NBA Rookie of the Year Watch: November 4
As we head into November, the NBA is starting to get into a stride. Players are finding their game again and young rookies are navigating their way in the NBA.
Although it is still early, it is time to look at four rookies in particular who have already found their way in the league.
Scottie Barnes
Barnes has made a huge impact so far this season for the Toronto Raptors.
Barnes is the Raptors’ 3rd leading scorer with 18.1 points a game and he is cleaning up rebounds with 8.9 a game.
He is leading the Raptors in rebounds and has made such a huge impact on the team. This is what the Raptors need, young talented players who play hard.
The Raptors are 6-3 and a lot of their success can be affiliated with Barnes’s high level of play.
Barnes has easily been a top-three rookie this season and is making his case for the Rookie of the Year award.
Barnes has started in all of the seven games he’s played so far this year and with more time, Barnes can potentially turn into a star in this league with his brilliant start.
Chris Duarte
Duarte has stepped up big time for the Indiana Pacers so far this season.
The rookie has been a starter in every game and has played like a mature starter.
Duarte is the most polished rookie in the NBA as it looks like he has been an NBA starter for years. Duarte has been playing some big minutes and seems to be as ready as possible for the NBA.
He has made every game count this year as he has yet to score under 10 points in an NBA game. This is an incredible achievement for a rookie as he is proving himself in the league.
Duarte has proven that he deserves to be in the NBA and the future will only get brighter.
Evan Mobley
Mobley has continued to play at a high level so far this season. Mobley has been a very solid center.
He is averaging 13.3 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks a game.
Mobley has been starting games for this new Cavaliers team and has been a big reason for their early success.
Mobley is a legitimate contender for the Rookie of the Year award but he is not getting the media fame that some of these other rookies are getting.
Mobley has been underrated and will be in the discussion for the ROTY award if he can keep up his solid start.
Cade Cunningham
Cade Cunningham, the number one pick of the 2021 NBA Draft has finally made his first appearance of the season. Cunningham disappointed nearly every NBA fan. Cunningham was awful.
He had a case of the rookie jitters and couldn’t handle the bright lights. In his first game, Cunningham only had one basket.
He was criticized heavily by the media and to follow up his poor first game, Cunningham's second game showcased him going 0-9 from three and 2-14 from the field.
It can be easily agreed that Cunningham hasn’t been off to the best start, but with time, Cunningham will find his way.
Max Savitt is a first-year majoring in journalism. To contact him, email mrs6929@psu.edu
