OKC Thunder: Giddey stays in top 5 of TI’s week 3 rookie ladder

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No. 4 – Chris Duarte – Indiana Pacers

Rookie category rankings:

• 3-pointers made: 2.4 – first
• Points: 16.0 – second
• Field Goals Made: 6.2 – second
• Rebounds: 4.5 – fifth
• Steals: 1.0 – seventh
• Assists: 2.6 – eighth
• Field Goal Percent: 44.7%

In his first seven games, Chris Duarte took a larger role, playing 35.9 minutes to compensate for first for the absence of Caris LeVert then for Malcolm Brogdon.

He averaged 17.7 points (on 16.1 field goal attempts), 4.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 0.9 steals. He was blistering hot from the perimeter shooting 39.1 percent on 6.6 attempts.

With both LeVert and Brogdon back Duarte’s minutes dropped to 29.9 minutes a reduction of six minutes. In those four games, he averaged 13 points (on 9.8 field goal attempts), 4.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists,  and 1.3 steals. From the perimeter, he shot 50 percent on 4.5 attempts.

It’s logical the rookie’s point total, touches and minutes would all take a hit with the Pacers’ two star guards back. Impressively his rebound and assists barely dropped despite fewer minutes while his steals increased.

Yet the reason why he remained ahead of Franz Wagner on the ladder was based partially on his overall impact but primarily on the efficiency improvement. Notably, the field goals improved from 42.5 percent to 51.3 percent and his 3-point efficiency jumped over 10 percent from 39.1 to 50 percent.

Sure, his free throw efficiency dropped from 90.9 to 75 percent but it was on four attempts. Logically he would shoot closer to the initial seven games than the latter. And I mean – check out the skills on this kid …

That his efficiency rose is somewhat logical given uptick and talent, the improved court spacing, and the better shot opportunities. However, just because Duarte is getting better looks he still has to hit the shot and many players experience regression when their shot attempts decline.

Putting a finer point on the matter — assuming over a larger sample Duarte would shoot closer to the 90.9% from the line he’d be on track to join the NINE players (13 occasions)  who’ve reached the upper echelon of a 50-40-90 season.

It’s unfathomable a rookie could reach that benchmark and not likely truly realistic given the player must attempt 300 field goals, 82 three-pointers, and 125 free throws. The free throws are the glitch here given he’s only taken 15 in 11 games. Regardless, the fact he’s shooting that well and improving deserves recognition.