The big question on every NBA fan's mind… “Who will win the Rookie of the Year title?”
Every year the NBA Rookie of the Year Award is given to the league's most outstanding first-year player. This year is special, as the NBA plans to announce the winners at the NBA Awards, which have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two seasons.
Rookie of the Year is one of the few awards that rarely take into account the overall team's success. Due to the nature of the player pool, the voting panel frequently tends to favor individual performance above all other contributing factors. How do they choose the best rookie of the year? We mean, what kind of player do the voters even choose?
Well, we can always make a guess! We'll start by highlighting the award's frontrunners, and then give you our pick to win the award in 2023!
Every year the NBA Rookie of the Year Award is given to the league's most outstanding first-year player. This year is special, as the NBA plans to announce the winners at the NBA Awards, which have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the last two seasons.
Rookie of the Year is one of the few awards that rarely take into account the overall team's success. Due to the nature of the player pool, the voting panel frequently tends to favor individual performance above all other contributing factors. How do they choose the best rookie of the year? We mean, what kind of player do the voters even choose?
Well, we can always make a guess! We'll start by highlighting the award's frontrunners, and then give you our pick to win the award in 2023!
Chet Holmgren
Chet Holmgren is currently at the heart of the Oklahoma City Thunder's unique future plan for their team. This 7-foot-1 center has long been one of the most intriguing talents in amateur basketball, and he will now work for one of the league's youngest teams.
Chet is a one-of-a-kind offensive talent with almost unrivaled stature and abilities. He has proven to be more than adept as a rim protector in addition to being a force on the offensive end.
Chet is a one-of-a-kind offensive talent with almost unrivaled stature and abilities. He has proven to be more than adept as a rim protector in addition to being a force on the offensive end.
However, his body is one of his shortcomings, as it lacks the strength one expects from an NBA player. However, if he's able to overcome the limitations of this small issue (which we're sure he will), no one can stop him from becoming the star he already is!
Paolo Banchero
As soon as the game begins, Banchero is going to be the Magic's top offensive player. You don't pick him first overall and then have him come off the bench for Franz Wagner. Banchero can switch between playing small forward, power forward, and center, offering the Magic versatility and, more importantly for our wager, a ton of playing time.
We mean, come on! We're looking at 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game, which is exactly what reigning winner Scottie Barnes accomplished in the last season in Toronto. However, Barnes was the ideal complement to a team with two All-Stars (Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam), while Banchero will be the scoring focal point for the offense on his own squad.
We mean, come on! We're looking at 14 points, seven rebounds, and four assists per game, which is exactly what reigning winner Scottie Barnes accomplished in the last season in Toronto. However, Barnes was the ideal complement to a team with two All-Stars (Fred Van Fleet and Pascal Siakam), while Banchero will be the scoring focal point for the offense on his own squad.
In a nutshell, Banchero, who served as the team's focal point, made his Summer League debut with 17 points, six assists, and four rebounds. His star status was after that performance, and he will be given every opportunity to shine. One thing we're sure of is that he will definitely prove his worth in the 2022/23 season!
Keegan Murray
Keegan Murray could be your best option if you strive to make your best guess. In fact, this lowa star has better and longer odds than Banchero. Also, unlike Paolo, he would not be the biggest part of Sacramento's offense this season. Although De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are the leaders of the developing Kings club (which could challenge for a play-in position), Murray can still contribute even if both these guys are to be the team's focal point.
In addition to this, Murray was the offensive rating leader in Ken Pomeroy's offensive rating stat last season, making him the analytics darling of college basketball. His high offensive IQ should translate into a Scottie Barnes-like role for Sacramento, where he performs all the minor tasks required for a team in need of stat sheet stuffers.
In addition to this, Murray was the offensive rating leader in Ken Pomeroy's offensive rating stat last season, making him the analytics darling of college basketball. His high offensive IQ should translate into a Scottie Barnes-like role for Sacramento, where he performs all the minor tasks required for a team in need of stat sheet stuffers.
He achieved the coveted 50/40/90 shooting percentages in the California Classic Summer League, averaging 19.7 points, eight rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. Wow!
Who's the Winner? Here's Our Pick!
Keegan Murray, definitely!
Keegan Murray may never have been the first name that came to mind when one thought of the Rookie of the Year award, but one cannot disagree that after an MVP-worthy campaign through the 2022 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, he caught all the attention!
Keegan Murray may never have been the first name that came to mind when one thought of the Rookie of the Year award, but one cannot disagree that after an MVP-worthy campaign through the 2022 NBA Las Vegas Summer League, he caught all the attention!
Lastly, may the best man win. Happy NBA Season!