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Sunday, November 5, 2017
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The 2017 NBA rookie showcase
WE’RE entering the third week of the new NBA season and let’s check on how the top 10 new kids on the block are faring, beginning from the top pick down to the 10th pick.
MARKELLE FULTZ – Philadelphia’s top choice had only played four games averaging 19 minutes off the bench with 6 points, 2 rebounds and almost 2 assists. He will be out for some time because of an injured right shoulder which has greatly affected his shooting form. Is there a rookie jinx in Philly? The Process Era began in 2013 with Nerlens Noel, Joel Imbiid in 2014, Jahlil Okafor in 2015 and Ben Simmons in 2016. They all spent majority of their rookie years in sick bay. And now here comes Fultz.
LONZO BALL – Sometimes, we get a lot of Ball from people covering the NBA that other notable performances were mere afterthoughts. He has played a total of 6 games for the Lakers and had submitted decent per game averages of 10 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.7 assists, and 1.3 steals. The numbers show that Lonzo is a team player but sometimes he needs to also shoot the ball instead of always looking for the open teammate.
JAYSON TATUM – He is Boston’s starting power forward and so far had shown that he belongs with the frontcourt players of the league. He had 22 points in their win over New York and followed it up with a 20-point output in a victory over Miami. Tatum is averaging 15.2 points and 6.3 rebounds per outing and with Gordon Hayward still recovering, expect his production to balloon.
JOSH JACKSON – Under Coach Earl Watson, Jackson averaged 11.6 points in 28 minutes. His minutes and production dropped under new coach Jay Triano but his rebounding improved. Phoenix will be expecting more improvement from their rookie starting forward’s 10.7 points per game average as the season progresses.
DE’AARON FOX – Coming off the bench for Sacramento after veteran George Hill at point, Fox is doing better than the two point guards picked ahead of him, Fultz and Ball, and this early, he had been impressive and had shown better numbers than both. He will learn some valuable lessons from Hill and once he gets the feel of the game, he could be starting for the Kings by midseason. In 28 minutes of playing time, he scores almost 15 points, grabs 4 rebounds and gives 5 assists.
JONATHAN ISAAC – Orlando’s sixth pick is still trying to adjust and is struggling to make his presence felt. He has big shoes to fill as he comes off the bench for the high flying Aaron Gordon. He’s still 20 years old and has ample time to improve on his current per game averages of 5.6 points and 4.4 points.
LAURI MARKKANEN – Because Chicago is missing Bobby Portis and Nikola Mirotic due to their violent love spat, they’re making do with their import from Finland and so far he has delivered. With Robin Lopez at center and Markkanen at forward, the Bulls have two frontcourt starters standing at 7 feet. That’s it. They’re so talent challenged that they only have a win to show in five games. At least the Finn is giving out 15 points and almost 10 rebounds in 32 minutes.
FRANK NTILIKINA – Injuries prevented the 19-year Frenchman from playing in the summer league and missed all but one game in the preseason. He then missed two of New York’s first three games because of a sprained ankle. He came back with poise in his first home game and helped beating Brooklyn with 9 points, 5 assists, a steal and solid defense. According to team sources, he will be one of the Knicks’ cornerstones for their rebuild. A 6-5 point guard, he comes off the bench after Ramon Sessions and Jarret Jack.
DENNIS SMITH JR. – He is an athletic point guard doing better than Fultz and Ball for the moment and was picked ninth by the Dallas Mavericks. In five games and playing for 30 minutes, he averaged 13 points, 3 rebounds and almost 7 assists. Since missing two games due to a knee injury, he has played four consecutive games but he was a nonfactor in their recent loss to Utah. Dallas only has a win in seven games so far.
ZACH COLLINS – Because the Blazers have an ample supply of big men, the 7-foot reserve center had only seen action twice for Portland in very limited minutes. As to points and rebounds, he still has to fill the stat sheets.
Other rookies to watch this season are Donovan Mitchell of Utah, Malik Monk of Charlotte, Luke Kennard of Detroit, Portland’s Caleb Swanigan, the LA Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma, Bam Adebayo of Miami, and Ike Anigbogu of Indiana./PN
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