With the season nearing an end, it is the time of year to start giving out the regular season awards. At Def Pen, we will be giving out our picks for the different awards in the NBA. The Rookie of the Year is an award given to the best rookie in a given season, the rookie of the year, and that player typically becomes a star in the league. This year, it looks as though there are many future stars that could win the award, making the choices very difficult.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns, Nikola Jokic and Emmanuel Mudiay of the Denver Nuggets, Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell, Miami Heat wingman Justise Winslow and Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers have all had their moments but the top three pick for this award have had the most success in their rookie campaign. One thing is for certain though, this rookie class may go down as one of the best of all-time.
3. Jahlil Okafor
Jahlil Okafor has been a solid contributor in his rookie season, grabbing 7.0 RPG, good for 3rd among rookies, and averaging 17.5 PPG. He has been extremely consistent with his shot, shooting 51% from the floor. Defensively, Okafor has been solid, blocking 1.15 shots per game. In his rookie season, Jahlil has been an outstanding scorer in the low post. He is a good rebounder and defender, and he looks like he is going to have a good future in the NBA. His rookie season might have come to an early end but if he sticks around in Philly, he will definitely be the 76ers go-to guy down the road.
2. Kristaps Porzingis
Porzingis has had a phenomenal season, proving all the Knicks fans who booed him when he was drafted that they should’ve clapped instead. Porzingis has looked like a young Dirk Nowitzki, but Porzingis is able to look like a guard at times when he does things. He is a freak of nature, or the NBA’s version of a unicorn as Kevin Durant said, standing 7’3″ tall and he’s shown the ability to jump out of the gym on multiple occassions. The thing is, he can shoot very well. In his rookie season, he is shooting 33% from three. He has been a solid scoring option for the Knicks, putting up 14.3 PPG on 42% shooting.
Kristaps is a great scorer, but he is also an excellent rebounder. He is second among rookies with 7.3 RPG, and he is averaging 12.3 rebounds per 48 minutes. He has also been a great rim protector, averaging 1.85 BPG which is best among rookies. He has been an excellent player for the Knicks, and with Porzingis, they look like they have a bright future ahead of them.
1. Karl-Anthony Towns
Karl-Anthony Towns has been phenomenal in his rookie season. He could’ve easily been an all-star, he won the Skills Challenge, and despite an early push from Porzingis, he will definitely win the Rookie of the Year Award. He is averaging a double-double with 18.2 PPG and 10.3 RPG, and both of these stats lead all rookies. He has shown a solid shooting ability with his three-point percentage at 34%, and he is shooting 55% from the field. He’s also won all of the Western Conference rookie of the month awards since the season started.
Towns is second among rookies with 1.73 BPG, and last year’s first overall pick has shown potential to be a superstar someday. He is the 2nd leading scorer on his team, only behind last year’s ROY Andrew Wiggins. With Wiggins, Towns, Zach LaVine and their projected top five pick this season, the Timberwolves look like they will be a very prosperous team.
