NBA’s True Impact Rookies

NBA’s True Impact Rookies

It is not too early to declare Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio the runaway leader for Rookie of the Year, and the reasons should be evident. It’s not just that Rubio, a 2009 draftee who came to Minnesota NBA-ready after six seasons in the Spanish ACB League, has put up some impressive numbers — 10.6 points and 8.1 assists per game. More importantly, he has helped make the Wolves a team you can’t automatically scratch from a list of potential Western Conference playoff teams.

That’s true rookie impact, but there is another group of first-year players flying under the Rookie of the Year radar whose impacts also have been big. By playoff time, the other rookies on our list probably won’t want to trade spots with Rubio, still more likely to be a playoff spectator than participant.

Here are four rookies making meaningful contributions for teams that are among the league’s best after roughly one-quarter of the season (entering Saturday), and one, Rubio, whose impact will be amazing if he and his teammates simply make the postseason.

Norris Cole, Heat (10-4)
Draft position: 28th overall
MPG: 21.6
PPG: 9.3
APG: 3.1
SPG: 1.1
Comment: By the time the Eastern Conference finals roll around, the Bulls may regret the three-way draft-night deal that landed Cole on the Heat’s roster. Already a fixture in Erik Spoelstra’s playing rotation, Cole has been a solid contributor to the Heat’s 10-4 start.

Kawhi Leonard, Spurs (10-6)
Draft position: 15th overall
MPG: 24.2
PPG: 7.8
RPG: 5.2
SPG: 1.2
Comment: Gregg Popovich doesn’t often give rookies as much time and responsibility as he has handed to Leonard, whose defensive versatility Popovich likens to that of Bruce Bowen. Enough said.

Enes Kanter, Jazz (9-5)
Draft position: 3rd overall
MPG: 14.0
PPG: 4.6
RPG: 5.3
BPG: 0.43
Comment: One reason the Jazz felt they could deal Mehmet Okur to the Nets a few days before the start of the season was the presence of Kanter on the roster. Playing behind Al Jefferson, he’s helped Utah get out to a 9-5 start that has been a big surprise.

Nikola Vucevic, 76ers (11-4)
Draft position: 16th overall
MPG: 14.1
PPG: 4.6
RPG: 4.6
BPG: 0.75
Comment: The 76ers are one of the surprise elite teams of the first quarter of the season, and Vucevic has been in coach Doug Collins’ playing rotation from the start. He’s had only one double-figure scoring game and one double-figure rebound game but has been steady and solid.

Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves (7-8)
Draft position: 5th overall (2009)
MPG: 31.8
PPG: 10.6
APG: 8.1
SPG: 2.3
Comment: He appears to have taken over as Minnesota’s starting point guard and has played the bulk of every fourth quarter because he has proven unflappable. Ranks fourth in league in steals (2.33), eighth in assists (8.1).

Thoughts?

Note:I can actually see this as the starting 5 for the Freshman team in the Freshman vs.Sophomore game.

Kyrie Irving is having the best rookie season out of anybody and his Cavs are just as likely to make the playoffs as Rubio's Wolves.

Enes Kantor? Really? Is this writer just considering the team's win-loss percentage?

I guess that is why he titled it "NBA's True Impact Rookies".

By the time the Eastern Conference finals roll around, the Bulls may regret the three-way draft-night deal that landed Cole on the Heat’s roster. Already a fixture in Erik Spoelstra’s playing rotation, Cole has been a solid contributor to the Heat’s 10-4 start.

He's proven to be a very nice pickup for the Heat, but I'm not sure that if he were on the Bulls, he'd be the answer to the Heat's big three.

Enes Kantor? Really? Is this writer just considering the team's win-loss percentage?

Guess so with Nikola Vuvecic on that list.

Well, about Enes, if he has 42 minutes instead of 14, he can get 10-15 points and 10-15 rebounds. If his stats with 14 mins and 42 mins are proportional.

For a historical perspective: Top 10 Rookie Seasons in NBA History

Although the late, great Yinka Dare is a noteworthy snub.

from what I've seen of Kanter in 2 games vs the Lakers, he misses a ton of layups and short shots and seems to foul a lot.

Small sample-size, but Kanter's Per-36 numbers are decent: 12.1 points, 12.6 rebounds, but 2.2 TO's 3.5 fouls, and his shooting percentages are average at best. I've only watched him once or twice and I basically saw the same things you did.

What a great night for the big 4 rookies in Kanter, Cole, Rubio, and Irving. Especially for Irving and Rubio, their great performance against the quality point guards. Rubio against Parker and Irving against D-Will. The future looks pretty good for these rookies at the moment.

And Irving isn't even 20 years old yet. Lol at somebody that said he ain't a superstar material unlike John Wall.

As for Kanter, he's been quite solid as well. He also isn't 20 years old yet. I see lots of upsides on this kid as well.

Rubio is a big surprise for me.I knew he could pass because of watching him play in europe but his scoring has stepped up.

Rubio is good and he has shown he's able to score but I still think Irving is a better rookie pg. I know Rubio has a lot more assists per game then Irving, but from watching Irving play I have seen him make some very good passes. However right now his team doesn't have anyone who can finish. Rubio has a lot better players to give the ball to including love. Irving is doing exactly what we need him to do right now and that is score. Obviously the Cavaliers are still missing some major pieces but when they get a solid scorer to play along side Irving I guarantee you that Irving's assist numbers will see a huge increase.

Right now, Irving is dominating the other rookies. It's not even close.

The lack of MarShon Brooks in this thread is depressing.

The lack of MarShon Brooks in this thread is depressing.

Ditto.

Not really. The thread is about rookies who will make an impact come playoff time. All of them listed have a good chance of making the playoffs. Nets aren't looking good but hey, you never know.

Obviously if we're talking impact rookies overall, yeah Marshon Brooks is up there.

And about Enes Kanter, we talk about a guy that didn't play any basketball at 10-11 season.