We’re only about a week into the 2020-21 NBA season, but it’s not too early to start thinking about online betting with such futures options as Rookie of the Year. James Wiseman, the second overall pick, has settled in nicely with Golden State, especially with Draymond Green still on the shelf. Tyrese Maxey and Cole Anthony have also gotten off to solid starts. Then there’s LaMelo Ball, figuring things out in Charlotte.
Let’s look at some of the top candidates as we make our way into the young NBA season.
NBA News: Updated Rookie of the Year Candidates
James Wiseman came into the draft as the top big man on the board. He made his debut against the Brooklyn Nets, a game the Warriors would lose, but he put up 18 points, going 7 of 13, and he pulled down six rebounds and posted a pair of steals in 24 minutes. Three days later, he went 3 of 4 from downtown — not bad for a 7-foot-1 shooter — putting up 18 points and eight boards. With backup Marquese Chriss also gone for the season, Wiseman will get plenty of time on the floor.
Anthony Edwards was the first overall pick and looked solid for Minnesota in his first two games. He made his debut against Detroit and put up 15 points, going 5 of 12 overall and 1 of 3 from three-point land, along with four boards and four assists in 25 minutes. The Timberwolves start Malik Beasley and D’Angelo Russell in their backcourt, making Edwards a solid candidate for sixth man. In his second game, against Utah, he went 8 of 12 overall, including 2 of 3 from behind the arc, putting up 18 points. He’s only 19, but he can already score from different levels on the floor.
LaMelo Ball has struggled a bit in the early going with Charlotte. Devonte Graham and Terry Rozier are the starting guards, with Ball coming off the bench. He’s scored 6.5 points and pulled down 3.5 boards per game, with two assists per contest. However, he’s shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor and 28.5 percent from behind the arc. He is taking shots that he shouldn’t, as he needs to grow into his role as distributor as well as shooter.
Deni Avdija is a starter for the Wizards, at least until Rui Hachimura returns from injury. He has not had much impact yet, though, putting up 12 points in his first two games combined, scoring seven in his debut against Philadelphia (in 28 minutes) and five on Saturday against Orlando (in 14 minutes). He’s playing alongside Russell Westbrook and Bradley Beal, which sounds like it should be helpful. However, Beal has looked uninterested so far, especially on the defensive end, and Westbrook continues to jack up shots from all over the floor and also does not get back on defense.
Obi Toppin entered the season near the top of many of the odds lists for Rookie of the Year. However, during his debut against the Indiana Pacers, he re-aggravated a calf injury and will not practice again until 2021. He could end up missing as many as eight games, as the Knicks play 11 games before January 11.
Killian Hayes was the seventh pick in the last NBA draft, as the Pistons brought him over from Germany. He could develop into a Euro version of James Harden, or maybe the next Manu Ginobili. He’s already a terrific player, but he has some learning to do — which is not a criticism. Against Minnesota in his debut, he only put up six shots and scored seven points, turning the ball over four times. His second game came against Cleveland, and he only had two turnovers, and his passes looked more confident, as did his decision-making. He went just 1 of 7, scoring three points, but he seemed to have the rhythm of the game.
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