Rookie Report Card: 2018 Preseason
Now that the 2018 NBA Preseason has come to a close, everyone can move on from telling me these games don’t matter to “it’s early and not even Thanksgiving, these games don’t matter” once the real basketball starts up. Very excited for the comment section. However, with the season a few days away what better time to look back and evaluate how this rookie class looked now that they’ve played some actual NBA competition. It was one thing to see them play in the Summer League, but that collection of talent was mostly fringe NBA guys. While we can’t say that what we saw over the last few weeks will guarantee regular season success, that doesn’t mean I can’t put a fake grade on some of the performances. You may not agree, but that’s the beauty of the internet, we can argue about it like adults. Alright, let’s dive in
Deandre Ayton
Preseason stats: 18.2 points, 10.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 60% FG, 77% FT, 106 Ortg, 105 Drtg
I think we all were waiting to see what Ayton looked against real competition, and Suns fan everywhere have to be feeling pretty good about the #1 overall pick. To say he looked dominant would be a pretty good description, and a lot of the things that were hyped about him coming out of college proved to be true. Already a polished offensive player, he showed some improved touch and the ability to turn and face and knock down that little 10ft jumper. Right away you have to be impressed with his blocking ability and rim protection, and honestly it’s hard to find something to be mad about when looking at Ayton’s preseason. Even the defense was a little bit better than I expected, if he were to average a 105 Drtg all year as a rookie big, I’d say that’s pretty good
Official Report Card Grade: A+
Trae Young
Preseason stats: 15.0 points, 2.0 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.2 steals 39% FG, 37% 3P, 106 Ortg, 95.7 Drtg
For the most part, I think Hawks fans are pleased with what they saw from Young. I imagine they would have liked a little better shooting efficiency, but I feel like that will come. He had his signature moments, he displayed his great passing vision, and that defense was MUCH better than I thought he would be able to have. I feel like he’s a player that will have a target on his back given how hyped he was in college, and I know the entire internet is loving everything Luka Doncic is doing in DAL, but for those who said Young wouldn’t be able to do the same shit in the NBA like he did at Oklahoma, so far he looks pretty similar to me. Young was tied with Luka in terms of scoring among all rookies this preseason, which was good for 2nd in the class. I say he’s going to be pretty damn good as soon as he gets his percentages up a little bit
Official Report Card Grade: B+
Luka Doncic
Preseason stats: 15.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 steals 47.5% FG, 43.5% 3P, 109.1 Ortg, 94.0 Drtg
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To put it simply, Luka rules. Of all the hyped up rookies heading into this preseason, because we didn’t see him play in Summer League, in my opinion Luka was the biggest draw for me from this entire class. I wanted to see if YouTube was telling me the truth about him as a player, and boy was it. The production, the efficiency, he simply looked like he belonged in the league. I suppose that’s the benefit of playing professionally for so long already, but there is no doubt the Mavs have a stud to pair next to DSJ. You don’t become basically the most decorated European player by accident, and with his defense being as good as it already is, Carlisle is going to love this kid. He also led the Mavs with about 29 minutes a night, so he’s entering the season already ready for big minutes.
Official Report Card Grade: A
Harry Giles III
Preseason stats: 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.0 steals 43.3% FG, 66.7% 3P, 95.4 Ortg, 114.3 Drtg
OK so the advanced numbers weren’t all that great, but honestly none of that matters. The big thing with Giles was that he showed flashes and more importantly played in ALL 6 games. Technically a rookie because he didn’t play last year, I could not be any more on the Harry Giles train. The kid has so much talent we all just need to pray he stay’s healthy. Obviously moving forward you want him to be a MUCH better defender, but it’s the Kings so is it really going to matter? It was just awesome to see him on the court and play well.
Official Report Card Grade: B
Marvin Bagley III
Preseason stats: 13.0 points, 6.8 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 0.5 steals, 0.8 blocks 44.8% FG, 98.8 Ortg, 114.2 Drtg
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Am I the only one who was somewhat underwhelmed with Bagley’s preseason? A double double machine at Duke I figured he’d have better rebounding numbers. Offensively he didn’t really wow me either, with his post game for sure leaving more to be desired. Defensively we saw the same sort of issues as Giles has, and if you are a Kings fan and you are feeling a little nervous about the #2 pick I won’t blame you. Especially with how great some of the other high end lottery players looked. Obviously it’s silly to freak out too much, but fair to say you expected more
Official Report Card Grade: C+
Alonzo Trier
Preseason stats: 14.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 47.8% FG, 30% 3P, 102.7 Ortg, 94.5 Drtg
One of the better stories from this preseason was the emergence of Alonzo Trier. To go from being undrafted to basically making the Knicks roster is pretty impressive, even if it is the Knicks. Fourth among rookies in scoring this preseason, it very much appears as thought the Knicks have found themselves a steal at the guard position. That’s important because how much do you want to rely on guys like Trey Burke and Emmanuel Mudiay? Exactly. The scoring was there, the defense was there, and while he wasn’t much of a facilitator I don’t think the Knicks were really asking him to be. While it pains me to praise a UofA product, you can’t lie he was awesome.
Official Report Card Grade: B+
Kevin Knox
Preseason stats: 8.8 points, 6.2 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 32.7% FG, 15% 3P, 95.9 Ortg, 95.9 Drtg
I think it’s fair to say that Knox was a little disappointing this preseason after what he showed in the Summer League. A 21/6 player during those fake games, the entire city of New York was ready to crown this kid after those performances. Well, I would say the way he shot the ball during the preseason probably brought most of the fans back down to earth. I still think he’s going to be really good, he just has more to figure out being that he’s so raw. The encouraging thing was that his defense looked good, and with all young players it’ll take time to adjust offensively, but maybe let’s pump the brakes just a little it. I know Knicks fans want this kid to be a superstar, and he very well might get there one day, but nothing I saw this preseason told me he’s all that close at the moment
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Official Report Card Grade: C
Miles Bridges
Preseason stats: 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 55.6% FG, 47.4% 3P, 102.1 Ortg, 93.0 Drtg
You know who had an awesome preseason? Miles Bridges. How he fell so far in the Draft I have no idea, because he came out and immediately looked like he belonged. Great efficiency from the floor, even better defense, for a team looking to get back into the playoffs, Bridges could be a major piece. He’s an interesting player in that I think you can play him both at the 3 or the 4, and I’ll admit his ability to stretch the floor like this was a pleasant surprise. I’m not sure if CHA plans on starting him right away, but it would not shock me if by like January he’s a full time starter. This kid is good.
Official Report Card Grade: A-
Jaren Jackson Jr
Preseason stats: 13.4 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists, 66.7% FG, 55.6% 3P, 99.1 Ortg, 107.1 Drtg
The one thing that was a little weird was how Jackson went from blocking everything during Summer League and then basically didn’t block anything in the preseason. You can’t hate his shooting splits, but the under 4 rebounds was a little concerning for a big man. I think MEM is going to be patient with him and they can afford to with Gasol, and the future does look bright for Jackson Jr. That 3P% stood out and he took nearly 2 3PA a game so defenses are going to have to account for that when he’s on the floor, which will be big to help create space for their guards to drive. Not terrible production in just 20 minutes a night
Official Report Card Grade: B-
Grayson Allen
Preseason stats: 12.6 points, 1.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 51.0% FG, 52.0% 3P, 120.9 Ortg, 85.8 Drtg
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You may hate him, but there is no denying Grayson Allen had a terrific preseason. I mean look at those splits and advanced numbers! Given where he was drafted, the Jazz sure look like they found themselves a steal and some solid guard depth. That 52% from deep is also no joke because Allen took 5.0 3PA a night. Sometimes a player finds his way onto a team and into a system that fits him perfectly, and I feel like that’s what UTA is for Allen. He may only play a handful of minutes a night, but he looks like a player that knows what he’s doing, and that’s half the battle when it comes to rookies. I would say hands down he was the surprise of the preseason for me, and I’m already looking forward to Jazz Twitter trying to spinzone the first time he trips someone or does some classic dick Grayson Allen move.
Official Report Card Grade: A
I could go on, but I feel like 10 rookies is a nice place to stop. I’ll leave the rest up to you, were there any rookies this preseason that stood out that I didn’t mention? Anyone you’re freaking out about that your team drafted and they disappointed you? List them off in the comments below because we have a few more hours to kill until football starts.