Rookie Power Rankings: Jabari Smith Jr. breaking out of early slump

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2022-23 season.

The rookie class has had impressive moments during the first quarter of the 2022-23 season. Several players have begun to separate themselves from the draft class pack.

The group has dealt with its fair share of injuries; several first-rounders have missed time. However, the players have shown why they were high picks and have had several noteworthy performances.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Tyrese Haliburton flexed how quickly he processes everything by breaking down his game-winning assist vs. the Lakers

Four seconds is a world of time for Tyrese Haliburton.

“Four seconds is a lot of time.” In any other context aside from basketball, that sounds like a completely ridiculous sentence.

How can four seconds be a lot of time? It’s literally just four seconds. That’s how it is for the rest of us. But in the world of NBA basketball? Four seconds is a lot of time — especially when you’ve got a dude like Tyrese Haliburton.

Don’t look now, but Haliburton is in the running for that fictional “best point guard in the NBA” title fans tend to dish out every season. Steph Curry is kind of a mile ahead of everyone else, but Haliburton is at least in the discussion. That’s why he’s on our MVP ladder, after all.  He’s led the Pacers to an incredible 12-8 record as the 4th seed in the East and they’ve also got a bonafide top-10 offense with him at the helm.

You’re probably asking how they’re doing this. After all, the Pacers are one of the teams that are supposed to be going winless for Wembanyama.

But it’s Haliburton’s insane processing speeds that are propelling them forward and — quite literally — earning them wins. He broke down his game-winning assist against the Lakers on Tuesday and it showed us just how quickly his mind moves in those clutch moments.

Simply put, four seconds for Tyrese Haliburton seems like a lifetime.

Haliburton knew exactly where everyone was and where everyone was going to be a half-second before they made it there. He knew how to bait LeBron James into hesitating for just a second only to then kick the ball out to Andrew Nembhard for the game-winning shot.

And he’s only doing this in his third year of playing NBA basketball.

So many other players would’ve just seen how little time they had left on the clock and decided to go for the shot. But Haliburton knew he could create something better with what he had left. He turned a scramble from an offensive rebound into a 3-pointer and that’s pretty incredible.

It’s no wonder he just became the first player in NBA history to have 40 assists with not a single turnover in a 3-game span.

Haliburton is beyond impressive. He’s an All-Star, to be sure. And is very quickly ascending up as one of the best guards in the NBA.

Buckle in, folks. We’re going to be talking about this dude and the Indiana Pacers for years to come.

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‘He’s not afraid’: Andrew Nembhard, Pacers beat Lakers on game-winner at the buzzer

Nembhard hit the first buzzer-beating game-winning shot by a Pacers player since November 2014.

Andrew Nembhard has been given praise all season by the Indiana Pacers for the grit and maturity he plays with each time he steps onto the basketball court.

He showed that once again when his team needed it the most.

Nembhard produced 12 points on Monday, including a 3-pointer to beat the buzzer and lift the Pacers to a 116-115 win on the road over the Los Angeles Lakers. He hit a career-high four 3s. The final shot was the first game-winner at the buzzer by the Pacers since November 2014.

It was his first game-winner at any level of basketball.

“You just stay calm when you work in the gym for those types of moments,” Nembhard said. “I think you just gotta bring your confidence and when it comes to you, you just gotta step up for the team. I think it was a great team win. We got a lot of contributions from a lot of guys and it was just my turn to step up in that moment.”

The Pacers trailed 101-84 with 9:59 left to play in the fourth quarter. They finished the game on a 32-14 run and had several players step up to complete the stunning comeback.

Bennedict Mathurin scored eight of his 23 points in the fourth quarter, while Aaron Nesmith chipped in six of his 16 points in the final frame. Tyrese Haliburton led the Pacers with 24 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds, and Myles Turner and Buddy Hield each had 15 points.

Indiana trailed by two points with 20.9 seconds left following a layup by LeBron James. Haliburton corraled the missed 3-point attempt by Turner on the ensuing possession and fired the ball to Nembhard, who just beat the buzzer over the outstretched arm of James.

“We found a guy that had fresh legs tonight, who played a terrific game and hit the game-winner,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “It was a joyous moment and you can tell that out on the floor. I’m really just so happy for the guys. This was a game where they just hung in and kept believing in each other.”

Nembhard not only lifted the Pacers to the win with his timely shot, but the 31st pick provided sound defense on James, who finished with 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and one steal in 36 minutes.

He was matched up with James throughout the contest, and held the future Hall of Famer scoreless. James missed all four of his shots with Nembhard as his primary defender and even had one attempt blocked, according to the NBA’s tracking data.

Carlisle was proud of the defensive effort by Nembhard.

He is one of our better defenders. Nobody is going to stop LeBron James but Andrew just has a good feel for making it difficult on good players and he has guarded some great players like LeBron. You guard superstar players as a rookie, you’ve got to have some real moxie to be able to do it and not get called for four after foul. He has shown some real veteran wherewithal and wisdom beyond his years. He is not afraid.

Said Haliburton:

He is the highest-paid second-round draft pick ever, right? There is a reason for that. He came here and was kind of looked at like a point guard and where was his fit on this team? We just have a lot of basketball players. We’re positionless. We have guys that can contribute in many different ways. He has come in and has guarded the best player every night. It’s not an easy task and he has really stepped up.

The Pacers improved to 1-1 on their seven-game West Coast road trip and 12-8 on the season with the win. They are fourth in the Eastern Conference and appear poised to improve upon their 25-57 record from a year ago.

The game gave the team a moment to celebrate.

“It is exciting just to see the work we’ve been doing lately and coming together and getting that win on this road trip,” Nembhard said. “It is a big moment for us and I’m happy we got to enjoy it together.”

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Rookie Power Rankings: Paolo Banchero, Bennedict Mathurin pace the class

Rookie Wire took a look at the top first-year players over the last two weeks of the 2022-23 season.

Through the first four weeks of the NBA season, the rookie class has put forth some tremendous performances. Several players stand out above the rest in the early going.

Of course, No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero came out of the gate on fire and leads the class in scoring. Bennedict Mathurin is a few points behind him in the scoring column, while Jaden Ivey continues to look electric so far.

In our second installment, some players cracked the rankings for the first time after a hot two-week stretch since our inaugural list came out. These newcomers have seemingly taken advantage of their opportunities and are making the most of them.

To make sense of it all, we took a look at the best recent performances of these first-year players and ranked them in the latest edition of the Rookie Wire Power Rankings. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the best players week to week.

Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard puts up career night in first-ever start

Nembhard earned his first start versus the Pelicans and the 31st pick turned in a career night in the process.

Indiana Pacers rookie Andrew Nembhard earned his first start on Monday versus the New Orleans Pelicans, and the 31st pick turned in a career night.

Nembhard produced a season-high 15 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals in the 129-122 win as the Pacers improved to 5-5. He finished 6-of-11 from the field, including 3-of-4 from 3-point range, in 33 minutes of work.

With Chris Duarte expected to miss 4-6 weeks with an ankle sprain, Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle turned to Nembhard to fill his minutes. Nembhard responded with his best game of the season and was effective on both ends of the floor.

Carlisle loved how Nembhard stepped up for the Pacers.

I thought Nembhard did what he does, which is an old-school game with a lot of moxie. He just plays a very mature, sensible and strong all-around game. He has made key plays late in the shot clock I don’t know how many times in the last three or four games. He has got wisdom that is beyond his years. In that starting lineup, my feeling is he can help the entire unit function better.

Nembhard previously came off the bench for the Pacers. He was viewed as a key player in the second unit and has often earned praise for his level of play in that role. He brought that ability into the starting lineup and performed well.

Carlisle has previously expressed confidence in Nembhard and has played him in crunchtime on several occasions. He seemingly makes the right plays on a nightly basis and just plays to his strengths and doesn’t force the issue while he is on the court.

He said that ability has been key for him in the early going.

I think playing four years in college allowed me the time to kind of mature, grow my game and understand kind of who I am. I think I do a good job of just playing within myself as well as being aggressive to kind of get loose every so often.

The Pacers have constructed a nice, young core over the past year after opting to retool. Nembhard and sixth pick Bennedict Mathurin have been great additions to a core that features Myles Turner, Buddy Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, Duarte and Isaiah Jackson.

The team looks to be on an upward trajectory based on its start and that has a lot to do with Nembhard and Mathurin. They have earned their playing time and appear poised to continue making plays when needed for their team.

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Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard earning praise in high-pressure moments

Nembhard had a key play late that helped the Pacers hold on and defeat the Heat on Friday.

Andrew Nembhard may have been the 31st pick in the NBA draft, but the 22-year-old is performing like a first-round pick in the early going for the Indiana Pacers.

The latest effort by Nembhard came on Friday when the Pacers (4-5) knocked off the Miami Heat, 101-99. Nembhard finished with four points but added six assists and three rebounds in 28 minutes of work off the bench, and he had a key play in the final seconds.

With the Pacers up by two points and less than five seconds remaining, Nembhard forced Tyler Herro into a tough 3-point shot that fell short as time expired. The Pacers won thanks in large part to the defensive effort by Nembhard, who was a team-high plus-13.

Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle was proud of Nembhard on that play.

He is tough. When you put a rookie on Tyler Herro in the last play of the game with a pretty good idea the ball is going to come to him and he makes that kind of a defensive stand, that is strong for a guy who was picked in the second round. We view him as a first-round pick.

Said Buddy Hield:

Hats off to Drew. He had Tyler Herro. Tyler Herro made a tough shot last game against Sacramento (to win the game), and Drew, a rookie, was put into that position. The coaches trust him and he was able to keep Tyler in front of him. It was pretty special to see him get that stop for his team.

Nembhard was one of three draft picks added to the roster this season, along with Bennedict Mathurin (sixth pick) and Kendall Brown (48th pick). Mathurin is off to an incredible start, averaging 20.7 points, 3.9 rebounds and 2.1 assists over the first nine games.

Certainly, Mathurin has stolen the headlines thus far, but Nembhard has also performed at a high level. He is averaging 5.3 points, 3.1 assists and two rebounds in 17.1 minutes over eight appearances. Or, per 36 minutes: 11 points, 6.6 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

The team has counted on Nembhard in several high-pressure situations, including his defensive stand on Herro. Along with Mathurin, the two rookies have played a key role for the Pacers so far and have impressed Carlisle to this point.

I don’t think (Nembhard) is fazed at all. I don’t think he is fazed one bit by any one big moment. This guy just goes out there and plays the game. His poise is one of his impressive attributes. Mathurin is unafraid. You talk about two guys that couldn’t give an (expletive) what everybody else thinks. These guys believe they belong out there and they’re doing some good things out there.

Said Hield:

Them two come in each and every day and work. Every time I come into the gym at night time, Benn and Andrew are always there working hard. Those guys want to get better each and every day. The coaching staff sees that and are putting them in the fire and they’re learning each and every day.

The Pacers have constructed a nice, young core over the past year after opting to retool a bit. Mathurin and Nembhard have been great additions to a core that features Myles Turner, Hield, Tyrese Haliburton, Chris Duarte and Isaiah Jackson.

The team looks to be on an upward trajectory based on its early start and that has a lot to do with Nembhard and Mathurin. They have earned their playing time and appear to be poised to continue making plays when needed for their team.

It could be the start of something special in Indianapolis.

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‘He was terrific’: Pacers’ Andrew Nembhard impresses in NBA debut

Nembhard was a healthy scratch in the season opener but stepped in and performed on Friday when his number was called.

Andrew Nembhard was a healthy scratch from the lineup in the Indiana Pacers‘ season opener, but he stepped in and performed on Friday when his number was called.

Nembhard produced 14 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals in a 137-134 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He went 5-of-12 from the field, including 2-of-7 from 3-point range, in a team-high 30 minutes off of the bench.

The Pacers, who trailed by 18 points on Wednesday versus the Washington Wizards, were down by 21 points against the Spurs. Nembhard was part of a second unit that helped keep the team in the game as the Pacers once again overcame a slow start.

“There are some things to build on like Nembhard’s performance tonight,” Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle said. “He was terrific. He played like a veteran and that’s great.”

Along with Nembhard, the Pacers received great production from Bennedict Mathurin (26 points, five rebounds), Isaiah Jackson (16 points, six rebounds) and Aaron Nesmith (nine points). The group had a chance to tie the game, but a 3-pointer by Mathurin was short as time expired.

The second unit gave the Pacers a great effort in the loss and fought until the end. The energy provided was certainly infectious as Carlisle kept them in for much of the game. The team has a next-man-up mantra, and Nembhard embodied that on Friday.

His performance impressed Tyrese Haliburton.

He was awesome. (He played) 30 minutes off the bench. He probably didn’t even know if he was going to play tonight, but that’s what we talked about. We’re a young team, guys have to be ready to go. Guys have to be ready to go and he was. He stepped up to the plate, took a big charge down the stretch that I wouldn’t even think to do. He just made a lot of big plays for us. He was really good today.

Following the game, Carlisle hinted changes could come to the starting lineup. The team recognizes there is competition up and down the roster for playing time and that could result in some adjustments should its early struggles continue.

Certainly, Nembhard likely proved worthy of a larger role. He stayed ready when his number was called and that resulted in a strong performance when the Pacers needed it.

Indiana returns to play on Saturday versus the Detroit Pistons.

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Chet Holmgren, Jaden Ivey among 14 rookies to sign with Nike

Holmgren and Ivey were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with the Swoosh.

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren and Detroit Pistons guard Jaden Ivey on Friday were among 14 rookies to sign endorsement contracts with Nike, the apparel company announced.

Holmgren and Ivey, as top-five picks, were viewed as top targets for apparel companies as each player projects to have a bright future in the NBA. They both have worn Nike shoes in the past and will continue to do so after opting to sign with the Swoosh.

Related: No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero reacts to signing with Jordan Brand

Nike had a busy signing period with the incoming rookie class after coming to terms with 12 other first-year players. They signed 12 first-round picks and two second-round picks for the 2022-23 season after a relatively quiet class over the past few years because of the pandemic.

Here are the 14 rookies that signed with Nike this season.

2022 NBA draft: 10 bold rookie predictions for the 2022-23 season

Rookie Wire decided to put on our thinking caps and predict the future with 10 bold predictions for the upcoming season.

The 2022-23 regular season officially tipped off in the NBA on Tuesday as four teams hit the court to much fanfare in front of a national audience on TNT.

The Golden State Warriors proved to be the team to beat as defending champions after making easy work of the Los Angeles Lakers. Meanwhile, the Boston Celtics showed little signs of any inner turmoil with an impressive win over the Philadelphia 76ers.

Of course, there will be plenty of other storylines to follow in each conference as the season progresses. Several teams figure to be in the playoff picture after a busy offseason while others will continue to develop and progress in their respective rebuilding efforts.

The incoming rookie class also figures to be worth monitoring, as well.

The group was dealt an unfortunate injury to No. 2 pick Chet Holmgren, who will miss the entire season, but the class figures to be entertaining to watch. Some players have already put themselves on the map after a strong exhibition run.

Rookie Wire decided to put on our thinking caps and predict the future. We made 10 bold predictions for the class and offered an opinion on what we might see this season. To make this exercise fun, we will come back at the end of the season and see how we did.

Here is how we fared last season. We didn’t do particularly well.