Post by BANNAK on Jul 28, 2014 2:49:58 GMT
This article will take a look at some of the first round picks in the 2015 Draft, and how they are faring in their second season in the league, as the season makes its way towards All-Star break. It will rank the Top 5 players respectively, though this is just my opinion.
Name - Team - 2015 Pick - Stats - Team Record
1. Andrew Wiggins - LA Lakers - #1 Pick - 24.1ppg / 7.2rpg / 1.7apg / 1.5spg / 0.7bpg / 1.8topg - 20-7
This is hardly surprising to see. Wiggins was the unanimous number 1 pick heading into the draft, and he has not disappointed the merciless fans of Los Angeles. After claiming the Rookie of the Year award, Wiggins entered his second season with a lot of expectations on his shoulders. The biggest improvement in his game has come from the 3 point line, where he improved from 39% in his rookie season to nearly 45% this season. Best of all, his excellent play has led the Lakers to the best record in the League at this point of the season in terms of overall win percentage (.741). With both he and Lillard locked in to long-term deals, LA will arguably have one of the best 1-2 punches moving forward as Wiggins continues to develop into a perennial MVP candidate. Look for Wiggins to even throw his hat into the ring for MVPs this season; with his own success, and the success of the Lakers, being a driving force behind his bid.
2. Jahlil Okafor - Miami Heat - #2 Pick - 12.4ppg / 8.6rpg / 1.6apg / 0.9spg / 0.7bpg / 1.6topg - 21-13
On a team with stars such as Anthony Davis, Deron Williams and Lance Stephenson, Jahlil Okafor still finds a way to be productive, putting up a near double/double each game with 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Most of all, he is contributing to a team that is currently 3rd in the East on win percentage on back-up minutes. No doubt if he was on a less successful team, and given starters minutes and his fair share of the ball, he'd be putting up monster stats. Regardless, Okafor is contributing to a team which looks to be a real threat in the East. And with Anthony Davis locked in long-term, the Heat boast one of the scariest front-courts in the league moving forward. Okafor improved his rebounding (up 3 per game) and scoring (up 4 per game) from his rookie to sophomore season. He has the potential to turn into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate down the track.
3. Cliff Alexander - San Antonio Spurs - #4 Pick - 11.8ppg / 6.7rpg / 1.2apg / 0.6spg / 0.6bpg / 1.4topg - 18-17
A recent trade to the San Antonio Spurs will see Cliff Alexander get a serious increase in playing time. In his time with the Grizzlies, Alexander was a rotation guy, getting adequate minutes per game, but now with the Spurs, Alexander will likely be thrust into the starting PF position. Playing alongside Nerlens Noel, expect to see Alexander bloom into a star defensive player to already compliment his solid offensive game. Alexander has already shown signs of immense effectiveness, with his stats remaining the same from his rookie season, despite a decrease in playing time in Memphis. Alexander could likely leapfrog Okafor on this list if he plays big-time for the Spurs. Alexander possesses all the tools to turn into one of the most dominating players in the league, and has the faith of the Spurs front office. They fully expect Alexander to be able to come in and eventually fill the very big shoes of LaMarcus Aldridge
4. Trey Lyles - Atlanta Hawks - #15 Pick - 20.0ppg / 8.8rpg / 3.1apg / 0.8spg / 0.2bpg / 2.7topg - 12-21
Trey Lyles is a perfect example of what these talented young players could do when they are given the reigns to an organisation. Lyles is no doubt the current face of the struggling Atlanta Hawks, and despite not being a lottery pick, has proved to be quite the budding offensive player. However take these stats with a grain of salt; while scoring 20 points per game, he is only shooting 39% from the field and committing 2.7 turnovers per game. That, coupled with the Hawks' 12-21 record, is why Lyles, despite his face-value stats, only ranks 4th on this list. Despite his shortcomings, Lyles has improved significantly from his rookie year, especially on the offensive end, upping his scoring from 10ppg to 20ppg in just a season. As the Hawks continue to struggle, look for Lyles to improve his ball-handling and shot selection to become a more efficient player. After all, he is under next to no pressure, with many expecting Atlanta to be lottery bound this season.
5. Tyus Jones - NY Knicks - #13 Pick - 11.6ppg / 4.1rpg / 6.9apg / 1.7spg / 0.2bpg / 2.4topg - 12-15
Tyus Jones already exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign; having such a successful season that he was selected for the All-Rookie Team. He had a stellar first year, averaging 16 points per game to go along with 6.2 assists. People were expecting much of the same for the young point guard, and were looking forward to seeing him pair up with the 2016 #1 Pick Malik Newman. However nothing stays the same in the NBA for too long; as the GM of the Knicks made a blockbuster trade, sending Newman along with other assets to Chicago for LeBron James. As can be expected when landing the King, the amount on Jones' shoulders lessened, as evidenced as his points per game falling to 11.6 (something has to budge to accommodate LeBron's 32.3ppg average). However Jones improved in other areas, namely his assists (up from his rookie year) and his shooting (FG% up from 42% to 50%; 3PFG% up from 34% to 44%). While his stats might not appeal to the lesser informed fans, everybody else can see the efficiency with which Jones plays. And with James entering a possible Free Agency situation, we might be able to see what Jones can do with a team to run by himself in the not too distant future.
Name - Team - 2015 Pick - Stats - Team Record
1. Andrew Wiggins - LA Lakers - #1 Pick - 24.1ppg / 7.2rpg / 1.7apg / 1.5spg / 0.7bpg / 1.8topg - 20-7
This is hardly surprising to see. Wiggins was the unanimous number 1 pick heading into the draft, and he has not disappointed the merciless fans of Los Angeles. After claiming the Rookie of the Year award, Wiggins entered his second season with a lot of expectations on his shoulders. The biggest improvement in his game has come from the 3 point line, where he improved from 39% in his rookie season to nearly 45% this season. Best of all, his excellent play has led the Lakers to the best record in the League at this point of the season in terms of overall win percentage (.741). With both he and Lillard locked in to long-term deals, LA will arguably have one of the best 1-2 punches moving forward as Wiggins continues to develop into a perennial MVP candidate. Look for Wiggins to even throw his hat into the ring for MVPs this season; with his own success, and the success of the Lakers, being a driving force behind his bid.
2. Jahlil Okafor - Miami Heat - #2 Pick - 12.4ppg / 8.6rpg / 1.6apg / 0.9spg / 0.7bpg / 1.6topg - 21-13
On a team with stars such as Anthony Davis, Deron Williams and Lance Stephenson, Jahlil Okafor still finds a way to be productive, putting up a near double/double each game with 12.4 points and 8.6 rebounds per game. Most of all, he is contributing to a team that is currently 3rd in the East on win percentage on back-up minutes. No doubt if he was on a less successful team, and given starters minutes and his fair share of the ball, he'd be putting up monster stats. Regardless, Okafor is contributing to a team which looks to be a real threat in the East. And with Anthony Davis locked in long-term, the Heat boast one of the scariest front-courts in the league moving forward. Okafor improved his rebounding (up 3 per game) and scoring (up 4 per game) from his rookie to sophomore season. He has the potential to turn into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate down the track.
3. Cliff Alexander - San Antonio Spurs - #4 Pick - 11.8ppg / 6.7rpg / 1.2apg / 0.6spg / 0.6bpg / 1.4topg - 18-17
A recent trade to the San Antonio Spurs will see Cliff Alexander get a serious increase in playing time. In his time with the Grizzlies, Alexander was a rotation guy, getting adequate minutes per game, but now with the Spurs, Alexander will likely be thrust into the starting PF position. Playing alongside Nerlens Noel, expect to see Alexander bloom into a star defensive player to already compliment his solid offensive game. Alexander has already shown signs of immense effectiveness, with his stats remaining the same from his rookie season, despite a decrease in playing time in Memphis. Alexander could likely leapfrog Okafor on this list if he plays big-time for the Spurs. Alexander possesses all the tools to turn into one of the most dominating players in the league, and has the faith of the Spurs front office. They fully expect Alexander to be able to come in and eventually fill the very big shoes of LaMarcus Aldridge
4. Trey Lyles - Atlanta Hawks - #15 Pick - 20.0ppg / 8.8rpg / 3.1apg / 0.8spg / 0.2bpg / 2.7topg - 12-21
Trey Lyles is a perfect example of what these talented young players could do when they are given the reigns to an organisation. Lyles is no doubt the current face of the struggling Atlanta Hawks, and despite not being a lottery pick, has proved to be quite the budding offensive player. However take these stats with a grain of salt; while scoring 20 points per game, he is only shooting 39% from the field and committing 2.7 turnovers per game. That, coupled with the Hawks' 12-21 record, is why Lyles, despite his face-value stats, only ranks 4th on this list. Despite his shortcomings, Lyles has improved significantly from his rookie year, especially on the offensive end, upping his scoring from 10ppg to 20ppg in just a season. As the Hawks continue to struggle, look for Lyles to improve his ball-handling and shot selection to become a more efficient player. After all, he is under next to no pressure, with many expecting Atlanta to be lottery bound this season.
5. Tyus Jones - NY Knicks - #13 Pick - 11.6ppg / 4.1rpg / 6.9apg / 1.7spg / 0.2bpg / 2.4topg - 12-15
Tyus Jones already exceeded expectations during his rookie campaign; having such a successful season that he was selected for the All-Rookie Team. He had a stellar first year, averaging 16 points per game to go along with 6.2 assists. People were expecting much of the same for the young point guard, and were looking forward to seeing him pair up with the 2016 #1 Pick Malik Newman. However nothing stays the same in the NBA for too long; as the GM of the Knicks made a blockbuster trade, sending Newman along with other assets to Chicago for LeBron James. As can be expected when landing the King, the amount on Jones' shoulders lessened, as evidenced as his points per game falling to 11.6 (something has to budge to accommodate LeBron's 32.3ppg average). However Jones improved in other areas, namely his assists (up from his rookie year) and his shooting (FG% up from 42% to 50%; 3PFG% up from 34% to 44%). While his stats might not appeal to the lesser informed fans, everybody else can see the efficiency with which Jones plays. And with James entering a possible Free Agency situation, we might be able to see what Jones can do with a team to run by himself in the not too distant future.
