![]() ![]() 14, five of the aforementioned “mid” bloomers have averaged double figures in scoring, three have averaged at least 7.0 rebounds and two have chipped in 3.0 or more assists when they’ve played. But that could be coming, with about 60% of the regular season still to be played. Primarily due to small sample sizes, none of the rookie-come-latelys have yet to grab a Ladder rung. That’s compared to a 70%/30% distribution we would have expected to see. Through games of Monday, that included New York’s Quentin Grimes (69 of 144 minutes, 48%), the Clippers’ Brandon Boston Jr. If we break down the season so far into 10 weeks, a significant number of rookies have gotten a disproportionate number of their minutes in just the three weeks since Dec. and Kessler Edwards OKC’s Aaron Wiggins Miami’s Omer Yurtseven Houston’s Josh Christopher, Orlando’s Hassani Gravett, and others have popped up frequently in box scores. But lesser heralded names such as Brooklyn’s Cam Thomas, David Duke Jr. ![]() Ladder regulars such as Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Cleveland’s Evan Mobley, Detroit’s Cade Cunningham and Oklahoma City’s Josh Giddey are four of what’s been a pretty steady Top 6 here. 14 and 12 of the 20 new guys playing the heaviest minutes were non-factors in these rankings.įor rookies, opportunity rules. 7, when virus absences started rippling through the league, nine of the Top 20 rookies in minutes logged have been newbies who otherwise haven’t sniffed a run on the Kia Rookie Ladder. What the virus boom has meant to G Leaguers and retired NBA veterans in terms of suddenly, if temporarily, available roster spots, it has served to boost game experience and reps for newcomers who heretofore didn’t rank among the Class of 2021’s elite.Ĭonsider: Since Dec. It hardly is the silver lining anyone was looking for as the NBA tried to beat back and dodge as best it could the surging number of positive virus tests and resulting absences in its ranks.īut the sweeping need for sheer manpower to fill vacated rotation spots has opened opportunities for a bunch of rookies who otherwise might have continued their first-year development sitting and watching. Bertans picked up a ball and attempted a long-range 3-pointer, but it hit the rim, and the final buzzer announced Germany's win.Franz Wagner continues to shine during his rookie season with Orlando. Schroder missed a floater, and after securing a rebound, Latvia had 6 seconds to respond. Rodions Kurucs made a 3-pointer, Zagars converted both free throws, and added a lay-up, as Latvia was trailing by only 2 points with less than a minute left (77-79).ĭaniel Theis responded with two free throws, but Zagars made another successful drive with 33 seconds left. Germany's leader scored 5 points in a row, and Germany gained a double-digit lead once again with a little bit more than 2 minutes left (79-69). Rolands Smits made 3-pointers, and Arturs Zagars added another one, cutting Latvia's deficit to only 5 points (69-74).īut then, it was Dennis Schroder's time to shine. Yet, Latvians didn't want to give up just yet. Latvia successfully went neck-to-neck in the third quarter as well, but Germany made a big run at the beginning of 4th period.įranz Wagner made a layup, Isaach Bonga sank a 3-pointer, while Mo Wagner stole the ball and made a big slam, inspiring Germany's 14-1 run that built a 14-point lead for the Germans (74-60). Wagner, who played his first game since August 25, finished the game with a team-high 16 points (3/4 2PT, 2/4 3PTT, 4/5 FT), 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 turnover, and a team-high 22 EFF.ĭespite a shaky start, Germany bounced back and was leading 36-34 at halftime. Gordon Herbert's squad beat Latvia 81-79 (13-16, 23-18, 26-25, 19-20) and advanced to the semifinal, in which it will face Team USA.
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