The NBA Rookie Report: Week 1

Week 1 is done but has it lived up to the hype? It’s tough to have a verdict already but the season is looking promising. The favourites for Rookie of the Year have started to break away from the pack and assert themselves as NBA talent, some have surprised us but also a few have let us down. Nonetheless, I’m going to break it down in the Rookie Report.

The ROTY Race: The overall number 1 selection, Deandre Ayton has already impressed with the Suns so far averaging 14.3ppg to go alongside his 10.7rpg which ties him 16th with Tristan Thompson and puts him on the top spot in the rookie leaderboards. His partnership with Booker is showing signs that it could be the Shaq and Kobe dynamic we’ve missed so much. The opinion was very much divided going into the draft on where Trae Young was going to get drafted. Many had the Oklahoma three-point specialist going anywhere from 6-10th but certainly not as the Atlanta Hawks (hypothetical) 3rd pick. He was drafted by the Mavericks with the 5th pick but was a part of a trade which sent him to the Hawks and Luka Doncic to the Mavs. Trae Young was everyone’s bust prediction but as of yet, he’s done everything he can to prove us wrong. Averaging 23ppg and 8.3apg (leading the rookie stat board) has made him the first rookie to earn the nickname, Ice Trae. The most hyped up rookie coming into the draft, none other than European starlet Luka Doncic. His flashy passing ability and the basketball IQ of a 15-year veteran are his notable assets but he does so much more than that. His shooting form is surprisingly smooth and looks fluent in his signature move – the step-back three. 18.3ppg is the eye-catching stat but all of this and he’s still adjusting to playing the Power Forward role. He could be a threat for a very long time.

The Suprise: The 30th selection in this year’s draft? I couldn’t tell you either but I think you’ll know by the end of the season. Omari Spellman, selected from Villanova, has been a pleasant surprise to the Hawks roster pitching in with 12ppg in 16 minutes, shooting 71% from the three-point line and 75% within the arc. Although, we’re unlikely to see such stats by the end of the season it’s been a bit of good fortune for the Atlanta fans and those hoping for another Jimmy Butler to unearth.

The Disappointment: I hate to put someone in this section already as it is just the first week but I’m going to anyway, so sorry Magic fans but it has to be Mo Bamba. The overall 6th pick has yet to find his feet in the league and that could be down to Joel Embiid’s rather expletive comments of “Welcome to the f*****g league” which may have affected him more than he thought they would. His 4.5ppg is disappointing but recording just 4.5rpg as well just isn’t what is expected for someone who was supposed to set the league alight. His physique just isn’t there yet compared to other rookies and the Magic trainers are not known for developing players in recent years, but I hope he is just adjusting.

It should be an interesting season of basketball with a stacked draft class and so many potential ROTY candidates, but who knows what’s in store for the rest of the season.

Taylor Toney-Green.

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