NBA Rookie Report 2021

[Hassan Darkside]

Since we always have a thread dedicated to the incoming rookie class, figured I'd create a thread dedicated to discussing this year's actual rookie class. Some of us don't have the privilege of imagining what playing in the playoffs is like since for the past 9 months the NBA imagined our teams didn't exist.

Who are y'all paying attention to? Who's impressing you? Who's disappointing? Who were you right and who were you wrong about?

[ehh]

From my limited preseason watching...

• Killian Hayes will take time. 2-3 year developmental guy. He had plenty of bad moments against the Knicks but you can see his potential. Has no right hand, as advertised.
• Saddiq Bey looks solid, like the 3 & D guy he's supposed to be. His form is pretty funky, very low release point.
• Okoro didn't do much to stand out vs the Knicks though he was in foul trouble.
• Toppin looks okay, explosive leaper. 3PT shot doesn't look awful but he's not making them (1/10). His offensive game needs some polish. In general he's rushing a bit, typical rookie jitters. Plays the right way: the ball doesn't stick, unselfish, etc. As bad as advertised on defense, poor lateral agility.
• In short time Quickley will probably the best point guard on the Knicks, even though he's not a true PG. Plays with fire.

[Hassan Darkside]

Okoro has surprised me with his shooting. Teams played way off him in college but so far in the preseason he's 5/8 and his form looks solid with his feet set. On the flip, he was getting comps to Iguodala and I don't see that explosive athleticism at all, unless people mean the Iguodala of the last few years. He also looks a little smaller on the court than I thought he might be, but he does play his butt off.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Deni, LaMelo, Hayes and Okoro will be the main ones I’ll be paying attention to.

[ehh]

Do any Kings fans want to chime in on Haliburton? He's had some nice defensive moments and had a box-score-stuffing game vs GSW.

[ehh]

It's disappointing that this thread is so quiet!

Some debuts...

• Edwards: 15/4/4 on 5/12, 1/5 3PA
• Wiseman: 19/6/0 with 2 steals.
• Hayes: 7/3/1 with 4 turnovers. 3/6 FGA.
• LaMelo: 0/3/1 and two steals. 0/5 FGA in 15 minutes.
• Okoro: 11/5/3 on 4/5 FGA.
• Anthony: 6/2/6 in 20 minutes.
• Deni: 7/4/1 on two FGA. 28 minutes.
• P. Williams: 16/4/1 plus 1 stl and 1 blk. 33 minutes.
• Vassell: 3/3/0 in 20 min.
• Toppin: 9/3/1 with 2 blks on 3/12 FGA, 3/7 3PA (including one banked in).
• Haliburton: 12/2/4 with a blk in 30 minutes.
• K. Lewis: DNP

[Cyrus09]

Quote: Originally Posted by ehh

Do any Kings fans want to chime in on Haliburton? He's had some nice defensive moments and had a box-score-stuffing game vs GSW.

Late to this, but still worth some words. This guy will be in the league forever and has the potential to be a huge star.
He is just so polished already. He seems to be the best passer on the Kings already, his defense looks great. His shot looks bad, but he makes them and has to be respected from 3. I still wait for his first bad decision on offense.

It's telling how much Walton is trusting him. Takes crucial Inbounds, plays crunch time. He already plays like a 5 year pro and that without a real preperation with the team. What a steal!

[ehh]

Quote: Originally Posted by Cyrus09

Late to this, but still worth some words. This guy will be in the league forever and has the potential to be a huge star. He is just so polished already. He seems to be the best passer on the Kings already, his defense looks great. His shot looks bad, but he makes them and has to be respected from 3. I still wait for his first bad decision on offense. It's telling how much Walton is trusting him. Takes crucial Inbounds, plays crunch time. He already plays like a 5 year pro and that without a real preperation with the team. What a steal!

As a Knicks fan, I die a little bit inside every time I watch his highlights. He looked very good last night, everything you want in a winning player.