Who's going to have a better rookie season than Tatum?

[liam]

Health is going to be a huge part of ROY. So many of the top rookies this year seem injury prone and fragile.

[ChillyWilly]

I think Dennis Smith Jr. ends up being the hands down RoY. He's got an NBA ready game right out of the box and he doesn't look shy about pulling the trigger.

He reminds me of the prototypical gunner who lights it up early in their careers only for that to be their peak.

[GratefulCs]

does anyone else feel like there should be a rule that you are considered a rookie only if you are in the first year of your deal?

it bums me out seeing players like simmons, embiid, and blake griffin being contenders for ROY

[tazzmaniac]

Simmons will undoubtedly.

I agree.  I think he'll flirt with a 14/10/10 triple double.

You think he will be the best player in the history of NBA? A triple double as a rookie? I don't even think a drunk optimistic 76ers fan would guess that.

I am sure he will have some triple doubles based on his skills, but the extreme consistenty that is required to average one (or flirt with one) would be absurd to ask of a rookie.

Those numbers have nothing to do with being the best player in NBA history or even best rookie.   As far as precedent goes, Oscar Robertson nearly did it with 30.9 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 9.7 APG his rookie season. 

Simmons is going to play big minutes and run the Sixers offense.  The Sixers are going to be one of the top pace teams.  With Embiid defending the lane and Covington on the perimeter, I think they'll have a lot of fast break opportunities.  Embiid's focus will be on defense not rebounding.  It certainly is a longshot but I think Simmons has a chance if his teammates shoot pretty well and he does some rebound hunting.   

Found this article on top rookie seasons. 
http://www.thesportster.com/basketball/top-10-greatest-rookie-seasons-in-nba-history/ 

[Androslav]

Bull from Finland. 14/15 PPG

[tazzmaniac]

does anyone else feel like there should be a rule that you are considered a rookie only if you are in the first year of your deal?

it bums me out seeing players like simmons, embiid, and blake griffin being contenders for ROY

Not me.  You're 1st season played is your rookie season.  You've got 1 year freshman rookies going against 4 year senior rookies.  Sitting out injured having to rehab just to get back to being able to play basketball is not some great advantage.  Most of the time you are not even with the team. 

[CelticsElite]

does anyone else feel like there should be a rule that you are considered a rookie only if you are in the first year of your deal?

it bums me out seeing players like simmons, embiid, and blake griffin being contenders for ROY

Not me.  You're 1st season played is your rookie season.  You've got 1 year freshman rookies going against 4 year senior rookies.  Sitting out injured having to rehab just to get back to being able to play basketball is not some great advantage.  Most of the time you are not even with the team.

the 4 year senior still didn't get a year of NBA coaching and mentoring. If you say that's meaningless, you're saying the entire concept of coaching and mentoring is meaningless. NBA basketball is much more complex than college ball

[greece66]

Teodosic.

[Fred Roberts]

My dude Jonathan Isaac!

He's the other guy I wanted, next to Tatum for our top pick. He will no doubt get plenty of minutes. ORL lacks a scoring threat, and I think he becomes one of their top options right away.

[Granath]

Stats? Probably at least half a dozen rookies. Guys like Ball, Simmons, Fox, Smith and Fultz will get major playing time. Tatum is going to have a more difficult time seeing the floor. I have very low expectations for Tatum being even in the top 3 for RoY because I'm not confident he'll get even 1,600 minutes this year.

However, I don't use the RoY to determine who had the better season. What I want to see is consistent and improving production on both ends on the floor. If he shows that then it's all good.

Well, in light of the Hayward injury I think my response above is out the window. Tatum will now compete for the ROY as he'll get 25-30 mpg for a winning team. He'll get a lot more shots as the Celtics search to create offense.

[gouki88]

Stats? Probably at least half a dozen rookies. Guys like Ball, Simmons, Fox, Smith and Fultz will get major playing time. Tatum is going to have a more difficult time seeing the floor. I have very low expectations for Tatum being even in the top 3 for RoY because I'm not confident he'll get even 1,600 minutes this year.

However, I don't use the RoY to determine who had the better season. What I want to see is consistent and improving production on both ends on the floor. If he shows that then it's all good.

Well, in light of the Hayward injury I think my response above is out the window. Tatum will now compete for the ROY as he'll get 25-30 mpg for a winning team. He'll get a lot more shots as the Celtics search to create offense.

Yeah, I could see Tatum putting up 14-15 per game with 6-7 boards if he continues to start.

Hopefully more

[PaulAllen]

If Tatum continues to get around 30 mpg no one will even come close ...
Wait until he starts firing threes ....

[slamtheking]

obviously the Hayward injury will make a huge difference in Tatum's minutes and the need to have him become more of a primary scorer on the floor. 

Despite the media's love affair with Simmons and Ball, they aren't great scorers, rebounders or defenders.  I think Tatum will have a very legit chance to claim ROY when it's all said and done.

[Donoghus]

If he's getting the minutes and plays the way that many of us expect him to play based on what we see in his potential, then I think he has an excellent shot now.

[kozlodoev]

Simmons. Press already fawning all over him.

Or Kuzma.

Or Fox. Or Ball. Or potentially even Markkanen depending on how the situation with Mirotic/Portis develops.

These are the rookies with lottery talent that will get handed the keys to the car. And they are less likely to get docked if not producing, since they're on horrible teams.