NBA Preview: Rising rookies
Another source of intrigue surrounding the 2017-18 NBA season was the immense talent of the incoming rookie class. From flat-out ballers to Big Ballers, this rookie class has the tools to be one of the best in history.
Dennis Smith Jr: The Dallas Mavericks point guard was chosen ninth in the draft and has already received high praise for his tremendous athleticism and limitless potential. Many teams passed on Smith in this year’s draft, but his highlight-reel plays are surely making those teams regret passing on the North Carolina State product.
Markelle Fultz: The Philadelphia 76ers made Washington point guard Fultz the first overall pick in the draft, but he has been disappointing thus far. Fultz is currently nursing a shoulder injury, but his superstar potential and lethal scoring ability should develop once he returns. Fultz will just have to “Trust the Process.”
Ben Simmons: Speaking of the 76ers, last year’s number one overall pick Ben Simmons has emerged as the early favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. Simmons missed all of last season with a broken foot, but in his debut month, he has flashed that jaw-dropping playmaking ability that made him the focal point of the Sixers’ rebuilding process.
Lonzo Ball: Thanks in large part to his father LaVar Ball, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo might be the most talked-about rookie since LeBron James. The flashiness he showed last year as a freshman at UCLA made him the second overall pick in this year’s draft. Ball has struggled on the offensive side of the game thus far, but the sky’s the limit for the Big Baller.
Kyle Kuzma: So far the steal of the draft, the Lakers drafted former Utah forward Kyle Kuzma with the 27th overall pick and he is arguably making a bigger impact for the Lakers than his teammate Lonzo Ball. Kuzma has already earned a spot in the starting lineup after starting the season on the bench and he figures to be a focal point of the Lakers’ future plans.
Jayson Tatum: The most NBA-ready prospect in the draft class, Tatum has already proven to be an immediate commodity for the contending Boston Celtics. The Duke product has shot extremely well from the field and should continue to compete atop the Celtics’ lineup.
Markelle Fultz: The Philadelphia 76ers made Washington point guard Fultz the first overall pick in the draft, but he has been disappointing thus far. Fultz is currently nursing a shoulder injury, but his superstar potential and lethal scoring ability should develop once he returns. Fultz will just have to “Trust the Process.”
Ben Simmons: Speaking of the 76ers, last year’s number one overall pick Ben Simmons has emerged as the early favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award. Simmons missed all of last season with a broken foot, but in his debut month, he has flashed that jaw-dropping playmaking ability that made him the focal point of the Sixers’ rebuilding process.
Lonzo Ball: Thanks in large part to his father LaVar Ball, Los Angeles Lakers point guard Lonzo might be the most talked-about rookie since LeBron James. The flashiness he showed last year as a freshman at UCLA made him the second overall pick in this year’s draft. Ball has struggled on the offensive side of the game thus far, but the sky’s the limit for the Big Baller.
Kyle Kuzma: So far the steal of the draft, the Lakers drafted former Utah forward Kyle Kuzma with the 27th overall pick and he is arguably making a bigger impact for the Lakers than his teammate Lonzo Ball. Kuzma has already earned a spot in the starting lineup after starting the season on the bench and he figures to be a focal point of the Lakers’ future plans.
Jayson Tatum: The most NBA-ready prospect in the draft class, Tatum has already proven to be an immediate commodity for the contending Boston Celtics. The Duke product has shot extremely well from the field and should continue to compete atop the Celtics’ lineup.