NBA Rookies
The 2017 crop of NBA rookies have a dozen games under their belts. Lonzo has had a few flashes of stardom, but mostly moments of despair. Markelle Fultz is watching from the sidelines thanks to some suspicious shoulder ailment. And Frank Ntilikina is getting in dust ups with LeBron. The storylines are endless, but here are the three rookies that I have been most impressed with
1. Jayson Tatum. The Celtics first-year is destined for stardom. When Gordon Hayward went down on opening night, many wrote Boston off. Tatum wasn’t having it. Stepping in for the hobbled Hayward, the rookie out of Duke is putting up 14 points per game while shooting 48% from three. That number is not sustainable, but it he can remain over 40%, with his mid-range capabilities, Tatum will be a bona fide All-Star for the next decade. I liken him to a young Carmelo Anthony that is actually engaged on defense. The future of the Eastern Conference resides in Boston.
2. Dennis Smith Jr. Got Bounce? Dennis Smith Jr. has pogo sticks for legs. His athleticism, in a league filled with mesmerizing specimens, stands out like a sore thumb. Not only is DSJ uber-athletic, but he also has unteachable instincts. Yes, the Mavericks are going to struggle this year, but with Dennis Smith Jr. in the fold Mark Cuban has to feel good about his team moving forward.
3. Lauri Markkanen. I was not very high on Markkanen leading up to the Draft. I saw him as a lean, timid, unpolished big man. Boy, was I wrong. The Bulls rookie looks like Dirk 2.0. At 7-feet, the Finnish 5-man is averaging 15 points and 8 boards while leading the Bulls in three-pointers made. If Markkanen can add some weight to his frame while also improving in the post, there is no doubt in my mind that he can become the centerpiece of the Bulls franchise.
