[jwplayer bn1d4NYZ]
Back when in October when basketball was being played, we made 10 bold predictions here on Rookie Wire for the Class of 2019 heading into the 2019-20 season.
We vowed to come back to the list to see just how we did, either good or bad. After further review, some of the predictions were just too bold and didn’t come close to happening.
With the season in jeopardy due to the coronavirus pandemic, we decided to revisit the predictions since the regular season likely won’t be played in full, although no official decision has been made.
So, buckle up and let’s see just how we did, and please don’t alert the authorities at Freezing Cold Takes.
1. Matisse Thybulle will finish inside the top 5 in steals among all players
Verdict: Wrong
We had good reason to believe this could happen. Thybulle ranked third among all players in steals during the preseason and was just coming off of an outstanding year at Washington in which he won Defensive Player of the Year. Ultimately, though, his 80 total steals were tied for 22nd among all players prior to the suspension of the regular season on March 11.
2. Tyler Herro will set the NBA rookie record for most 3-pointers
Verdict: Wrong
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell set the rookie record for most 3-pointers in a season with 187. Mitchell shot 34% (187-of-550) from beyond the arc as a rookie and played 33.4 minutes per game. In contrast, Herro made 99 3-pointers this season and averaged 27.2 minutes in 47 games but missed 18 games due to a foot injury and really never had a chance to break the record. His 2.1 3-point makes per game would have fallen short of the goal needed but it likely would have been close had he been healthy all season. Despite missing so much time, Herro’s 99 makes are still fifth among all rookies.
3. Chris Clemons will earn a standard NBA contract from the Rockets
Verdict: Correct
The undrafted guard started off the season on a two-way contract and eventually earned a standard contract from the Houston Rockets in December. Though he has yet to see consistent playing time, Clemons has provided a spark off of the bench at times throughout the season.
4. Zion Williamson will still win the Rookie of the Year award
Verdict: Wrong
Back in October, the initial timeline for Williamson to return from knee surgery was mid-to-late December. Of course, Williamson wouldn’t debut until Jan. 22 and logged only 19 games this season with the New Orleans Pelicans. Of course, a Rookie of the Year winner has not yet been crowned but it is a virtual certainty that Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant will win. Had Williamson debuted on time like most had thought, the ROY race would have been closer than it is now.
5. Ja Morant will average at least 10 assists during the upcoming season
Verdict: Wrong, again
While Morant has been an assist machine at times this season, he finished shy of that mark with 6.9 assists per game at the time of the season suspension. He fell well short of the prediction, but, hey, they are called bold predictions for a reason. Morant led all rookies in assists, though, and ranked 14th among all players.
6. Tacko Fall will win the G League Defensive Player of the Year award
Verdict: TBD
While an official decision has yet to be announced, the NBA G League season is basically canceled. The end-of-season awards have not been announced though it is still possible the 7-foot-5 Fall earns the Defensive Player of the Year award. Fall averaged 12.9 points, 11.1 rebounds and 2.9 blocks in 29 games played. He finished sixth in rebounding and third in blocks while his 18 double-doubles ranked eighth. He also nearly recorded a point-rebound-block triple-double this season. We’re holding out hope Fall wins to help our prediction rate here…
7. Carsen Edwards will place on an All-Rookie NBA Team
Verdict: No chance
Edwards made just 35 appearances in the NBA with the Boston Celtics and averaged just three points per game. He spent some time in the G League at one point and never seriously challenged for playing time. So, what had happened was… We may have overreacted to some of his electric performances in the preseason and placed a huge prediction on him.
8. R.J. Barrett will start every game he plays for the Knicks
Verdict: Wrong
Barrett earned the start in 55 of the New York Knicks’ 56 games this season. After missing nine games due to a sprained right ankle, Barrett came off of the bench in his first game back on Feb. 6 against the Orlando Magic and logged just 18 minutes of work. He started each game after that through the season suspension.
9. Jordan Poole will log at least 25 minutes per game with the Warriors
Verdict: Wrong
Poole averaged 22.3 minutes per game this season with the Golden State Warriors. The team leaned on him heavily at the beginning of the year after dealing with injuries to several players. Poole was eventually relegated to the G League after struggling but that stint with Santa Cruz proved to help him as he started to get back on track prior to the coronavirus pandemic.
10. Coby White will place on an All-Rookie First Team
Verdict: Doubtful
White largely had an up-and-down rookie campaign but was one of the hottest players in the NBA in February and March. He scored at least 30 points in three straight games from Feb. 22-25 and averaged 24.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.8 rebounds on 40.7% shooting from 3-point range in 10 games after the All-Star break. While a place on the First Team seems far fetched, it is worth noting awards voter Zach Lowe of ESPN had White on his Second Team.
*****
Upon further review, we were way off with these predictions. But despite batting just 10% this year, we figured what would be more fun than exposing some cold takes?
We hope to get back on track next season, when that time comes.
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