Kia Rookie Ladder: Ball LaMelo holds No. 1 place after the first three weeks

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No. 3 full-time LaMelo Ball has been electric for Charlotte to start the season.

In the most convincing time that this is a non – controversial season for NBA spies, we will do our best to keep this Kia Rookie Driver as reliable and traditional as possible.

Ever in league history there have been a handful of eager youngsters who had to get off the court prematurely and sit around for months while dealing with COVID-19 concerns and the viruses shutting down long and wide.

They never had to wait until November to hear their names in the Draft, and then only in remote fashion. It was great to see them gathered by family and friends, all their views captured on video during the election. However, walking on that platform at the Barclays Center to shake the commissioner’s hand was what they had been dreaming of, without parking on their bed.

And never before has a class of rookies been thrown almost instantly into a veterans training camp, preseason games and real NBA duty, all coming in a hurry for nearly a month. What is usually a very entertaining (and challenging enough) runway to a rookie season – workouts in his new hometown, the Las Vegas Summer League baptism, another two months to adjust to the professional life of the rookie. both on and off the court, followed by a month of camp and preseason – brought in to 34 days, Vegas was completely wiped out.

But still…

A big dark cloud, meeting an undeniable silver lining: Class 2020s usually find no relief or go back to the predicament of their predators. Selected players near the top have shown off their skills. And save for a few (like Killian Hayes, Obi Toppin, Jalen Smith) who have been plagued by injury or virus protocols, no one has succumbed to the scouting reports their gigs have received.

This is especially worth noting when considering this year’s rookie class idea before they were drafted, that they are role players and projects but not necessarily the No. 1 certified star.

Some of the most exciting players and memorable performances in the herky-jerky, masked-up and largely empty season have come from the new boys. So without further ado, this is the first installment of our weekly rankings.

Top 5 this week in the 2020-21 Kia Rookie Driver:

(All stats through Tuesday, January 12)

1. Ball LaMelo, Charlotte Hornets

Season Stats: 12.4 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 6.0 apg

LaMelo Ball made history as the youngest player ever to record a triple.

One of the best things one can say about a rookie is that it affects his team’s ability to win. Look, a lot of first-year players make mistakes that can cost a game here or there, and there are many who don’t log enough minutes to get credit or blame it all. side. But Ball has made a good impact on the Hornets ’6-5 start, a clear step up from last season’s 23-42 mark. The 6-foot-8 point guard leads Charlotte in rebounding rating and player efficiency (19.5). He runs right behind Devonte starter Graham (6.5) in assisting and capturing attention by becoming the youngest player in NBA history to post a double post (22 points, 12 rebound, 11 assists against Atlanta last weekend). And while his light passing earns him spots on the reels of view, his reversal – shutting out big players and jumping his jumps – has been an asset. regular. The meaning in Charlotte is that Ball puts plays of material even when they are not elegant.

2. James Wiseman, Heroes of the Golden State

Season Stats: 10.9 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 1.5 bpg

Check out some of James Wiseman’s best plays this season.

There was nothing against Ball, but there were reasons Charlotte was talked about as considering trading up to snag Wiseman. And if given the chance, they would exchange the crow right now. Despite playing just three games in college and being off a competitive court for about a year, Wiseman has taken a step back from bad work at Golden State and has immediately delivered value. The scenes of grandeur are becoming more frequent, whether it’s opposite, going back towards the basket or guarding the edge at a rate of 1.5 blocks per night. There are league execs that already tell you that while Ball may end up as Rookie of the Year this year, Wiseman is their favorite man five years from now.

3. Tyrese Haliburton, Kings of Sacramento

Season Stats: 12.1 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 5.3 apg

Tyrese Haliburton is already coming up with a cliff for the Kings.

Haliburton, a freshman out of Iowa State, spoke publicly about his goal of becoming Rookie of the Year this season. That would make it top among Class 2020, but the 6-foot-5 point guard is already among the best of Sacramento’s young talent pack. His passing ability has delighted King’s coaches – his average assist is closer to a Ball than other spies close by. He goes nicely with De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield. And it has 50% accuracy from the attractive arc – it takes almost 60% of its images from a 3-point range and hits half of them.

4. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves

Season Stats: 13.6 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.0 apg

While a consensus selection was barely made at No. 1 in the Draft, Edwards has shown much of the potential that gave him that spirit. He gives the Timberwolves some of what they need, such as scoring a punch (he guides his classmates in that division) and scenes of explosive-based greatness and his energy-ability. acting. Other things the Wolves want? Not so much. Edwards’ shooting is grim, he doesn’t use his ability to attack the edge to earn trips to the false line and there’s not much to note defensively. Maybe we should assume that Minnesota hasn’t started yet.

5. Patrick Williams, Chicago Bulls

Season Stats: 10.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 1.0 apg

The deeper we get into the season, the more people will name this: Williams came off the bench for the 29 games he played at Florida State, but he has started his career. -every game he’s played like a pro. Part of that is optics – the Bulls had to quickly show what they liked so much about freshman reserve to become a No. 4 pick. But a bigger part is Williams’ versatility, his ability to put on a bad team. It’s a natural 3-and-D, it seems: Williams ’3-point shot has been deceptive (45.8%), and even LeBron James praised his defensive work. In another time, the 6-foot-8 forward may have been dismissed as a ” tweener, ‘but today he’s one of those lesser-known GMs. .

Next five:

6. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers

Season Stats: 10.5 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 2.2 apg

Taking a chance – as Maxey scored 39 points against Denver for a thin Sixers roster – is crucial for spies.

7. Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics

Season Stats: 8.6 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.1 apg

There will be a high enough run for the bottom Draft selection (No. 26) on our ladder, but beating game winners (Jan. 6 vs. Miami) will do just that.

8. Deni Avdija, Washington Wizards

Season Stats: 7.0 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 2.2 apg

Fits in as a 20 – year – old established player.

9. Cole Anthony, Orlando Magic

Season Stats: 9.5 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 3.1 apg

Markelle Fultz’s injury means more minutes, more challenges.

10. Saddiq Bey, Pistons Detroit

Season Stats: 10.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 0.9 apg

Danger of relapse and deep sharing the attention of Detroit newbie by Isaiah Stewart.

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Steve Aschburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. You can email him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.

The comments on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting

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