After a full week of NBA action, it’s time for a top-five rookie rankings.
Why not? Seasons lasting 82 games need some excitement in the early goings.
The 2013-2014 campaign has featured noteworthy play from small and big men alike. First-year point guards and centers have especially made their presence felt.
The most intriguing aspect of this list lies in the fact that mid- and late-round draft picks have outshined their more illustrious early-round counterparts. With the exception of one prospect, each selection in this top five went no higher than No. 11 overall.
Better yet, the man occupying our No. 2 slot went entirely undrafted. And Anthony Bennett, the first overall pick in this year’s draft, couldn’t sniff a top 59. There were 60 draftees.
Let’s dive in.
5. Steven Adams, Center, Oklahoma City Thunder
Steven Adams arrived to the great state of Oklahoma via the No. 12 overall pick.
Adams entered the 2013 NBA draft after a brief one-year stint at the University of Pittsburgh. He registered per-game totals of 7.6 points and 6.3 rebounds during his lone NCAA campaign.
The native Kiwi fills the classic big-man prototype at 7’0’’, 255 pounds. He possesses exceptional length, athleticism and physicality. He also comes into the league as a great defender and disciplined rebounder.
Through four games thus far, Adams has come off the bench behind ornery center Kendrick Perkins and has averaged 17.5 minutes. He has produced a stat line of 4.5 PPG, 6.0 RPG and 0.8 BLKPG for Oklahoma City.
Among the rookie class, he ranks second in rebounds and fourth in blocks. His 17.34 PER, or player efficiency rating, is the second-highest on this list. The league average is 15.00.
Adams’ natural born gifts do not currently lend themselves to an offensive skill set. He will require extensive time developing that part of his game.
Fortunately for the Thunder, Adams suits their needs just fine. He brings a tenacious defensive-minded attitude to a defensive-minded team.
Contributing on the offensive end would certainly be a plus. But Oklahoma can wait. It will receive ample scoring from the league’s best in Kevin Durant, in addition to the explosive output from Russell Westbrook and up-and-coming Jeremy Lamb.
Adams will defend and rebound his way to rookie respectability.
4. Nate Wolters, Point Guard, Milwaukee Bucks
Nate Wolters enjoyed a productive four-year career for South Dakota State. He averaged 18.5 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 5.3 APG and 1.5 STLPG. He shot .342 from three-point range and .450 overall.
The second-round pick—originally No. 8 overall to the Washington Wizards—has been a pleasant surprise for Milwaukee. Wolters reached double-digit scoring in his second NBA game (14 points against the Boston Celtics) and dished out double-digit assists (10) in his first career start against the Toronto Raptors.
Wolters has compiled 9.8 PPG, 3.8 RPG and 6.5 APG for the Bucks through four games. He has also shot a rookie-best .917 from the line and has averaged 32 minutes, second most among first-year players. His assist totals place him in a similar ranking.
The 6’5’’, 196-pound point guard will provide reliable scoring off the bench. He will also distribute and run the offense efficiently when called upon by the Bucks.
Wolters is definitely a reserve worth watching.
3. Vitor Faverani, Center, Boston Celtics
Positive developments are a rare phenomenon in Celtics country these days.
Boston has just one win after a miserable 0-4 start. The current starting-five resembles a collection of bench players. This just isn’t a properly functioning team.
Rookie head coach Brad Stevens seems destined for a long and arduous campaign.
Luckily for Stevens, Vitor Faverani has served as the Portuguese second coming.
The 6’11’’, 260-pound native of Brazil signed with Boston in July following the conclusion of the draft. He quickly ascended atop the Celtics’ depth chart and has started all five games.
Faverani leads the rookie class with 6.4 RPG, 2.2 BPG and a .483 field goal percentage. He is an underrated, yet tremendous shot-blocker and rebounder. He also averaged 12.5 points in his first two starts and even registered a double-double (12 PTS, 18 REB) against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Expect solid production from this international big-man for an otherwise desperate Celtics squad rebuilding for the future.
2. Victor Oladipo, Shooting Guard, Orlando Magic
Well, at least one top-five selection has honored his lofty draft status.
Victor Oladipo has performed at a high level through the opening five games for the Orlando Magic. The No. 2 overall pick has scored in double figures every time out when coming off the bench for Arron Afflalo.
Oladipo’s per-game averages include 13.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals, which rank second, fourth, fourth and second, respectively, among his first-year classmen. He is also knocking down threes at a .385 clip, good for tops among rookies.
The majority of these numbers eclipse his career marks from Indiana as well. Not too shabby indeed considering the massive expectations placed on this young man.
The city of Orlando needed a resurgent spark after the odious Dwight Howard debacle. Fans needed a reason to put their butts in the seats.
Oladipo has provided that excitement with quality play on both ends of the floor. He may not be Dwyane Wade just yet, but the Magic faithful can place their loyalty in No. 5 for the time being.
1. Michael Carter-Williams, Point Guard, Philadelphia 76ers
Okay, so, weren’t the 76ers supposed to tank in 2013-2014?
Apparently not—just ask their first-round draft pick.
The Sixers have roared out of the gate behind stellar point man Michael Carter-Williams. His rookie-leading 19.8 PPG, 7.6 APG and 21.42 PER have propelled Philadelphia to first place in the Atlantic Division (3-2).
Two consecutive defeats have calmed things down a bit in the City of Brotherly Love. But top-three rookie marks in rebounds (5.0 RPG), steals (3.0 STLPG) and three-point percentage (.357) from Carter-Williams have kept spirits high.
It’s clear that MCW’s 6’6’’ length, defensive strengths and facilitating prowess bode well for his NBA future. Look no further than his 22 PTS, 7 REB, 12 AST, 9 STL and 4-of-6 three-point shooting performance against the reigning champion Miami Heat. The same goes for his 26 PTS, 4 REB, 10 AST and 3 STL against the Chicago Bulls, another Eastern Conference power.
Each of those remarkable outings produced big-time wins for a supposedly tank-worthy Sixers club.
Now, beating the Heat or Bulls in the Conference Finals probably won’t materialize for the 76ers this season.
With Carter-Williams pacing things on the hardwood, though, basketball will still generate some positivity in the Philadelphia community, and certainly for the nation at large.
Attention NBA—MCW is here to stay.
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