After an initial overview, the rookies now have almost all 20 games on their back at the end of November. Time to put up a rookie ladder again. The draft class continues to be incredibly low, even though there is a lot of light and some shade. Ben Simmons is enthroned above everything else and plays perhaps the best rookie season since LeBron James.
It’s gone quiet around the top pick. The guard will be missing for at least another two weeks, then the Sixers will take a second look at the damaged shoulder. However, a comeback in the next few weeks seems unlikely due to Philadelphia’s meagre information policy.
Last time the No. 6-Pick was on 11. November at the court. A sprained ankle is a problem for the big guy. It hasn’t worked for Orlando since then. Despite a relatively small role, coach Frank Vogel has already admitted that the team misses the rookie because of his game, especially defensive.
The Serbian has only played two games so far. Since then, the 30-year-old suffers from pain in the soles of his feet. Because of Patrick Beverley’s season out, the Clippers needed Teodosic, but according to information from the L. A. Times, the comeback will only take place after Christmas, possibly even in the new year.
Stats Daniel Theis: 19 games, 12.5 minutes, 3.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 51.8 percent FG
During the Celtics series of victories, a little hype developed around Theis. The former Bamberger made a name for himself with numerous hustle displays and self-sacrificing defences. Of course, he also benefited from some defaults on the big positions.
Highlights for Theis were his double-double against the Kings and his defensive show against the Lakers with 3 blocks. Most recently, however, his playing time dropped noticeably. In the past five games he did not beat the 10-minute mark any more. Against the Magic he even collected a DNP, in order to be back in the starting line-up on the weekend. Welcome to the lab of Celtics coach Brad Stevens.
Stats Maxi Glue: 14 games, 13.7 minutes, 3.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, 48.9 percent FG
Slowly the Wuerzburger gets warm with the NBA. Thanks to some injuries in the Mavs squad, Kleber was also allowed to start five times. Coach Rick Carlisle’s ex-Bavaria player is mainly on the three ball. Adhesive beats itself there considerably and had a part in the fact that the Mavs appear for some time more stable in the first quarter.
However, the German’s threesome is not very stable. Kleber could not yet get used to the NBA-Dreier. The coach doesn’t care: Carlisle, who was often not very friendly to Rookie, explicitly praised the minutes of the German. Due to his positive attitude and dedication, Kleber is regarded as a kind of anti-Noel for the Mavericks coach.
Last Ranking: not listed
Stats: 20 games, 10.7 points, 3.9 assists, 3.0 rebounds
There has been little laughter in Phoenix so far, but one of the few bright spots was the 27-year-old rookie. The Guard grabbed the chance offered by the bledsoe-drama and got stuck in the rotation. In the first half of the games James was even allowed to start.
Stemmed through several years in Europe, he organizes the sometimes chaotic Suns team. James is not so much a floor general, but rather a scoring guard who complements Devin Booker well, as he also plays more often in the current season.
Meanwhile, the future of James is still uncertain, as he is equipped with a two-way-contract. That means he’s only allowed to play in the Suns for 45 days. GM Ryan McDonough has already explained that a solution is being worked on to sign the shooting star. However, this would require the creation of a rust spot.
Page 1: The Germans, Honorable Mentions, Place 10
Page 2: Places 9 to 7
Page 3: Seats 6 to 4
Page 4: Seats 3 to 1