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We are about a quarter of the way through the NBA’s regular season and it’s time to check back in on the rookies. This is where things get interesting from an evaluation standpoint. If the start of the season is surrounded by hope and optimism, this portion of the program brings a measure of reality.
Fit, opportunity and context will rule the day with young players, but now we can see how the league has adjusted to the rookies, and how the rookies are reacting to how the league has adjusted to them.
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Scouting reports have been updated. What are these rookies being asked to do on a nightly basis? Is the game slowing down for them? Are opponents treating them differently? Let’s take a look at the top 10 rookies.
1. Kon Knueppel, Hornets
High-level, consistent production is not always the hallmark of a rookie campaign, but that is exactly what has made Knueppel’s start stand out. Knueppel is the first player in NBA history to make 50 3-pointers in his first 15 career games, and the first Hornets rookie to score 20 points in at least 10 of his first 20 career games. The shot-making speaks for itself, but he’s leveraging those skills to open up drives.
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In dribble handoffs or pick-and-roll, a quick peek at the rim keeps defenders off balance. His confidence continues to grow as he looks to initiate contact when he turns the corner. Whether on-ball or off-ball, he works to come off screens tight to open up space to attack. It’s been fun to watch Knueppel battle as a screener, setting up flat angles to slip into space with defenses working to rotate and take it away.
2. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks
Growth is the name of the game for Flagg, who has taken some of the early-season struggles and turned things around for the better. The 18-year-old, who is fourth in the NBA in clutch points (52 points on 13-of-27 shooting from the field), has found increased comfort and confidence over the past month.
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In November, 26.1% of Flagg’s field-goal attempts came in the restricted area (where he shot 75.4%). He’s working to put his head down and get to his spots, and showing improved…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nba-rookie-rankings-kon-knueppel-cooper-flagg-and-derik-queen-are-on-the-rise–whos-no-1-150421342.html
Author : Steve Jones
Publish date : 2025-12-05 15:04:00
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