NBA 2018-19: Top 5 Potential Rookie of the Year candidates so far
Any NBA season has its intrigues, successes and failures. Every year, the NBA rookie class presents us with all three aspects. Sometimes the highest ranking draft picks are the least successful. Sometimes the least likely rookies provide the biggest highlights. Those successes and failures are usually linked to a variety of factors from the team that drafts a certain player to the system the players are playing under.
Some rookies learn quicker than others. As the new season progresses, it is always intriguing to see how the new rookie class fits in. In 2018, the top five draft picks were, Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, Luka Doncic, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Trae Young. That was the Draft order. As of today , the battle for Rookie of the Year is a scrutiny of the stats and impact these young men have had, in the NBA, so far from the 2018 draft.
Also read: The Favorites to win NBA Rookie of The Year 2018-19
The potential candidates so far for rookie of the year are as follows.
#1 Luka Doncic
The Slovenian power forward, traded at the 2018 draft, to the Dallas Mavericks, has had the biggest rookie impact this season, not only in the league but, for his team. The Dallas Mavericks who were 24-58 last season are 9th in the NBA’s Western Conference at 12-11.
Also, with Dirk Nowitzki quite possibly, in his last season, after a 21-year hall of fame career, Doncic is the present and future, for the Mavericks. Doncic displays a variety of skills, which he employs, at highly effective levels. He can use his dribble to create shots that a defender has taken away. He can beat a defender off the dribble, getting to the basket.
Doncic uses the step back effectively to create shots and his ball handling is very good. Doncic is a splendid passer, as well. He is a good shooter, from distance and mid-range too.
So far, Doncic has amassed averages of 18.1 points per game, 6.5 rebounds per game and 4.3 assists per game. Doncic is currently averaging 32.5 minutes per games and sports a field goal average of 43.8% and 3 point average of 38.2%. At this stage, of the season, Doncic, the 3rd overall pick, of the draft, would be the rookie of the year.