Rookie Ladder - 3012 (326 views)

[delap]

PreSeason Standings

This class. Woof.  Only 3 players (Worthy, Wilkinson, and Eaves) shot at or above 1.1 P/TSA. Big yikes.

1. James Worthy - Cleveland Cavaliers

2nd in P/TSA, 1st in scoring, strong rebounder... and you can live with 2.1 TO/36. Makes a strong case out of the gates for the top spot... and it's not particularly close at this time. Uppies may change that.

2. Sleepy Floyd - Utah Jazz

I guess? I'm not impressed by many in this class at all. Floyd has the tools to be a strong scoring PG and limits his TOs a great deal. His jumpshot needs to improve and upgrades will make a big difference here.

3. Dale Wilkinson - Phoenix Suns

I know, I know... where is Nique? Well, when Nique wants to live up to his name he can be Top 3. For now, Dale played his butt off in the PreSeason and deserves praise. 1st in P/TSA, 2nd in shot blocking... solid performance!

4. Terry Cummings - Vancouver Grizzlies

We've seen a lot of guys like Cummings... above average scorers, decent rebounding, decent P/TSA... I don't think a high ceiling is in the works, but his floor is high enough to put him here for now.

5. Dominique Wilkins - Los Angeles Lakers

A really weak PreSeason from 'Nique, but this is a futures bet. His P/TSA is bad, his jumpshot is bad... but everything else is fine I guess.

6. Mark Eaton - Anaheim Amigos

He's what we expected, a defensive beast, a rebounding machine (1st in the class), a volume/inefficient scorer... and a TO machine. If BK can get those TOs down or the FT% up it could be make or break for the big red beard.

7. Clark Kellogg - Cleveland Cavaliers

At this point in this class, having one super skill can land you on the ladder. Kellogg's is rebounding, where he is 2nd in the class at an impressive 12/36. He's not anything special at anything else.

8. Trent Tucker - Indiana Pacers

On the flipside of Kellogg, there is Tucker... who doesn't have a super skill, but seems to do everything OK. Is not turning it over at all a special skill for a low usage player? Maybe? Heebs lands another glue-type that will fit in well with Pacer-culture.

9. Ricky Pierce - Pittsburgh Pipers

A SG who can't shoot at all, but the rest of the package is solid. He lands here because his one deficiency is one that should be fixable in time.

10. Kevin Magee - Los Angeles Clippers

Default? Magee at least looks halfway competent as the Clippers 3rd big. Nothing special, but won't hurt you terribly, it appears.

Honorable Mentions:

Points:

Dwight Anderson - Vancouver Grizzlies

Rob Williams - Pittsburgh Pipers

Wings:

Terry Teagle - Cleveland Cavaliers

Linton Townes - Seattle SuperSonics

Bigs:

None

[Deleted]

Go go eaton!!!

[delap]

Day 50 Update

I still don't like this class. I am struggling to find even a 9th ladder-worthy player. Sparse times ahead. At least 'Nique looks worlds better than he did in the PS.

1. James Worthy - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: 1)
Now we have a real battle... and their outputs are nearly identical at this point, especially in points, boards, steals, and P/TSA. Worthy gets the slight nod at this point because of a teensy bit more volume, but substantially more shot blocking prowess. If he averages a block a game from the wing that is really something going forward.



2. Dominique Wilkins - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: 5)
Now this is surely what Pete had in mind picking 'Nique first overall. 2nd in P/TSA (among minutes qualifiers) and no weaknesses, he looks to be a fantastic wing alongside Worthy and this is really a two-man race at this point.



3. Sleepy Floyd - Utah Jazz (previous: 2)
Sleepy still looks like a really solid scoring PG, with above-average efficiency and playable TOs (for a rookie). I don't think he is really in contention with the players above him, but I'd say the gap between he and #4 is pretty sizeable right now.



4. Ricky Pierce - Pittsburgh Pipers (previous: 9)
Like Wilkins, we see a big leap from Pierce from PS to the real deal. Shooting 26% better than he did in the PS is nothing to sneeze at, but he did get a +30 in jumpshot, so that makes sense. Reminds me a good bit of Bo Kimble at this point, so that's not bad company.



5. Mark Eaton - Anaheim Amigos (previous: 6)
In the same tier as Steamboat Ricky, Eaton is the last of the players I actually like at this juncture. He isn't efficient (but not awful) and he turns it over too much (but again, not unplayable), but he is a rebounding and blocking machine, so that's swell.



6a. Terry Teagle - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: HM)
6b. Trent Tucker - Indiana Packers (previous: 8)
TT group. Teagle is highly efficient and rebounds well for a SG, Tucker has a bit more volume and is yet another defensive stud in the Indiana ecosystem. Both could be solid rotation pieces in the future, but I'm not sure that either are going to be a starter in the future.




8. Terry Cummings - Vancouver Grizzlies (previous: 4)
He hangs on because his per minute production is great... but he really isn't getting any PT so I can't be sure about his prowess. He simply can't move up without more minutes, and I doubt Druce will alter his plans just for that... so Cummings may remain a mystery until the return of the Sophomore Staircase.



9a. Joe Kopicki - Anaheim Amigos (previous: NR)
9b. LaSalle Thompson - San Antonio Spurs (previous: NR)
These guys might be 3rd bigs, at the very best, in the future... but the most likely outcome is that they are MIN/LLE 4th big types for their career. Invest those checks while you can. Kopicki is an efficient scorer and rebounder, but offers no D. Thompson looks to be a strong defender, but really weak on offense. Pick your poison.




Honorable Mentions:

Points:
Fat Lever - Los Angeles Lakers

Wings:
Rod Higgins - Anaheim Amigos

Bigs:
Chuck Aleksinas - Miami Heat

[Deleted]

eatem eaton! he still has +10 inside left!

[delap]

Day 90 Update

A tie! Not sure I've done this at the top spot before... but the two are currently indistinguishable, for better or worse. Cummings remains the biggest frustration... because his minutes are so limited. He looks great, but I don't know what to do with him.  I'm confident the first 7 guys are solid starters going forward... and probably Cummings. Everyone else that made the ladder or HM should at least be rotation-level for an average team.  Again... this class is not deep at all.

1a. James Worthy - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: 1)
1b. Dominique Wilkins - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: 2)
2nd and 3rd in scoring, 2nd and 3rd in P/TSA, solid rebounding, low TOs, good, not great defensive markers. Great wings.




3. Sleepy Floyd - Utah Jazz (previous: 3)
No movement here, as Sleepy is in a tier by himself. Leading scorer among rookies, solid P/TSA, low enough TOs. Defensive numbers are not anything to be excited about though.



4. Ricky Pierce - Pittsburgh Pipers (previous: 4)
Microwave scorer who plays no D? Sure... but he's a darn good scorer at a position that could use some more. His lack of TOs is what pushes him above the next few on the list, though.



5. Mark Eaton - Anaheim Amigos (previous: 5)
Scoring is below average in efficiency, and the volume might be a team-based mirage... but his rebounding and defense stats are legitimately impressive.



6. Terry Teagle - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: 6a)
A solid role-player... who I wish would get more minutes. Teagle is hyper-efficient (1st in the class in P/TSA) and doesn't have any bad qualities. He can likely fit on any rotation, but his ceiling might be a little low.



7. Terry Tucker - Indiana Pacers (previous: 6b)
Very similar to Teagle, Tucker is slightly less efficient, a worse rebounder... but a very very good defender. You could convince me he's the better Terry, but like Teagle, he is a high floor, low ceiling type.



8. Kevin Magee - Los Angeles Clippers (previous: NR)
I feel like I've slighted Magee a bit in the past. He's efficient, he scores well, he plays some defense... but his rebounding is really terrible. He reminds me a lot of players that we've seen a lot that are flashes early but ultimately settle in as bench bigs and nothing more down the line.



9. Joe Kopicki - Anaheim Amigos (previous: 9a)
I want more minutes for him... but he scores efficiently and at enough volume to be a contributor there. Downside is a complete lack of defensive stats.



10. LaSalle Thompson - San Antonio Spurs (previous: 9b)
Earns the spot on strength of defense alone. If he could be efficient he could be a player, though.



Honorable Mentions:

Points:
Walker Russell - Anaheim Amigos

Wings:
Rory White - Houston Rockets
Rod Higgins - Anaheim Amigos
J.J. Anderson - Carolina Cougars

Bigs:
Terry Cummings - Vancouver Grizzlies

[Handsome Pete]

Nique over Worthy thanks to a better FTA/FGA, AST/TO, and no empty calories.

Fat Lever is the thinking man's rookie point guard

[delap]

Worthy probably has higher potential though. That means something.

[Handsome Pete]

Sept 9, 2021 11:51:40 GMT -5 delap said:

Worthy probably has higher potential though. That means something.

He definitely does. Didn't think that factored into the ladder rankings

[Deleted]

Sept 9, 2021 11:54:34 GMT -5 Handsome Pete said:

Sept 9, 2021 11:51:40 GMT -5 delap said:

Worthy probably has higher potential though. That means something.

He definitely does. Didn't think that factored into the ladder rankings

low potential is a noque on nique

[delap]

Sept 9, 2021 11:54:34 GMT -5 Handsome Pete said:

Sept 9, 2021 11:51:40 GMT -5 delap said:

Worthy probably has higher potential though. That means something.

He definitely does. Didn't think that factored into the ladder rankings

I absolutely consider it, especially in close calls

[delap]

Final Standings

Terry Cummings is absolutely deserving of a spot, so someone has to get bumped (though I know that no matter where I put him, I'll look foolish in a few years). Also... Paul Pressey really came on strong in the back half of the season and has claimed a rung... so sorry to Kopicki/Thompson from the last update, you have to settle for being mentioned with honor. I voted for 'Nique for ROTY, as his season was ever so slightly better than Big Game James, but Worthy is worthy of the top spot on the ladder, as I think he projects more strongly going forward. Please give Sapular the 1k prize from my bank, Mr. TinyTimPig

1. James Worthy - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: 1a)
3rd in P/TSA, 2nd in scoring... but still with room to blossom and overtake 'Nique in defense/rebounding (where they are ever so close right now)



2. Dominique Wilkins - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: 1b)
1st in P/TSA, 3rd in scoring with strong-ish defensive numbers and solid rebounding. His low TOs are a blessing, as well.



3. Sleepy Floyd - Utah Jazz (previous: 3)
Still the premier PG of the class and a volume scorer (how will that change on a better team?). 1st in scoring on league average efficiency, fairly low TO numbers.



4. Ricky Pierce - Pittsburgh Pipers (previous: 4)
Great running mate for Ewing in the Steel City. He's a slightly middle-class man's 'Nique... and that's not bad.



5. Mark Eaton - Anaheim Amigos (previous: 5)
I know what Mark Eaton is: inefficient... but he rebounds like a fiend and is a top tier shot-blocker. The scoring is fine... if he could be more efficient or turn it over less, he'd be able to move up to the top tier of bigs... but those are big ifs.



6. Terry Cummings - Vancouver Grizzlies (previous: HM)
He featured in every game this year for the champs... but just didn't get a ton of burn. His per minute numbers are quite nice, though: 2nd in P/TSA, 3rd in rebounding, low TOs. His defense is negligible, so it will be interesting to see him without the Blatche safety-net next to him going forward.



7a. Trent Tucker - Indiana Pacers (previous: 7)
7b. Terry Teagle - Cleveland Cavaliers (previous: 6)
7c. Paul Pressey - Portland Trail Blazers (previous: NR)
A trio of SGs who absolutely raise the floor of their team and the overall SG in the league (this class has done a lot of good for the wing depth of the league). Tucker is the best scorer and most careful with the ball of the trio. Teagle throws in the most rebounding prowess. Pressey is a very strong defender and averaged just shy of 2 steals/36. TC luck will separate these 3 eventually... but all 3 are starting from a good place right now. Rory White and J.J. Anderson just barely missed out from inclusion in this group.





10. Kevin Magee - Los Angeles Clippers (previous: 8)
From undrafted rookie, to ROTY Finalist, to the final Rookie Ladder... to Free Agent. It's been a ride for Mr. Magee. A solid big who does everything pretty well, but nothing spectacularly well. He edges out Kopicki for the last spot. Let's hope he finds a good home this off-season that will allow him to shine like dirt did.



Honorable Mentions:

Points:
Walker Russell - Anaheim Amigos
Fat Lever - Los Angeles Lakers

Wings:
Rory White - Houston Rockets
J.J. Anderson - Carolina Cougars

Bigs:
Joe Kopicki - Anaheim Amigos
LaSalle Thompson - San Antonio Spurs
Chuck Nevitt - Utah Jazz

[Handsome Pete]

70k

[Fason]

70k

[Herby New Year!]

70k

[TinyTimPig]

75,000

[20s]

70k

[Sapular]

75K