NBA Rookie Report – Top rookie performers through January 1, 2017
Specifically, the Thunder rookies played games versus the Portland Trail Blazers, Utah Jazz, Phoenix Suns, Atlanta Hawks, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves, Miami Heat, Memphis Grizzlies, and the Los Angeles Clippers.
Oklahoma City Thunder played three games in week 8, four in week 9 and three in week 10. Although the rookies have been used in varying degrees, all three players saw more run specifically over this section of games. This was due largely to the absence of Victor Oladipo who was out for all but one of the 10 games (Clippers).
Domantas Sabonis:
Through the 10 games Sabonis averaged 6.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.7 blocks and 0.9 made threes.
Domantas’ best scoring game was versus the Celtics when he posted 20 points and hit 4 of 6 triples. His best rebounding effort came against Portland. Arguably his worst effort came against the Atlanta Hawks. Certainly, if Sabonis had faced Dwight Howard’s rim protection one could understand his poor showing, but Howard didn’t play on this evening making his performance and the loss all the more disconcerting.
RELATED CONTENT: Domantas Sabonis’ Chances of Winning Rookie of the Year
Some pundits (including some of my peers at Thunderous Intentions) feel Domo should be relegated to the reserve unit. The question is would Sabonis perform better against other reserve units (likely), but how much would it affect his growth, or more accurately would it stall how quickly he grows?
Another notable factor during this segment of games is Domantas’ famous father Arvydas spent time together over Christmas. In a father-son download, Arvydas advice to his son was to begin games with a focus on being more aggressive, specifically to start games. Keep an eye moving forward to see if Domantas takes his father’s advice to heart.
Semaj Christon:
Through the 10 games, Christon averaged 3.7 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists. Over the course of the season, Christon has provided back-up point guard duties with the long term vision obviously being to just get to the point when Cameron Payne can return.
Interestingly these past ten games have arguably been Christon’s best period of the season. It’s a typical situation since Payne’s return will likely mean Christon will head to the D-League.
RELATED STORY: Analyzing the performance and effect of Semaj Christon
Alex Abrines:
For Abrines the injury to Oladipo turned into an opportunity for him to gain playing time. Abrines averaged 8.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.2 assists, and rediscovered his long-range shot hitting 22 of 53 attempts or 41.5%.
Progressively over these 10 games, Abrines has regained his confidence. And while he was very sharp in the Pelicans game it was the Clippers game where it was clear on both ends of the floor that he needs to get consistent playing time. Unfortunately, this game was also the one in which he got injured.
The bottom line for a team in desperate need of more 3-point shooters, Abrines is one of the few players on the roster who can provide that asset.
RELATED STORY: The origin story of Alex Abrines