The Rookie Watch is back in the new year with its third edition. Rarely have there been so many good newbie in the breadth. But also the race at the top has become much narrower. How are the Germans doing and who is the disappointment of the drafts so far? The Great Rookie Watch clears up.
Josh Jackson is something like the forgotten pick of the vintage. The former Kansas Jayhawk has not yet found his place in the Sun’s mess. He started the season as a Power Forward and after Devin Booker’s injury he suddenly played shooting guard. But since Suns star Jackson has been taken out of the Starting Five by coach Jay Triano and recently even collected a DNP CD.
The problem is obvious: Jackson couldn’t transfer his game to the NBA yet. The forward is having trouble firing his litter. For many rookies this is a matter of self-confidence, but this shouldn’t really apply to Jackson. Especially without bookers he had a lot of liberties, he has not used them so far.
Due to the lack of distance throwing, Jackson tried to attack the zone but was not able to beat his opponent. The result was often floaters or stepbacks with one hand in the face. The fact that Jackson’s body language is not always good doesn’t make it any easier:”I don’t have any guidelines for using certain players,”explained Triano.
Thanks to the strong performance of T. J. Warren is the position of the Small Forward blocked and also Sophomore Marquese Chriss made recent progress. It’s a complicated situation in Phoenix, but at least by the end of the season Jackson should see more time when Phoenix is likely to refuel.
Maxi glue
No, glue in the Starting Five is not a flash in the pan. The second man from Würzburg in the Mavs squad played a significant part in the Mavs playing like a disguised playoff team after a weak start. Kleber has made a name for himself with Coach Rick Carlisle above all through his reliability in defence. Whether it’s an edge such as LaMarcus Aldridge or a faster opponent: Adhesive can contain the damage, an important factor, as fellow man Dirk Nowitzki is subject to certain limitations at the age of just under 40 years.
His Help Defense might also be known in the league now, after he celebrated against Celtics and the Raptors personal block parties (5 rejections each) and caught some opponents on the wrong foot. On the other hand, adhesive is used only sparsely. Nevertheless, he is always good for a spectacular Alley-Oop-Dunk and his three-way out of the corner has to be respected at least.
Daniel Theis
Like adhesive, Theis is also a constant in the Celtics rotation, even though he doesn’t start. Coach Brad Stevens once again highlighted the achievements of the German. The big one knows his role, plays a passionate defensive role and rolls resolutely to the basket in the attack after the pick’ n’ roll.
The return of Marcus Morris brought back the season for Theis a little, but Stevens is known for rolling through his formations. So Theis played the Bulls for the last 18 minutes of the game and scored a career high of 15 rebounds. Also 8 hits with 8 attempts at the free-throw line were a personal best performance.
Page 1: Disappointment and the Germans
Page 2: Honorable Mentions, The Hardship Case, Place 10
Page 3: Places 9 to 7
Page 4: Seats 6 to 4
Page 5: Seats 3 to 1