The NBA is moving forward with the 2021 All-Star Game, although the festival is compressed to one day. That means that the Rising Stars Game, which features the young stars of the game in USA vs World format, will not take place this year. Can you imagine a USA team that would have had LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Zion Williamson playing together? That might have been more compelling than the defense-free All-Star game. There are some exciting rookies once again in the NBA this year, so as you consider your sports betting for the coming weeks in pro basketball, take a look at which rookies are making the biggest contributions right now.
NBA News: Updated Rookie Power Rankings
#1 LaMelo Ball (PG, Charlotte)
Terry Rozier is putting up 30+ points per game, and Devonte Graham is back and healthy, but LaMelo hasn’t been bounced out of the starting lineup yet. Why? Because as a starter, he has put up 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, plus posting a +2.9 rating. He has shot 44.6 percent from the floor, including 43.9 percent from behind the arc. The team is playing better as well, as the Hornets improve their scoring per 100 possessions by 4.9 points when he is playing.
#2 Saddiq Bey (SF, Detroit)
When Detroit knocked Boston off, Bey became the first NBA rookie to go 7 for 7 from three-point land, and he was the league’s Player of the Week. When he came into the NBA, observers praised him for his defensive potential; he is still working on that, but in the meantime, his offense has made him a must on the floor, as he is a terrific spot-up shooter, and he can post up and score with his back to the basket.
#3 Anthony Edwards (SG, Minnesota)
If you want to watch the latest poster dunk, check out the punishment that Edwards gave to Doug McDermott. With D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns fighting through injuries, the Timberwolves are having another rough season, but one positive is the lack of pressure placed on Edwards as he grows his game.
#4 Immanuel Quickley (SG, New York)
Lots of observers jumped on the Knicks for taking Quickley in the first round, but he is proving the naysayers wrong. His floater is already one of the best in the NBA, and he can score at the rim, from mid-range and from downtown. The Knicks look ready to make the playoffs this season as we hit the midway point of the 2020-21 campaign, and as Quickley continues to develop, the Knicks will only improve.
#5 Jae’Sean Tate (SF, Houston)
Houston is using Tate to spread the floor, popping off a screen to shoot from the outside; when a bigger defender comes out to contest him, he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He is also developing into a shutdown defender. For an undrafted free agent, Tate is making the most of his opportunities with Christian Wood on the shelf for the Rockets.
#6 Tyrese Haliburton (PG, Sacramento)
Haliburton excels when it comes to facilitating plays on offense, knocking down ridiculous shots and breaking his opponents’ ankles with changes in direction. The next area of improvement for Haliburton’s game comes at scoring off the dribble. Working on that jump shot off the pick-and-roll needs to be an area of emphasis for him.
#7 Facundo Campazzo (PG, Denver)
Campazzo is a 29-year-old rookie who played alongside Luka Doncic in the EuroLeague. Why is he making his mark in the NBA? Because of the way he can distribute the ball. Having the sort of court awareness sets him apart from many of the other point guards in the league.
The NBA is moving forward with the 2021 All-Star Game, although the festival is compressed to one day. That means that the Rising Stars Game, which features the young stars of the game in USA vs World format, will not take place this year. Can you imagine a USA team that would have had LaMelo Ball, Ja Morant and Zion Williamson playing together? That might have been more compelling than the defense-free All-Star game. There are some exciting rookies once again in the NBA this year, so as you consider your sports betting for the coming weeks in pro basketball, take a look at which rookies are making the biggest contributions right now.
NBA News: Updated Rookie Power Rankings
#1 LaMelo Ball (PG, Charlotte)
Terry Rozier is putting up 30+ points per game, and Devonte Graham is back and healthy, but LaMelo hasn’t been bounced out of the starting lineup yet. Why? Because as a starter, he has put up 20.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game, plus posting a +2.9 rating. He has shot 44.6 percent from the floor, including 43.9 percent from behind the arc. The team is playing better as well, as the Hornets improve their scoring per 100 possessions by 4.9 points when he is playing.
#2 Saddiq Bey (SF, Detroit)
When Detroit knocked Boston off, Bey became the first NBA rookie to go 7 for 7 from three-point land, and he was the league’s Player of the Week. When he came into the NBA, observers praised him for his defensive potential; he is still working on that, but in the meantime, his offense has made him a must on the floor, as he is a terrific spot-up shooter, and he can post up and score with his back to the basket.
#3 Anthony Edwards (SG, Minnesota)
If you want to watch the latest poster dunk, check out the punishment that Edwards gave to Doug McDermott. With D’Angelo Russell and Karl-Anthony Towns fighting through injuries, the Timberwolves are having another rough season, but one positive is the lack of pressure placed on Edwards as he grows his game.
#4 Immanuel Quickley (SG, New York)
Lots of observers jumped on the Knicks for taking Quickley in the first round, but he is proving the naysayers wrong. His floater is already one of the best in the NBA, and he can score at the rim, from mid-range and from downtown. The Knicks look ready to make the playoffs this season as we hit the midway point of the 2020-21 campaign, and as Quickley continues to develop, the Knicks will only improve.
#5 Jae’Sean Tate (SF, Houston)
Houston is using Tate to spread the floor, popping off a screen to shoot from the outside; when a bigger defender comes out to contest him, he can put the ball on the floor and get to the rim. He is also developing into a shutdown defender. For an undrafted free agent, Tate is making the most of his opportunities with Christian Wood on the shelf for the Rockets.
#6 Tyrese Haliburton (PG, Sacramento)
Haliburton excels when it comes to facilitating plays on offense, knocking down ridiculous shots and breaking his opponents’ ankles with changes in direction. The next area of improvement for Haliburton’s game comes at scoring off the dribble. Working on that jump shot off the pick-and-roll needs to be an area of emphasis for him.
#7 Facundo Campazzo (PG, Denver)
Campazzo is a 29-year-old rookie who played alongside Luka Doncic in the EuroLeague. Why is he making his mark in the NBA? Because of the way he can distribute the ball. Having the sort of court awareness sets him apart from many of the other point guards in the league.
