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The 2014-15 ROTY – Andrew WigginsThe Rookie of the Year Award. Regardless of who gets it at the end of 82 battles, it will be an entertaining race. The winner of this award will depend on the opportunities a player gets which translates to minutes that are available to him in his team.The most important thing is to fill the stat sheet; a simple mantra to survive or be noticed? This year’s draft class was loaded and there were several strong options available at all positions.Predicting the winner of the class is a little tricky and it has left experts looking silly at the end of the season.We will try to outline the top 5 players who we think have the talent and best environment to reach the top.
#1 Karl-Anthony Towns Jr. - Minnesota Timberwolves
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In the world of basketball, there is nothing like a big man who can run the floor with good mechanics. Those reasons are why Towns was the unanimous #1 pick of NBA players and GMs in 2015 draft.
Towns is an excellent shot blocker (2.3 BPG), a great rebounder and a mobile defensive threat who can play great team defense. He can play with his front to the basket, has a sweet touch and shot 56% FG, 81% FT in college. He was the starting center for the loaded Kentucky Wildcats and led them to the Final Four. He is expected to start at center for the Timberwolves. With a veteran mentor in Kevin Garnett, Towns Jr is going to be great.
Did you know – Although born in New Jersey, Towns Jr represents the Dominican Republic national team, alongside Al Horford.
#2 Emmanuel Mudiay - Denver Nuggets
The 6”5’ PG from Dallas, Texas has the best chance to finish on the top. He will be taking the reigns of Denver’s up-tempo offense now that Ty Lawson left to go to Houston. Mudiay will have the ball in his hands when he is on the court and an opportunity to revive Denver.
He is averaging solid 15 points and 5.4 assists but has 4.8 turnovers in preseason action. If he takes care of the ball and improves his FG percentage, Mudiay will have the chance to have a Damian Lillard kind of year to the top. He played 12 games in China for the Guangdong Tigers and had a good preseason. We project him to have a great rookie season.
Did you know – Mudiay was the second best point guard of his high school class behind Minnesota Timberwolves’ Tyus Jones.
#3 Jahlil Okafor - Philadelphia 76ers
When the NBA draft class of 2015 was asked who will be the Rookie of the year in 2016, it was unanimous that Jahlil Okafor would be the winner of the award. Okafor could walk into most any NBA team and play Center, even last year when he was a freshman at Duke.
He averaged 17.3 PPG, 8.5 RPG while shooting 66% from the field in college. If the big man improves his free throw, he could be a 20 and 10 threat every night. He fell to No 3 in the draft because of concerns over what he needs to improve on, his body conditioning, and health throughout the long season.
The lack of disciplined veterans in Philadelphia leaves no solid mentor to the young Okafor but he was coached by the best in college, Coach K.
Did you know – He was the first freshman to be named ACC Player Of The Year. PS : Michael Jordan, Tim Duncan, Chris Paul etc played in ACC as well.
#4 Stanley Johnson - Detroit Pistons
Considered to be one of the best defensive talent in the draft, Stanley Johnson averaged solid 13 ppg, 4.5 rpg in the preseason. Johnson can create and score off the dribble, whether it’s finishing at the rim or pulling up for jumper, which he shoots at 49%.
He also has a good 3 point shot which he demonstrated shooting 40% at the summer league. He aptly draws comparison with Kawhi Leonard and if he plays like him, Johnson will be right there at the top. With Coach Stan Van Gundy willing to give as many minutes as Johnson needs and his record with developing young talent to an elite level, Johnson is in good hands.
Did you know – In 2014-15 only two Division 1 freshmen averaged more than 13.5 points and 6.5 rebounds – Duke’s Jahlil Okafor and Arizona’s Stanley Johnson.
#5 Mario Hezonja - Orlando Magic
“If they smell blood, you get eaten,” Mario Hezonja. The Croatian national who played for Barcelona before declaring for the draft was the most electrifying player this offseason. He has an absolutely cocky attitude similar to the Black Mamba himself. He has a shooting touch similar to Klay Thompson and can throw it down like Ginobli.
He shot 40% from 3 point land and penetrates to finish beautifully at the rim. He believes he would have been the #1 pick if he was in college in USA. The Magic do not have a similar player which slates for starter minutes and offensive opportunities.
We will watch Super Mario through the season and he is our dark horse to surprise the NBA.
Did you know – Mario was nominated for FIBA Europe young player of the year award; which Jonas Valanciunas won, in 2012.
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