The NBA season is only a week old but we’re already seeing this year’s rookie class make an impact, especially the players at the top of the draft. Top overall pick Karl-Anthony Towns has lived up to his billing with the Timberwolves, as the big man is averaging 21.0 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks during the first two games of his career, making him the early leader in each of those categories.
The No. 2 pick, D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers, is off to a much slower start as he learns the intricacies of playing the point in the NBA, but he’s still averaging 9.0 points and 1.7 assists as a rotation player. Meanwhile, center Jahlil Okafor is playing heavy minutes and turning heads with the Sixers, averaging 18.0 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.0 blocks through the first two games of his career.
Emmanuel Mudiay has been handed the keys to the Nuggets’ offense but, like Russell, he’s in the early stages of his adjustment period. He’s averaging 6.3 turnovers while shooting 33.3% but he’s also showing his potential by averaging 12.7 points, 5.3 assists and 3.7 rebounds.
Kristaps Porzingis appears to be handling the New York spotlight well enough, as the stretch four is averaging 11.3 points in 23.7 minutes, despite shooting 37.0%. Another Knicks rookie, Jerian Grant, has emerged as a surprise candidate to take over the point guard spot while averaging 7.3 points, 4.0 assists and as many steals (2.0) as turnovers.
Kings power forward Willie Cauley-Stein (9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.3 blocks), Rockets power forward Montrezl Harrell (10.7 points, 3.7 rebounds) and Pistons small forward Stanley Johnson (8.3 points, 4.3 rebounds) are some of the other rookies who have given their respective teams a boost.
Thus, our question of the day is: Will Karl-Anthony Towns win the league’s Rookie of the Year award? If not, which player will emerge from the pack to claim the prize?
Please take to the comments section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic. We look forward to what you have to say.
It will come down to Karl Anthony-Towns, Jahlil Okafor and Emmanuel Mudiay. KAT the obvious leader at the moment, though it’s early in the season.
In terms of talent and opportunity, that certainly appears to be the leading trio.
This is Okafor’s award to lose, as far as I’m concerned. He’s going to get a ton of touches for Philly. He’s already averaging 18 points on 14 shots a game, and he’ll get more.
I would guess okafor as well. He already the best offensive player on the team
KAT should get the ROY. The only thing that’ll stop him is if KG, Prince and even Wiggins start becoming a bigger piece of the TWolves offense. Rubio has big assist numbers and the majority are to Towns. Wiggins has been dealing with a back ailment.. I think it’s KAT, because he’s more rounded. I’m from Minny and KAT had a huge game two nights in a row. I was a little worried when Okafor almost dropped thirty. However, Okafor gets points.. KAT seems (so far) to get points, rebounds and blocks. He’s also a good passer out of the block. The wolves need to start hitting his open 3 passes to help him get assists. He still had an affect on the game against the Blazers and appeared to be off. That’s the true sign of a competitor. Change the game in multiple ways. I’m excited for the future finally and it’s fun to watch guards get the ball sent out of bounds by KAT on dribble drives. Looks like KG, but his offensive game is more advanced KG was at this stage.
Towns couldn’t show his offensive game much in Kentucky, as he had to share the spotlight with a bevy of other All-Americans. We’re now seeing the full range of his talent. Okafor is such a polished low-post threat, and the Sixers are so starved for offense, that he’s bound to put up big numbers. If they stay healthy, it’s going to be a close race.
Still hoping for RJ Hunter to get playing time !!
The Celtics have a lot of options at that position.