![]() The Dallas Mavericks’ defense allows 8.0 fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court, showing enormous value. Lively’s 1.5 BPG is tied for 16th in the NBA, and he’s holding opponents to just 55.6% shooting at the rim, 24th among players that defend at least four attempts per game. But he, too, is already emerging as one of the best in the league in that area. Thanks to the unicorns, Dereck Lively II is somehow only the third-best rim protector in this draft class. Holmgren will have a tough time holding onto that top spot if Wembanyama keeps this up. He’s only been getting better, too, averaging 19.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2.5 steals, and 2.8 blocks over his last four games. Regardless, it’s hard to deny how impactful he is when those shots fall. He still needs to improve his shot selection and efficiency, as he’s settling for too many tough jumpers. He’s also leading the Spurs in every major stat aside from assists. San Antonio allows about eight fewer points per 100 possessions with him on the court, thanks to his enormous rim protection (his BPG is third in the NBA) and opponent FG% at the rim (52.7%). The Spurs have struggled this season, but that hardly falls on Wembanyama’s shoulders. Wembanyama would be an easy choice for the top spot in almost any other year. That slight defensive edge, combined with his efficiency and team success, makes him my pick for the NBA ROTY frontrunner thus far. While Wembanyama has moments of dominance on that end, he still needs to improve some deficiencies before reaching the best defender status in the league, which Holmgren is challenging for. ![]() Holmgren also has the second-best D-EPM, one of the top advanced metrics for evaluating defensive impact. His 2.4 BPG ranks fifth in the NBA, and he’s holding opponents to just 54.9% shooting at the rim, placing him just behind former DPOY finalists Joel Embiid (52.5%) and Brook Lopez (52.4%). He’s posting ridiculous rim protection numbers and anchoring one of the league’s best defenses. He is the cream of the crop in a rookie class oozing with defensive specialists. Adding to his case, he’s been a major contributor for an Oklahoma City Thunder team that is currently second place in the Western Conference at 13-7, while the San Antonio Spurs are on a 14-game losing streak and sit dead last in the West with a record of 3-16.įor my money, Holmgren belongs in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year this season. His impact metrics are off the charts for a rookie, rating him as one of the top two-way players in the NBA. He’s shooting 51.9% from the field, 37.6% from three, and 86.5% from the foul line. As great as he’s been, I still believe Holmgren, who is not far behind in those categories, warrants this spot due to his unreal efficiency and overall impact. Wembanyama currently leads in points, rebounds, steals, and blocks, giving him an extremely compelling case. Selecting the top spot for this ranking was far from easy. NBA ROTY Ladder 1.0: A Pair of Unicorns Headline a Tight Race 1. Can any of these guys make a run for the trophy? Or are we destined for a showdown between two unicorns for the rest of the way? Below is my analysis of the 12 rookies in contention for the award. ![]() It’s rare for that many players to earn a prominent role in their team’s rotation this early in their careers, which is a testament to both the talent and depth of the 2023 draft class. There are currently 11 rookies playing 25+ minutes per game this season. There’s no shortage of candidates on the fringe, too. Perhaps not since James vs Carmelo Anthony in 2003-04 have we had a race as fascinating as this one is shaping up to be. ![]() Nearing the quarter-mark of the season, it appears these two are poised to deliver one of the most hotly-contested ROTY races in history. This year’s rookie class has many players hoping to etch their name into the history books, but at the moment, two unicorns stand above the rest: Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama.ĭespite a combined height of 14 feet and five inches, both players have the agility, ball handling, and shooting of a typical guard, seemingly defying reality every time they step on the court. LeBron James, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, Tim Duncan, and Michael Jordan are just a handful of the legends whose stacked NBA trophy cases began with this honour. The NBA Rookie of the Year award is among the most prestigious in the league’s trophy case.
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