The NBA season is underway, and the incoming rookie class has already produced some strong performances through the first half-dozen games.
No. 1 pick Victor Wembanyama has looked the part of a generational player, while another 7-footer, Oklahoma City forward Chet Holmgren, is finding early success. Other first-year players have also found their way with outstanding performances, too.
Draymond Green likes what he is seeing from the group.
Green and the Golden State Warriors have already faced some of the top rookies this season: Holmgren, Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson, and Detroit Pistons guards Ausar Thompson and Marcus Sasser.
He believes it is a unique group of players this year.
When you look at this rookie class, it doesn’t really look like a rookie class. Even our two rookies (Brandin Podziemski and Trayce Jackson-Davis), if you put those guys in the game, they don’t make mistakes that rookies make. It is the same thing for the Thompson twins and Wemby. You start to look down at the list and even Marcus Sasser — they don’t look like rookies. I think it’s an incredible class.
"I feel a way about the Thompson twins and Wemby because those guys are making it much harder for me to continue to make All-Defensive teams."
Draymond shows love to this year's rookie class 🤝 pic.twitter.com/F73Oej9xqH
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) November 7, 2023
Green even joked that the arrival of the Wembanyama and the Thompson twins in the league would make it harder for him to earn a place on an All-Defensive team this season based on their effectiveness on that end of the court.
The three players have been, perhaps, the top defenders from the class in the early going. Of course, Wembanyama has the size to defend the paint and the athleticism to close out on the 3-point line. The Thompson twins have dazzled as on-ball and weak-side defenders.
The art of defending, Green believes, is a bit rare now for first-year players coming into the league. He is excited to see that change with this group entering the league.
“I’m happy to see young guys coming into this league taking on the challenge of defending,” Green said. “So many young guys come into this league (looking to) score; it’s all about scoring: ‘How can I get my shot off?’ It is such the wrong mindset to come in with. It is good to see these guys come in with a different mindset.”
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