Tag: tyler herro

Tyler Herro was forced to guard Jimmy Butler in Heat pick-up games

Several Heat players, including Bam Adebayo, arranged for Herro to guard Butler on the court to see what the rook had and how he’d react.

As the case is each year, rookies often face a tough transition from college to the NBA. That process can be even harder if you’re immediately forced to guard four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler, as Tyler Herro found out.

After joining the Heat, Herro was around the organization for much of the summer as he adjusted to his new team. He often played pick-up games with his teammates and even joined Butler for his infamous 4 a.m. workouts.

Once Butler officially arrived in Miami, several Heat players, including Bam Adebayo, arranged for Herro to guard Butler on the court to see what the rook had and how he’d react. The three players discussed that, and more, in an interview with Slam Magazine as they grace the Slam 225 cover.

Adebayo: We threw him in the fire, Day 1. First day of pickup, we made him guard Jimmy.

Butler: I was killing you, too.

Herro: I wasn’t scoring?

Butler: You weren’t scoring on me. I’m not going for that [expletive].

Herro: Was I scoring?

Butler: You were not scoring on me.

Adebayo: We threw him in the fire and we wanted to see how he’d react. He didn’t shy away from it.

The team chemistry with Butler in the picture now has been strong as he has fit in seamlessly so far. He has been seen joking around with his teammates and has been impressed by what he has seen in Herro and fellow rookie Kendrick Nunn.

“Jimmy has taken me under his wing since the summer and really just pushed me and showed me the right way and has given me confidence and has really put me in the right spots,” Herro said.

As for that time he guarded Butler in practice, Herro said he thought he did well until Butler started taking it seriously. He is likely happy he doesn’t have to guard him when the games really matter.

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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Paschall, Hachimura climb in Week 6

Rookie Wire takes a look at the top rookies through the sixth week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

With another week in the books, the rooks continue to show out.

From Eric Paschall to Rui Hachimura, the class had a number of outstanding performances and they show no signs of slowing. Players continue to progress in their development and it has made for some entertaining basketball.

Rookie Wire will compile the rankings of the five best players each week based on how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the top-performing players week to week.

Here are the Rookie Wire Power Rankings for Week 6:

All stats are through games played on Dec. 3

5. Rui Hachimura, Wizards

Stats: 13.4 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Rank Last Week: Honorable Mention

Rui Hachimura has seemingly broken out of his recent slump and has done so in a big way. The ninth overall pick is averaging 16.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and two assists over his last four games, including a career-high 30 points on Sunday against the Los Angeles Clippers. His performance garnered praise from the likes of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard as they believe Hachimura can be one of the best long-term rookies from this draft class.

4. Tyler Herro, Heat

Stats: 14 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2 assists

Rank Last Week: 5

Herro is still fifth among all rookies in scoring at 14 points per game. He recently drained a career-high five 3-pointers on Friday en route to 19 points against the Golden State Warriors. Herro is just a hair under 40% shooting from beyond the arc, something the Heat will certainly need throughout the season in order to maintain their strong start. The group is coming off of an impressive overtime win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday and they appear to be among the best in the Eastern Conference.

3. Kendrick Nunn, Heat

Stats: 15.7 points, 3.4 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals

Rank Last Week: 2

Despite being named the Eastern Conference Player of the Month, Nunn has struggled as of late. The undrafted guard is averaging 10.5 points over his last four games while he is shooting just 29.3% from the field, including 17.9% (5-of-28) from 3-point range. Nunn has certainly played like one of the top rookies to this point of the season but has gone cold over the past week or so. Given the work he has put in, it seems reasonable to believe he’ll snap out of his slump and return to the player that put up 16.4 points per game in October and November.

2. Eric Paschall, Warriors

Stats: 17.3 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists

Rank Last Week: 3

With injuries decimating the Warriors, Paschall has been arguably the MVP of the team this season. He has been among the hottest first-year players after averaging 20.8 points over his last four games on 53.8% shooting from the field, including 62.5% (5-of-8) from 3-point range. Paschall has utilized his strength and athleticism to score over defenders and has also used his mid-range shot to add to his array of offensive skills. The injury to Ja Morant could potentially open the door for Paschall in the Rookie of the Year race and he could be the top player to benefit should Morant miss extended time.

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Stats: 18.6 points, 6.4 assists, 3.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals

Rank Last Week: 1

Though Morant is considered to be week-to-week with back spasms, the Western Conference Rookie of the Month held onto the top spot–for now. After crashing into a courtside camera operator on Nov. 25, Morant played in the next two games for the Grizzlies before aggravating his back injury on Friday against the Utah Jazz. Morant still put up 15.5 points, 7.5 assists, four rebounds and 2.5 steals in two games while dealing with a sore back. The Grizzlies are certainly going to be cautious with his injury so his status moving forward will be worth monitoring.

Honorable Mention:

R.J. Barrett, Knicks: 14.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals

Barrett appeared to be back on track after recording at least 16 points in three straight games but followed that up with a two-point performance on Monday in which he missed all nine shot attempts. Even worse than that, the Knicks lost by 44 points to the Milwaukee Bucks. The up-and-down swings will likely stay throughout the season, as is the case with most rookies, but Barrett has at least proven to be entertaining to watch. The same can’t be said for the rest of the team.

De’Andre Hunter, Hawks: 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 assists

After a slow start to the season, Hunter is up to eighth in scoring among rookies. He is coming off of an 18-point performance Monday on his 22nd birthday but suffered a dislocated right index finger and is listed as doubtful to play Wednesday against the Brooklyn Nets. In any case, the injury doesn’t sound too severe so he may not miss much time, if any at all.

Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies: 11.8 points, 5.9 rebounds, 1.3 assists

Clarke has been among the most efficient players in the league this season and has emerged as a key contributor for the Grizzlies. Unfortunately, Clarke is also considered to be week-to-week after aggravating a left oblique injury. Clarke re-injured himself in the first half on Monday and did not return to the game. While Clarke could miss a few games, he has still been a bright spot this season.

On the Rise:

P.J. Washington, Hornets

After a strong start to the season, Washington trailed off a bit but has gotten back on track. Over his last four games, Washington is averaging 15.3 points and four rebounds. The Hornets are 6-1 when Washington records at least 15 points.

Darius Garland, Cavaliers

Garland has emerged for the Cavaliers over the past few weeks as he appears to be settling in. Head coach John Beilein believes Garland is beginning to really grasp the offense and that has resulted in improved play from the fifth overall pick.

Dropped Out:

Coby White, Bulls

Week 1 Power Rankings | Week 2 Power Rankings | Week 3 Power Rankings | Week 4 Power Rankings | Week 5 Power Rankings

Warriors open road trip in Miami with 122-105 loss vs. surging Heat

The talent of the Miami Heat was too much for the young Golden State Warriors, but rookie Jordan Poole was able to put together one of his best performances of his young career.

The wins haven’t been there, but over the past handful of games, the Golden State Warriors have looked like a competent team. They’ve battled wire-to-wire against teams with far better talent, but against the Miami Heat, it was a different story.

The Heat showed why they’re one of the league’s best-looking teams to start the 2019-20 season. Jimmy Butler and rookie standout, Tyler Herro, whacked the Warriors from start to finish ending in a 122-105 post-Thanksgiving beatdown.

First Quarter

This game started and virtually ended in the first quarter for the Warriors. The Heat jumped out to a 20-point lead in the opening period on 16-for-21 shooting from the floor and 6-of-8 beyond the arc.

Michigan product, Duncan Robinson, splashed four three-pointers good for 12 points in the first quarter. While Alec Burks added 10 for Golden State, the rest of the Warriors only combined for only 11 total points. Ontop of hot shooting to start the game, the Heat outrebounded Golden State 14-5 in the first quarter alone.

The Warriors played Miami fairly even in the second and third quarters. However, they could never overcome the opening punch before the Heat dropped the knockout blow in the fourth and final quarter.

Jordan Poole

The Warriors 2019 first-round draft pick, Jordan Poole, has had his early struggles widely documented, but the rookie took his step in the right direction after having one of his best shooting nights in South Beach.

Poole knocked down five three-pointers on six attempts— his best night beyond the arc in his career. Poole tied his NBA career-high with 20 points against Miami, but it wasn’t what was in the box score that was encouraging about Poole’s night.

For one of the first times in weeks, Poole looked confident on the court; he looked like he was having fun. Poole wasn’t forcing anything, using his ability to put the ball on the floor when needed, and even started throwing around a nice shot-fake. Most of Poole’s shots came in rhythm, which is something he’s struggled to find as a rookie.

Defensive Struggles

The Warriors are coming off one of their best defensive performances of the season against the Chicago Bulls, only allowing 90 total points, but in Miami, the defensive unit was a problem.

Over Golden State’s recent stretch with Draymond Green back, and the arrival of Ky Bowman, the Warriors defense has improved, but their issues containing the pick-and-roll crept back up in South Beach.

Goran Dragic came off the bench and was unstoppable, running the pick-and-roll against the Warriors limited defense. Dragic scored 20-points off the bench and dropped five dimes.

The Heat didn’t do Golden State’s hobbled defense any favors, shooting over 50 percent from the field and three-point range.

Even after a 17-point loss, there’s still a positive feeling surrounding the Warriors as they could be getting back Kevon Looney, D’Angelo Russell and Jacob Evans III at some point during the team’s current road trip.

Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Herro, Hunter rise up the ranks in Week 5

Rookie Wire took a look at the top rookies through the fifth week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

The 2019 NBA Draft class has continued to impress this season.

The group has produced some fascinating storylines thus far with the emergence of several under-the-radar players while the top players selected are playing as expected.

Rookie Wire will compile the rankings of the five best players each week based on how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the top-performing players week to week.

Here are the Rookie Wire Power Rankings for Week 5:

Week 1 Power Rankings | Week 2 Power Rankings | Week 3 Power Rankings | Week 4 Power Rankings

All stats are through games played on Nov. 26

5. Tyler Herro, Heat

Stats: 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists

Rank Last Week: Honorable Mention

Herro returns to the rankings for the first time since Week 1 after showing out recently for the Heat. The 13th overall pick is back up to fifth in scoring among all rookies after recording 18 points in three of his last four games. Herro has proven to be able to get hot this season and is seemingly always a candidate to go off, thus making him one of the top rookies to watch on any given night. His swag, as Jimmy Butler said, is one reason to tune in.

4. Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Stats: 12.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.1 blocks

Rank Last Week: 4

While Ja Morant has captured the bulk of the headlines in Memphis, and rightfully so, Brandon Clarke has also emerged onto the scene. While he is seventh in scoring, Clarke gets it done all over the court and his shot selection has truly been a revelation. He is one of the most efficient players in the league after shooting 63.6% from the field and has developed one of the nicest floaters in the NBA today. An expanded role in the Grizzlies’ system could increase his numbers but he has flourished to this point of the season.

3. Eric Paschall, Warriors

Stats: 16.5 points, 5.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists

Rank Last Week: 3

The second-round pick has certainly not played like one this season. Paschall is third in scoring average among rookies but is second in total points scored, trailing Ja Morant by just five. Given the number of injuries to the Warriors, Paschall has emerged as one of the top options on offense and has been a bright spot for the team thus far. He is coming off of his second double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds in a loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder.

2. Kendrick Nunn, Heat

Stats: 16.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.3 steals

Rank Last Week: 2

Nunn is fresh off of one of his most efficient outings of the season on Monday night. The undrafted guard recorded 19 points against the Charlotte Hornets on 7-of-10 shooting from the field, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Nunn recently told Alex Kennedy of HoopsHype that he believes he can be a future All-Star and his first season with the Heat certainly has the makings of a successful career.

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Stats: 19.1 points, 6.3 assists, 3.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals

Rank Last Week: 1

Morant turned in one of his most impressive games of the season on Saturday in a shootout with the Los Angeles Lakers. He recorded 26 points, six assists, five steals and three rebounds in the one-point loss. Morant became the first rookie since John Wall in 2010 to reach those numbers in a game. He followed that performance up with 19 points for his second career double-double on Monday in a game in which he left briefly after taking a scary fall into a courtside camera operator. He would return to the game and appeared to be fine but the Grizzlies certainly caught a break after he wasn’t seriously hurt.

Honorable Mention:

R.J. Barrett, Knicks: 15.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.4 steals

Barrett averaged 10.5 points over his last two games after sitting out Sunday due to an illness. He is still fourth in scoring among rookies and will look to get back on track Wednesday on the road against his hometown Toronto Raptors.

Coby White, Bulls: 13.6 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists

The boom-or-bust potential with White has been fascinating this season. He recorded a career-high 28 points on Saturday but followed that up with eight points on Monday. If he can gain some consistency this season, White would certainly have a place among the best in the rookie class. He is shooting 43.5% from 3-point range over his last four games.

Rui Hachimura, Wizards: 12.5 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.6 assists

Hachimura has struggled some over his last four games after shooting 43.6% from the field for the Wizards. Like White, he has also had issues with consistency at times as his playing time has been sporadic. Hachimura has shown flashes this season but, like most rookies, is still learning the ins and outs of the NBA.

On the Rise:

De’Andre Hunter, Hawks:

Suddenly, after a slow start to the season, Hunter has been on a tear recently. He scored the most points among rookies over the past week and is averaging 19.5 points over his last four games. He is shooting 50% from the field and 50% (11-of-22) from beyond the arc in that span.

Ky Bowman, Warriors:

The Warriors’ two-way rookie is averaging 19 points over his last three games, including a career-high 24 points against the Thunder on Monday. He has been on fire from all over the floor and is producing in a pinch for the injury-rattled Warriors.

Shout Out:

Tremont Waters, Celtics

With Kemba Walker out on Monday, the Celtics called up Waters from the G League. The two-way guard may have only scored seven points in his NBA debut but he made quite an impression on the team and it likely won’t be the last time we see Waters with the Celtics.

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Kentucky Connection: Tyler Herro and P.J. Washington swapped jerseys

Former Kentucky teammates Tyler Herro and P.J. Washington swapped jerseys on Monday after facing each other for the first time in the NBA.

Former Kentucky Wildcats teammates Tyler Herro and P.J. Washington swapped jerseys on Monday night after facing each other for the first time in the NBA.

As division rivals with the Miami Heat and Charlotte Hornets, the two will face each other four times this season but the first meeting on Monday was certainly memorable for them.

Herro took home the first victory after recording 18 points on 6-of-13 shooting from the field while Washington had eight points, four rebounds and two steals.

The two players became close friends during their lone season at Kentucky and helped the Wildcats reach the Elite Eight last year. Of course, Herro went on to become the 13th pick while Washington was the 12th overall pick.

(Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Afterward, Herro called Washington his brother and commended him for his effort in the matchup on Monday.

Herro and Washington were just two of the former Wildcats on the floor, joining Bam Adebayo, Malik Monk and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist as the others.

The next meeting between the two teams is March 11 in Miami.

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Eric Paschall leads all rookies in one of the NBA’s most notable stats

Eric Paschall is in the top-three in points per game, points scored and total rebounds for all-rookies in the NBA.

Eric Paschall’s rookie campaign has been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises, and now that we’re almost 20 percent of the way through the NBA season, it’s safe to say he’s no fluke.

Paschall has been a bright spot in a dismal start for the Golden State Warriors. The rookie has carried the team through the early parts of 2019. With Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry out, Paschall ranks in the top three in several statistical categories for the Warriors, including points per game (17.1) and field goal percentage (50.5).

Paschall’s 256 total points are good enough to not only lead Golden State, but rank as the most amount of points scored by any rookie this season— not bad for a guy who had 40 players picked before him in the 2019 draft.

Paschall leads lottery picks like Ja Morant (241), RJ Barrett (229) and Tyler Herro (168) in points. The Villanova product also ranks in the top-five in rookie points per game, total rebounds, rebounds per game, and field goal percentage.

Paschall has dropped two-30 point-plus games this season, Morant has one of his own, while Barrett, Herro, and Bulls rookie Coby White have zero— all players with better odds to win the 2020 Rookie of the Year according to Caesar’s sportsbook.

The most important stat for Paschall might be the fact he’s only missed one game for a team ravaged by injury. The Warriors lead the NBA in games missed due to injury, but the rookie has played in 15-of-16 games this season.

With most of the Warriors roster still on the mend, the 23-year old will continue to get opportunities to be the primary scorer when on the floor. If Paschall can continue to play at this pace, he should be a favorite to take home Rookie of the Month honors for November.

DFS NBA Value Plays: Rookie players to target for Nov. 22

With some rookies playing particularly well as of late, we have chosen a few players to target on Friday that won’t break your budget.

With a full slate of NBA games set to tip-off Friday night, building your daily fantasy roster can be a bit taxing with so many players to choose from but there are some attractive options available to target.

Of course, players like James Harden, Luka Doncic, LeBron James and others will be hot commodities but the key to building a successful roster is drafting some under-the-radar players that are relatively inexpensive.

Rookie Wire has identified some of those players.

With some rookies playing particularly well as of late, we have chosen a few first-year players to target on Friday night that won’t break your budget and can help you win in your respective tournament.

SF: De’Andre Hunter, Hawks – $4,900 DK | $5,100 FD

Fresh off of a career night, Hunter has really started to turn the corner recently. Hunter scored a career-high 27 points and 11 rebounds on Wednesday against the Milwaukee Bucks to finish with a season-high 46.3 fantasy points. After a slow start to the season, Hunter has now scored in double figures in six straight games and could be headed toward a seventh straight double-digit game on Friday against the Detroit Pistons.

PG: Cam Reddish, Hawks – $4,200 DK | $4,300 FD

Like Hunter, Reddish is also coming off of a career game after scoring 17 points and three rebounds for 23.8 fantasy points. Also like Hunter, Reddish appears to be coming around for the Hawks. Reddish scored in double figures just once over his first 10 games, tallying 55 total points over that span, but has scored 51 over his last four games. With such a low price tag, Reddish could be a player to target on Friday but be sure to double-check his status ahead of the game as he is listed as questionable with a left wrist sprain.

G: Tyler Herro, Heat – $4,700 FD | $4,900 DK

Herro has played like one of the top rookies to this point in the season and still has tremendous value across most fantasy formats. Head coach Erik Spoelstra has used Herro extensively and, given his ability to knock down 3-pointers, the first-round pick should be a prime target in your lineup. He is coming off of his second-best scoring output of the season with 22 points on Wednesday and appears to be in a nice groove as of late. Given his lower price tag, Herro could be the rookie on the Heat to target with Kendrick Nunn costing users $5,700 in FanDuel and $6,200 in DraftKings on Friday.

Buyer Beware

SG: Coby White, Bulls – $4,900 DK | $5,100 FD

The Bulls rookie has the boom-or-bust potential that often leaves fantasy users scratching their heads. White has caught fire several times this season but he has also had some sub-par performances sprinkled in, as well. He faces the top team against giving up fantasy points in the Heat so he has a tough matchup ahead but if you’re feeling risky, White has the potential to have a 40-plus fantasy scoring night.

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Jimmy Butler is fascinated by the swag that Tyler Herro plays with

The nine-year NBA veteran marveled at the swag that Tyler Herro shows when he is out on the court with the Heat.

On Wednesday, the Miami Heat received timely contributions from second-year guard Duncan Robinson and rookie guard Tyler Herro in a 124-100 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Robinson set a Heat franchise record with seven made 3-pointers in the second quarter en route to a career-high 29 points against his former Michigan coach, John Beilein.

He finished 9-of-15 from beyond the arc in the game.

Herro, on the other hand, recorded 22 points off of the bench on 9-of-13 shooting from the field, including 4-of-7 from 3-point range.

Afterward, teammate Jimmy Butler was asked about the two players and their ability to shoot the ball from deep and he marveled at the swag that they each play with.

Duncan isn’t just a shooter, you know? I cringe every once in a while when he dribbles the ball but I think he can do multiple things: He rebounds well for his position, he can pass the ball. Same thing with Tyler [Herro]. We have so many guys that can do so many things. Between them two, I don’t know whose swag is more incredible when they are out there on the floor. They be showin’ out.

While Butler was certainly the marquee acquisition over the summer, the emergence of the younger players on the team, like Robinson, Herro and Kendrick Nunn, has helped the Heat begin the year off on an incredible start.

On any given night, the Heat have a few players that could go off and on Wednesday, it was Robinson. Butler still carried his weight, though, by adding 21 points. He struggled to shoot, going just 3-of-14 from the field, but converted all 13 of his free-throw attempts.

The Heat return to play the Chicago Bulls on Friday.

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Rookie Wire Power Rankings: Ja Morant continues reign on top in Week 4

Rookie Wire took a look at the top rookies through the fourth week of the 2019-20 NBA season.

As the NBA heads into a new week, the rookie class appears to be settling into the 2019-20 season.

The players that have performed well to this point are continuing to make a splash and others are beginning to rise up the ranks onto the mainstream radar after some strong recent outings.

Rookie Wire will compile the rankings of the five best players each week based on how they performed on the court. The rankings are not for Rookie of the Year purposes but, rather, to illustrate the top-performing players week to week.

Here are the Rookie Wire Power Rankings for Week 4:

Week 1 Power Rankings | Week 2 Power Rankings | Week 3 Power Rankings

All stats are through games played on Nov. 19

5. R.J. Barrett, Knicks

Stats: 15.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.3 steals

Rank Last Week: 4

While questions still linger about his workload, Barrett continues to go out and perform for the Knicks. As discussed on a recent episode of The HoopsHype Podcast with Alex Kennedy, the Knicks would like to prioritize Barrett seeing heavy minutes in order to work through his mistakes on the court to grow as a player. Barrett has shown that he isn’t afraid of the moment playing in New York and is showing maturity at his age. His efficiency has improved some after shooting 42.9% from 3-point range over his last three games and, suddenly, the Knicks have won two of three and could be on the verge of turning the corner.

4. Brandon Clarke, Grizzlies

Stats: 12.7 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 1.2 blocks

Rank Last Week: 5

Clarke continues to impress for the Grizzlies. The 21st overall pick has scored in double figures in seven straight games and is shooting 61.9% from the floor this season. As mentioned last week, Clarke is staying within his game, isn’t forcing things and is taking the shots he is comfortable with: Floaters, mid-range, layups, etc. With Ja Morant handling the bulk of the ball-handling duties, Clarke doesn’t need to be ultra-aggressive, which allows him to play his game. He is shooting 44.4% (8-of-18) from 3-point range and has been highly effective on offense.

3. Eric Paschall, Warriors

Stats: 16.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.4 assists

Rank Last Week: 3

If you had second-round pick Eric Paschall as the first rookie this season to record multiple 30-point games, give yourself a pat on the back because Paschall recently accomplished that feat on Sunday. He recorded 30 points for the Warriors in a loss to the Pelicans and previously had a career-high 34 earlier in the month. Paschall is now second among rookies in total points scored this season, trailing only Ja Morant. While the Warriors have certainly struggled this season, and could be on the verge of missing the playoffs, Paschall has emerged as a bright spot in an otherwise down season.

2. Kendrick Nunn, Heat

Stats: 17.8 points, 3.2 assists, 2.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals

Rank Last Week: 2

Kendrick Nunn has been an absolute revelation this season for the Heat and is a huge reason why they are third in the Eastern Conference. Nunn was recently nominated for the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week award, the second time he has been a finalist, after scoring at least 20 points in three straight games. He is second among all rookies in scoring average and first in field goals made and 3-pointers made. Nunn is on pace to shatter a number of Heat franchise rookie records and doesn’t appear to be slowing down any time soon.

1. Ja Morant, Grizzlies

Stats: 18.5 points, 6 assists, 3.2 rebounds

Rank Last Week: 1

Ja Morant continues his reign atop the Power Rankings for the third straight week. The Grizzlies guard is first in scoring among all rookies and is averaging 20.3 points over his last four games. He has proven to be a player the Grizzlies can trust in late-game situations as evident by his game-winner on Nov. 13 against the Charlotte Hornets. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr compared him to Allen Iverson given his size and toughness and it is easy to see the similarities between the two. While the Grizzlies may not be a playoff team this season, Morant has them as a must-watch team on League Pass.

Honorable Mention:

Coby White, Bulls: 13.1 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists

The Bulls rookie has that boom-or-bust potential that daily fantasy users know about all too well. White recently became the first rookie in NBA history to hit at least six 3-pointers in consecutive games but followed that up with a seven-point effort on Saturday. White will need to work on gaining consistency this season off of the bench but he has proven to have his moments in a small sample size.

Tyler Herro, Heat: 13.3 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.1 assists

An ankle injury limited Herro to just two games over the last week but Herro still put up 14 points per game in those outings. Herro has proven to be a solid scoring option off of the bench that can seemingly get hot at any moment. He ranks fifth in scoring among all rookies in the early going this season.

Rui Hachimura, Wizards: 13.1 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.7 assists

Hachimura had a bit of a quiet week after managing just 14 points in his last two games after scoring 21 on Nov. 13 against the Boston Celtics. He remains a work in progress on defense but has looked to be a better scorer and shooter than he was in college last season. Though he may not be among the best rookies yet, he has had a solid start to his career.

On the Rise:

Cameron Johnson, Suns: 9.1 points, 3.2 rebounds

Suns head coach Monty Williams recently shortened his rotation, paving the way for more playing time for Johnson. He is up to 11th in scoring among rookies and his 40.4% shooting from 3-point range is seventh among first-year players that have at least eight appearances this season.

Terence Davis, Raptors: 5 points, 2.4 rebounds, 1.8 assists

While his overall numbers don’t jump off of the page, he is averaging 8.5 points per game and shooting 50% from 3-point range over his last six games as he sees more time on the court.

Shout Out:

Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Pelicans: 7.2 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists

Alexander-Walker recently had a two-game stretch in which he tallied 46 total points but followed that up with a three-point outing on Tuesday night. His playing time has been sporadic so it has likely been a bit tough to settle in but he has shown flashes recently.

Daniel Gafford, Bulls: 21 points, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks

With an injury to Luke Kornet, the second-round pick stepped up in his first extended look of the season, recording a team-high 21 points on Monday night. If he can continue seeing consistent playing time, Gafford could be a name to look out for this season.

Dropped Out:

P.J. Washington, Hornets

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Luka Doncic and Ja Morant may provide perspective for Warriors future

Playing against Luka Docic, Ja Morant and Trae Young will give the Golden State Warriors a glimpse of what having a modern lottery pick could look like.

Over the past five seasons, the Golden State Warriors have been a team focused on the now. But without star power filling the void of injured players and one of the worst records in the NBA, it’s time to look to the future.

The Dubs have a few interesting young pieces, but that’s where it ends— a few. Eric Paschall, Ky Bowman and Omari Spellman all have flashed promise at times. But none were blue-chip prospects built to lead the Warriors into the future.

Over recent NBA drafts, there’s been an influx of exciting youngsters bursting into the league. The players available at the top of the NBA draft haven’t garnered much attention in the Bay Area because most fans were focused on Golden State playing deep into the postseason.

With the Warriors currently scheduled to be at the top of the NBA draft lottery, teams with young talent might provide some perspective.

When teams like the Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers popped up on the schedule, Warriors fans were excited. Now, teams like the Dallas Mavericks, Atlanta Hawks and Memphis Grizzlies (whom the Warriors will play over the next month) could give fans a glimpse at what having a modern lottery pick will look like.

On the current road trip, the Warriors already played the New Orleans Pelicans, who spent the first overall pick in 2019 on Zion Williamson out of Duke. Due to injury, Williamson hasn’t made his debut yet, but that doesn’t mean the Dubs won’t get a shot at a top pick soon.

The Warriors head to Dallas to face phenom Luka Doncic. The Slovenian isn’t only one of the league’s most talented youngsters, he’s one of the league’s most exciting players overall. The reigning Rookie of the Year is averaging 30.6 points, 10.3 assists and 11.6 rebounds per game in November. What doesn’t show on the stat sheet is how Doncic controls the game for the Mavs. He’s a true court general with the swagger that looks like he’s going to cause problems in the Western Conference for years to come.

After Doncic, the Warriors will get a taste of the favorite for the 2019-20 Rookie of the Year award: Ja Morant, another impressive point guard who is leading Memphis into a new era of “grit and grind.” Similar to Doncic, Morant’s feel for the game is that of a veteran. He has the confidence and swagger of a veteran. If you doubt him, he’ll make you pay.

Over the next 10 games, the Warriors will get to see a bevy of recent lottery picks, also including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Tyler Herro, Coby White, Lauri Markkanen, Markelle Fultz, PJ Washington, Malik Monk and, for the grand finale, Trae Young. All players picked in the top 13 with the average age of 20.5, Markkanen is the old man of the group, at 22. Paschall, Bowman and Spellman are all 22 or older, with Jordan Poole the only Warrior under 21.

As exciting as it is to play against All-Stars like LeBron James, James Harden and Giannis Antetokounmpo, it’s important to gauge the type of talent the Warriors could be getting in the June draft. If Golden State’s season finishes on its current trajectory, the Warriors will have a chance to acquire a talent similar to Doncic, Morant or Young.