south of NYC too. Ergo, Zo is the best 2-way big this side of Stephon Templeton |
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 15:41:19 GMT -6
Alonzo .99 pts/tsa, 4.0 blk 11.4 reb per 36 Embiid .99 pts/tsa, 3.9 blk 12.9 reb per 36 i'd probably go embiid right now for the boards and the height but zo is probably gonna blow by in two or three seasons tops Your mom is gonna blow by in two or three seasons, bitch |
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Post by MistleTacoe on May 10, 2016 15:53:49 GMT -6
Hoyle looks like a poor man's Jimmy Chitwood. I think it was Trofie who made that prediction before the draft. If Hoyle can be 90% of Chitwood, I'll be incredibly happy with the pick |
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Post by Citizen Cane on May 10, 2016 17:21:38 GMT -6
Zo>>>>Embid. deal with it dumpy
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2016 17:45:07 GMT -6
Zo>>>>Embid. deal with it dumpy Said no one ever |
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Post by SugarShaun on May 10, 2016 19:43:48 GMT -6
I changed my DC so Gugliotta will get more PT. Hopefully he will also shoot better percentages
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Post by Trofie on May 10, 2016 20:52:03 GMT -6
Good class
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Post by KwYawnza on May 11, 2016 9:00:59 GMT -6
I'm happy with my picks.
Except Tracy Murray. But he's done that in every league.
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Post by Lazy Pete on May 16, 2016 9:40:12 GMT -6
Through Day 85
1. Jimmy Jackson SG 22 6'6'' 220 B A- C A- C+ A LR: 1
 Jimmy's scoring has cooled off a hair since the last update, but dropping from 35 to 33 is certainly nothing to be upset about. His percentages are still sterling, and the only real issue so far is a slight turnover issue. This guy is gonna be unreal. 2. Jesse Epstein PG 21 6'2'' 175 B+ B+ C B C A LR: 2
 Almost slotted him ahead of Jimmy, as his turnovers are only slightly higher at a much more TO-prone position, plus he's putting up almost as many points on even better FG%. But at that point, we're splitting hairs. Jimmy and Jesse are a cut above the rest in this rookie class. 3. Alonzo Mourning C 22 6'10'' 245 A- C D+ A- B+ B LR: 3
 If Jimmy and Jesse are tier 1, then the next 3 players are tier 2, and all look like superstars in the making as well. Zo's strong defense give him the bump here, but he's gotta start shooting the rock a little better from the field or he may find himself slipping a rank or two in the final rankings. 4. Billy Hoyle SG 23 6'3'' 190 C A- C B- C B LR: 5
 Any other season and we'd be raving about the season Hoyle is having in Golden State, where he's at nearly 25 PPG on some strong efficiency. Great looking player. 5. Shaquille O'Neal C 21 7'1'' 330 A+ D+ C B+ A B LR: 4
 I'm pained to rank Shaq this low, as I think he's had a great rookie season thusfar. I just can't bump him above any of the others on the list so far. Keep your head held high, big fella. 6. Christian Laettner PF 22 6'11'' 235 B- B C- B B- A LR: 6
 A gigantic chasm between #5 and #6. Not to take away anything from Laettner, who is doing some good things in his own right. He's got a few improvement areas needed, but he's got the makings of a good offensive big who will likely thrive in an outside offense. 7. Sidney Deane PG 22 6'0'' 180 C+ A- A- B- C- B LR: 10
 It's a little tough to put someone getting only 11 minutes a game this high, but what Deane has done in limited minutes is impressive. He's going to be brought along slowly in Philly, but he should make a great replacement for Rowdy down the line. 8. Willie Lewis PG 22 5'10'' 190 C+ B+ B- B+ D+ A LR: Unranked
 The 2nd round sleeper seems to be playing well on his new team in Milwaukee, albeit with some limited minutes as well. Still, Trofie did well to get Willie included in the Jabari deal. 9. Bryant Stith SG 21 6'5'' 208 B- B C C+ C+ A LR: 8
 Stith could stand to shoot the rock a little better, but he's rebounding it pretty well for a guard and I like where he's at in his rookie season. 10. Lee Mayberry PG 22 6'1'' 192 C B B+ C+ D+ B LR: Unranked
 The Seattle rookie PGs swap places, this time with Tony Bennett on the outside looking in. Mayberry has a good looking jumper, and while he's not exactly a volume shooter, he's putting up some solid numbers in the PG platoon. Previously ranked: Dave Johnson, Tony Bennett |
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