OKC Thunder Giddy among special rookie performances in week 9

A side effect of the surging Omricon variant is more rookies are getting increased playing time. So far the OKC Thunder have avoided a serious outbreak (knock on wood) and we’ll hope that remains the case.

The opposite end of this equation is rookies are also at risk of catching the virus with Evan Mobley being the first of the elite rookies impacted. He was joined by Scottie Barnes and Cade Cunningham as the virus hit the Raptors and Pistons.

Barring the players providing two negative PCR tests in 24 hours they’ll have to quarantine for 10 days. Looking at each player the following offers the maximum stay in quarantine each would miss assuming they didn’t take extra days for conditioning:

• Mobley: Dec. 18th to 27th, miss three games (Bucks, Celtics Raptors), back for Dec 28th vs. Pelicans (of note he’s listed as questionable to play Sunday versus Toronto).
• Barnes: Dec. 21st to 30th, miss two games (Cavaliers, 76ers), potentially back for Clippers, Dec. 31. He’s one of two (OG Anunoby) of the eight Raptors out not listed as questionable for Sunday implying he probably has symptoms.
• Cade Cunningham: Dec. 22 to 31st, miss three games (Heat, Spurs, Knicks) back for Spurs, Jan. 1st. Like all six Pistons in quarantine he’s listed as questionable for Sunday.

Since it’s the holiday with all teams off on Christmas Eve and only 10 teams playing on the 25th it equates to fewer games in the schedule and therefore not a huge blip in the player’s RoY campaign.

OKC Thunder: Giddey among special rookie performances in week 9

Prior to diving into Intentions top five on the ladder in week nine a few hat tips from some other strong performances.

Two Brooklyn Nets took advantage of their increased playing time. Kessler Edwards delivered a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds (and hit 3 of 6 deep balls) on the Raptors. The more impressive of the two Nets rookies was David Duke who posted two double-doubles in week nine including 10 points and 13 rebounds versus Toronto plus 18 points and 14 rebounds versus the Magic. Of note, both are in protocols now, as is Cam Thomas.

They were making solid impacts so it be intriguing to see whether Steve Nash continues to give them all minutes once Kevin Durant (and Kyrie Irving/road only) are back and the Nets are fully healthy.

Kudos also go out to Jonathan Kuminga who got ample run in the Raptors -Warriors game with so many of the starters sent home early. He offered insights as to why there was so much pre-draft buzz about his potential. Kuminga scored a career-best 26 points hitting four of his six 3-pointers.

Hat tip as well to Intentions favorite Alperen Sengun who posted a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds against the Cavaliers. Sengun continues to check off all the boxes posting an average of 10 points, six rebounds (2.8 OR), 3.5 assists, and 1.8 blocks week nine in only 22.5 minutes.

Other Intentions favorites continue to impress with added playing time including Herb Jones and Bones Hyland both of whom offer two-way capabilities.