NBA Rookie Leaderboard 2/3/21

3. Anthony Edwards

Any number 1 pick in the draft is going to come into the season with high expectations, but Anthony Edwards has started to fly under the radar so far this season playing with the Minnesota Timberwolves. With LaMelo Ball gathering all the attention a normal first overall pick would carry throughout the year, Edwards has been able to adjust to the NBA game in a low-pressure situation like Minnesota. Low-pressure basically meaning they stink this year and there is literally no expectations for them at all. Edwards currently leads his class in PPG with 13.6 while finishing tied for 4th in minutes played and 3rd in usage rate. He has been able to showoff his supreme athleticism and his ability to fill it up quickly. While his defensive rating has been a pretty brutal 117 per 100 possessions, it’s very rare for a rookie to adjust to NBA defense in just 2 months. Especially when you play for the Timberwolves, who currently rank 27th in team defensive rating. With James Wiseman being out for at least the next week, Edwards has done enough to crack into the medal winners.

(Kyle Terada-USA Today)

2. Tyrese Haliburton

Oooooo I love me some Tyrese Haliburton! Yes, his numbers don’t jump off the screen. 10.7 points, 5.4 assists, and 3.8 rebounds don’t seem like the type of stats that would put him above Edwards. But its not about the stats, it’s about the old eye test baby. Haliburton has looked like the most NBA ready prospect out of the class since day 1. His ability to make the right pass, knock down open shots, and seemingly never make rookie mistakes has made it hard for Sacramento Coach Luke Walton to keep him off the court in crunch time. Ask the Raptors how Haliburton’s game winner last Friday tasted. He is already shooting over 40% from three on 5 attempts per game and he might have the funkiest release since Shawn Marion. Shoutout to all the funky release guys, I see you Dick Barnett. Haliburton seems primed to be De’Aaron Fox’s backcourt running mate in Sactown for years to come. Currently ranking 14th in usage rating among rookies, Haliburton’s numbers will only go up with the more touches he gets.

(nba.com)

1. LaMelo Ball

I distinctly remember telling a buddy of mine after the first week on the season LaMelo Ball’s ceiling was Shawn Livingston. I was wrong. It happens. LaMelo has been great for the surprising really watchable Charlotte Hornets. He leads all rookies in assists per game at 6.1 and leads all rookies in total assists by 30. He’s been able to make highlight worthy passes every game and his partnership with Miles Bridges makes me want to fire up NBA Jam. He is already considered amongst the elite passers in the NBA after just 20 games. But it’s not all about dishing the rock, LaMelo has been able to find his scoring too. He’s second amongst rookies in total points scored while coming off the bench. Much like Haliburton, LaMelo has been on the court consistently in crunch time for the Hornets. He has an ability to run an offense better than any rookie I’ve seen in a while and seems to make other around him better already. Even veteran players like Gordon Hayward have gushed about LaMelo’s abilities to make plays. His teammates also rave about his attitude in the locker room. Something that old heads were worried about. Is he a bit of a streaky three point shooter? Yes. Does he lead all rookies in turnovers? Yes. Has he been the most impressive and most fun rookie to watch so far this season? Absolutely!

(USAToday)