NBA Rookie Notes: Debuts and Overreactions
The 2023-24 NBA season is finally upon us, and that means a new slate of rookies have entered the league, some of whom have now played their first game.
You know what that means - it's time to overreact to NBA debuts which are absolutely, totally, assuredly, unquestionably, going to represent all of their futures. Who need proper sample sizes anyway?
Ausar Thompson | Detroit Pistons
Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Are you kidding me, Ausar? Not only did the rook go for five - FIVE - blocks, he also underlined that it's entirely possible for rookies to come into the league as defensive assets.
Sure, the offense is rough, and will need time, but Thompson just jumps off the page athletically, which will help him on both ends of the floor. The 1-of-7 shooting from the floor wasn't pretty, but the rook seems to grasp the concept of being useful without scoring. He grabbed seven boards and dished three assists, and just found a way to integrate himself into the game. Find me a coach who doesn't fall in love with players like that.
If Thompson keeps this up, he'll be incredibly difficult to take off the floor.
Dereck Lively | Dallas Mavericks
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
This is the player Luka Dončić has been waiting for over the past four-to-five years. Lively isn't just a lob-threat, but a 7-foot-1 player who does 7-foot-1 things.
His 16 points and 10 rebounds against the San Antonio Spurs came on a variety of cuts and rolls to the basket, particularly with Dončić setting him up.
Dončić has needed a versatile big man like this for years, who can finish plays above the rim, and who understands angles. Lively has more in his bag than just be a Tyson Chandler clone, but right now that role will serve him well, as he builds chemistry with the more established Mavs players.
Lively has another thing working for him: Unmatched energy and enthusiasm. That may not sound particularly exciting, but guys who are excited about fulfilling their role usually tend to outplay expectations. I see no reason to believe Lively won't do just that - even if he'll have to probably suffer through a season with more defensive responsibilities than he should have, due to their hideous perimeter defense.
Cason Wallace | Oklahoma City Thunder
Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
I'm just going to level with you. I think I made Wallace upset back in June, when I asked him about his offensive game, and whether he could surprise people.
13 points, 5-of-5 from the field, including 3-of-3 from range.
Duly noted. I apologize, Cason.
The guy came in and was immediately able to balance defensive responsibilities with his offensive ones. He took shots in rhythm, didn't work outside the offense, but was still aggressive enough to assert his will on the game.
He switched, bodied his opponents, and rotated to the right places. You couldn't ask for more from a guy who came in as a backup, who may not have a defined role yet. After last night, surely that will go a long way in giving him one.
Victor Wembanyama | San Antonio Spurs
© Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports
We can talk about the foul trouble. We can talk about the five turnovers.
But we should talk about the fact that late in the fourth quarter, when Wembanyama made his return to the floor, he was the one tasked with the responsibility of closing out the game.
He grabbed a lob, hit a three, contested shots around the rim (and the perimeter), and ultimately looked every bit the part of the player who is going to save basketball in San Antonio.
This was his first real NBA game, and head coach Gregg Popovich was already perfectly fine using him in crunch time. When has that ever happened before?
More importantly, Wembanyama has an uncanny ability to get his teammates better looks, and to buy in. You'd think jealousy could run in the ranks of the Spurs, but so far it seems the Frenchman has won over the affection of his teammates, who trust him to make crucial decisions at crucial times.
Let's not overthink this one. He's a star already.
Unless noted otherwise, all stats via NBA.com, PBPStats, Cleaning the Glass or Basketball-Reference. All salary information via Spotrac. All odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook.
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