Top NBA rookies poised to close out debut seasons in style
Forget hitting a rookie wall or stumbling into the playoffs exhausted and banged-up.
The NBA’s break because of the coronavirus pandemic gave rookies an offseason within a season. They’ve had the chance to heal up, study film and gain some much-needed pounds to better handle the grueling season in a league filled with savvy veterans.
Some rookies will resume play a bit smarter and stronger, giving them a chance to finish off their debut seasons in style.
Improving during a pandemic had its challenges.
Some rookies filled garages with weights. Those living in apartments or condos had to be very creative to even find a basket to get up shots.
Rookies to watch when the NBA’s resumes its season:
JA MORANT
Morant worked with trainers at his Memphis home and put on 12 pounds of mostly muscle. That’s what the Grizzlies have wanted since the moment they drafted him at No. 2 overall last June behind top pick Zion Williamson.
The point guard also watched a lot of film, looking to improve after averaging 17.6 points a game and 6.9 assists a game.
Williamson’s weight was an issue when he arrived at training camp back in September. Less so now. His extended rehab from knee surgery involved a focus on losing weight and flexibility, and it was apparent he stuck to his new workout regimen during the past few months.
Williamson is listed at 6-foot-6, 285 pounds. The team has declined to specify how much weight he has lost, but teammates noted how much leaner he looked when the Pelicans got back together a few weeks ago.
“He looks amazing. He looks fully healthy. He looks even stronger than he was before, if that’s even possible,” Pelicans guard Lonzo Ball said. “I was happy to see him, happy to see that he’s in shape.”
RUI HACHIMURA
The first Japanese-born player drafted in the first round, Hachimura also spent the break getting bigger. The 6-8 Hachimura added about 10 pounds, up from 230. He worked on his 3-point shot and ball handling and now is trying to improve his defensive skills.
BRANDON CLARKE
It would be easy to overlook the 6-8 power forward on a Grizzlies’ roster led by Morant and second-year forward Jaren Jackson Jr. But the 21st pick overall last June has played a key role for Memphis and is averaging 12 points and 5.8 points a game.
HEAT’S ROOKIE DUO Technically a rookie, Kendrick Nunn went from unknown to starting point guard for the Heat, and he could be ready for the seeding games even after missing the first couple weeks of practices at Disney. Only Williamson and Morant
score more than Nunn among rookies.
Tyler Herro has shown an ability to rise to moments: his pull-up, goahead, transition 3-pointer in the final seconds of a win against Philadelphia earlier this season is among Miami’s top highlights of the year. He’s recovered from an ankle injury that cost him 15 games.