This year’s draft could be one of the best in recent years. SPOX accompanies the rookies during their first year and compiles a ranking of the winners in the race for the Rookie of the Year award.
Note: This ranking should be taken with caution after a week or so, as the evaluation period is very short. It should reflect the impressions of the first games.
Stats: 4 games, 18.9 minutes, 6.0 points, 1.8 assists, 33 percent FG, 50 percent free throws
Let’s start with the nursing case among the young. The No. 1 pick is a big conundrum, above all because of its throw, which it changed freely in the summer according to coach Brett Brown. 50 percent of the line and an air ball are really not a glory sheet, but not only his free-throw throws raise questions. At college he took the threesome regularly and scored a good 41.3 percent, but in the first few games he did not even consistently take the throw from the midrange. Fultz’s self-confidence seemed to have disappeared completely.
The rumor mill cooked accordingly. Is he more seriously injured on the shoulder than expected? Now the confirmation came. The No. 1 pick actually changed its release because the shoulder pain is so severe. The Sixers and their medical department gave a very weak picture again. Why did Fultz play when he can’t even throw the ball properly?
A source of fire was thus created, which only made the rookie and his “new litter” into a mockery. He wasn’t doing him any favors. Perhaps his forced pause now turns out to be the right move: The Sixers announced that he will suspend the next three games. Ideally, Fultz can then restart healthily from scratch.
The ex-Bamberger has indeed bitten his way through and is a part of the Celtics rotation so far, because they can use his strong defense and his hustle well. General Manager Danny Ainge gave him a big thumbs-up:”He may be a rookie, but he plays like a real veteran.”
Of course, Theis also benefits from the Celtics’ thin front court, which should not diminish his performance. Against the Sixers, the international player was even the first player from the bank. His best game so far was against the Knicks when he was allowed 20 minutes and used them for strong 11 points, 5 rebounds and 2 blocks.
As far as Theis is concerned, Kleber is not yet, but this is also due to the overloaded frontcourt of the Mavs. Until now, only minutes in the garbage time for the former Bayern player have been lost. But when he was standing on the field, Kleber made a good figure.
Unlike in the preseason, the Power Forward dared to take individual drives by surprise. Against Houston, he scored 5 points in 12 minutes and a steal on two of his three successful throws. While he will continue to use his short spells in this way, he is likely to get a few more chances in the course of the season.
Stats: 4 games, 18.8 minutes, 5.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 52.9 percent FG
You can start your career better. Isaac actually managed to forget his jersey in the cabin when he made his debut. But apart from this little incident, the big guy’s doing really well. The numbers don’t look sexy at all, but Isaac scored points with coach Frank Vogel’s defence.
Due to Aaron Gordon’s temporary retirement, the Florida State graduate was allowed to start twice, with Brooklyn’s side also hinting at his range. So it can offer ring protection and in case of doubt it can sink a threesome – so you always find a job in the league.
Vogel is also satisfied with his protégé:”He is ready for the league and can already help us at the defensive end. For the moment, Isaac is not needed for scoring purposes, but here too, approaches are already evident.
Page 1: The Germans, Fultz, Honorable Mentions, Place 10
Page 2: Places 9 to 7
Page 3: Seats 6 to 4
Page 4: Seats 3 to 1