Rookie Ladder - 3017 (310 views)

[delap]

Worst. Class. Ever. (at least right now... yuck).  Most of these guys barely deserve to be on a ladder, period. There is nothing honorable to be found in the mentions. Trofie, I guess, managed the best... because I like a few of his guys, but it's not looking good for anyone.

1. Joel Przybilla - Milwaukee Bucks

One of the few players with average or better P/TSA, the Vanilla Gorilla doesn't block shots, but that's really the only negative here. He can score OK, rebound OK, and doesn't turn it over. Given his pedigree, I don't expect him to be here long... but someone had to be here now and it's him.

2a. Etan Thomas - Orlando Magic

2b. Marcus Fizer - Indiana Pacers

This is how bad it is... I put a non-GMed player on the ladder at #2. Thomas is 1st in scoring among rookies and is at least somewhat efficient. TOs are high and defense is low, though... but he has a solid scoring skill. Fizer looks a lot like Przybilla, just slightly worse outputs right now. However, I trust the Indiana organization to get the most out of him going forward, so he may be one with a shot at #1 this year.

4a. Chris Carrawell - Milwaukee Bucks

4b. DeShawn Stevenson - Milwaukee Bucks

4c. Morris Peterson - Houston Rockets

The young Bucks appear together after a great PreSeason showing for each of them. Neither appear to be a volume guy, but both are efficient and shoot enough, neither turns it over, and each shows at least a little defensive ethic. Mo'Pete looks similar, but has a strong rebounding game and some potential to grow.

7a. Kenyon Martin - San Antonio Spurs

7b. Jason Collier - Portland Trail Blazers

Defensive studs... and in the case of KMart... why on earth won't he shoot the rock? KMart is the top rebounder in the class and probably the best defender. His efficiency is bad (not terrible, but bad)... yet it doesn't matter because he is loathe to shoot. Collier is much more efficient, but not terribly willing to shoot either. He is close to the same defender as Martin, but his rebounding is on the bad side for a big. His upgrades going to rebounding could do some wonders for his overall future.

9. Mateen Cleaves - Carolina Cougars

Weird to say this all the way down at #9... but given the opportunity, Cleaves might be a guy that could jump to the Top 3. Efficiency is really his only issue. He is a solid scoring PG already (in volume) and doesn't turn it over. Love the upside here.

10. Stromile Swift - Los Angeles Clippers

Good output in counting stats, balanced across the board... but turns it over too much and can't shoot FTs. There may be something there to save down the line.

Honorable Mentions:

Points:

None

Wings:

None

Bigs:

None

[Trofie]

Go bucks

[Chaps]

Sleeping on Eduardo

[Chaps]

Nov 30, 2021 13:27:47 GMT -5 Chaps said:

Sleeping on Eduardo

Eduardo Najera SF 8 32.3 15.8 6.4 1.3 1.3 0.1 1.4 .510 .833 .250

Eduardo is the hill I die on, RotY or bust

[delap]

Those numbers are way better than PS. He looks good.

[20s]

Mateen Cleaves PG 9 10.8 21.5 3.7 8.9 0.4 0.0 1.5 .543 .750 .455 1.214

+10 more in Threes he didn’t have in Sim 1

[delap]

Day 60 Update

A weekend late and a dump buck short, here we are. I'll throw in another update at Day 90 to space them out a tad. Despite some attractive numbers, Malik Allen, Desmond Mason, and Quentin Richardson just haven't played enough to be on here right now. Even Desmond Ferguson is borderline... but he looks pretty solid so he may make an appearance below. I still don't love this class, but they don't look quite as putrid. Still don't see really any All-Star types.

1. Chris Mihm - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: NR)
2nd in P/TSA, near the top in scoring, and a strong defensive profile, Mihm is looking like the deserved #1 pick. His TO rate isn't terrible (but not stellar) and he's a poor rebounder, but at least rebounding should continue to correct with age.



2. Eduardo Najera - Texas Chaparrals (previous: NR)
Eddie N. is the best wing in the class by a good bit and the only real challenger to the top spot I see right now. 4th in P/TSA, a rebounding machine (nearly double-digits per/36), and doesn't turn it over, he has a bright future.



3. DeShawn Stevenson - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 4b)
A strong wing, very similar to Najera... just less efficient and an average rebounder. The best thing about him is that he takes care of the ball, averaging less than a TO/36.



4. Morris Peterson - Houston Rockets (previous: 4c)
Sturdy and reliable, probably doesn't have star upside, but he's a definite starter-quality guy on the come-up and could thrive in an outside offense.



5. Mateen Cleaves - Carolina Cougars (previous: 9)
His ascent has started and he's the #1 PG in the class. He scores near average efficiency and is pretty clean with the ball. I would want to see his defense tick up a bit (or rebounding) before moving him any higher, though.



6. Kenyon Martin - San Antonio Spurs (previous: 7a)
Tops in rebounding, blocks, and stocks, but K-Mart is simply closed on the offensive end. That... isn't really an issue? He's not a match for his IRL counterpart, but looks to be a pretty great D/R type.



7. Joel Przybilla - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 1)
Efficiency has dropped like a rock from the PS, but he's still a decent player. He scores OK, rebounds well, and doesn't kill you with TOs. Would love to see that FT% inch up about 10 points and he'd be much more valuable.



8a. Hedo Turkoglu - Washington Bullets (previous: NR)
8b. Jamal Crawford - Los Angeles Clippers (previous: NR)
8c. Chris Carrawell - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 4a)
3 efficient, but unwilling, scorers get lumped together here at the end. They are all on the upper-end of this class in terms of efficiency (which isn't saying a lot... barely above league average), but they just don't really want to shoot. They are all super-careful with the rock and seem to be good 8th or 9th men... but probably never starters. Even though he's last in the group, I do see some upside with Carrawell on the defensive end, so maybe he could play his way into more love.





Honorable Mentions:

Points:
None

Wings:
Desmond Ferguson - Anaheim Amigos
DerMarr Johnson - Seattle SuperSonics
Mike Miller - Los Angeles Clippers

Bigs:
Soumaila Samake - Charlotte Hornets
Stromile Swift - Los Angeles Clippers
Brian Cardinal - Miami Heat

[Trofie]

Przybilla has underperformed to his attributes thus far

[20s]

Dec 6, 2021 9:04:28 GMT -5 Trofie said:

Przybilla has underperformed to his attributes thus far

He’s not a gamer. 

[Trofie]

Dec 6, 2021 9:28:16 GMT -5 20s said:

Dec 6, 2021 9:04:28 GMT -5 Trofie said:

Przybilla has underperformed to his attributes thus far

He’s not a gamer. 

[Handsome Pete]

how have I never seen that tattoo before? That's incredible

[Handsome Pete]

2k sports MyPlayer ass tattoo

[Chaps]

That dudes biceps look soft as fuck, his sim strength is too high whatever it is

[Ankly]

Will Darius Miles be eligible for the rookie ladder next year a la Ben Simmons?

[Handsome Pete]

Dec 7, 2021 12:13:42 GMT -5 Ankly said:

Will Darius Miles be eligible for the rookie ladder next year a la Ben Simmons?

[delap]

Day 100 - The Homestretch
Still time to change my mind here... last 2 sims could be important. The top 2 are in a virtual deadlock. This class remains largely uninteresting... especially because guys like Roberson, Allen, Miles, Mason, etc. are just not getting any PT. Maybe they could've saved the group with more time... we'll literally never know. PS#1 is now OFF THE LADDER!

1a. Chris Mihm - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: 1)
1b. Eduardo Najera - Texas Chaparrals (previous: 2)
Eddie N. and the Rats of Mihm are pretty well established as the top two, with both being well-above average in efficiency, scoring enough, and having at least one other top-notch skill (defense for Mihm, rebounding for Najera). This is coming down the wire in a way that hasn't been so in many-a-ladder.




3. DeShawn Stevenson - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 3)
I have DeShawn in a tier of his own right now. Below the other guys, but pretty clearly above the rest of the group... which is more or less interchangeable. He may not be elite elite, but he doesn't appear to have any weaknesses and is shooting absolutely lights out as a rookie.



4. Morris Peterson - Houston Rockets (previous: 4)
A slightly worse version of Stevenson, Mo' Pete is also without a serious deficiency... but his shooting is not as crisp. He is a strong rebounder, though.



5. Kenyon Martin - San Antonio Spurs (previous: 6)
I love K-Mart because I know what he is. He's a superb rebounder and strong defender. He doesn't turn it over. He still has a cool +15 left that could even make him a competent scorer (with improved FT shooting), albeit not a volume one.



6. Mike Miller - Indiana Pacers (previous: HM)
Money Mike from the Corn Palace returns to a more natural fit for him... the midwest. His surprisingly weak FT% is a big concern, but other than that, he looks to be a solid all-around wing that is SG eligible. He has +10 left and could still have some natural growth coming his way. He is the one guy in the class I'm really worried about blowing up and making me look dumb later... the pieces are there with some TC love.



7a. Mateen Cleaves - Carolina Cougars (previous: 5)
7b. Jamal Crawford - Los Angeles Clippers (previous: 8b)
I'm no longer certain than Cleaves is the best PG in the group. Neither Crawford nor Cleaves has a TO issue (they are both steady with the rock). Crawford is efficient, but not a big shooter... whereas Cleaves likes to shoot in his limited time on the floor, but is a good bit below league-average efficiency. Crawford appears to be a slightly better defender, too. These two will continue to jockey for position over the last 20 days. If Crawford keeps it up, with his remaining +30, I think he's the clear choice. Cleaves will need to shine over the last 20 games to stay at the top of the PG rankings.




9. Desmond Ferguson - Anaheim Amigos (previous: HM)
Is the steal-rate real? If so, he's pretty dang good on that side. Is the TO-rate real? Probably... because his usage is near zero. He's not well-rounded, but looks like maybe he's elite-elite in one thing, which is good enough to get a ladder spot in this class.



10. Chris Carrawell - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 8c)
He's just kinda a guy, you know? This type of player normally doesn't garner a spot, but the class is thin and I don't really like Swift's future or Przybilla's decline. So here he is.



Honorable Mentions:

Points:
None

Wings:
Hedo Turkoglu - Washington Bullets
Hanno Mottola - Vancouver Grizzlies
Ime Udoka - Pittsburgh Pipers

Bigs:
Jabari Smith - Toronto Raptors
Primoz Brezec - Cleveland Cavaliers
Joel Przybilla - Milwaukee Bucks
Stromile Swift - Los Angeles Clippers
Soumaila Samake - Charlotte Hornets
Brian Cardinal - Miami Heat

[Trofie]

Carrawell still has all his upgrades and Przybilla has been bad but he also has 18 upgrades left.

[delap]

Final Standings
No changes in the composition of the Top 10 from the last update... just some final settling to spots.

Neither Najera nor Mihm would be a traditional contender for the top spot, but this is a down year at the top. Congrats to Chaps ... TinyTimPig please move 1k of my funding to him.

The rest of the group isn't super nasty like it was in PS... but I stand pretty firmly in the "worst class we've had" camp at this point. The mentions at the bottom, despite their name, are not really honorable. There are a few low-minute/no-minute players that intrigue me that could help salvage perspective long-term, though (Mason, El-Amin, Allen, Redd, Fizer, Miles)

1. Eduardo Najera - Texas Chaparrals (previous: 1b)
Eduardo (who surprisingly has no nickname on b-ref) ekes out the narrowest win over the Rats of Mihm by virtue of positional value and a tinge higher potential. 2nd in P/TSA, averaged 9 boards/36 from the wing, decent enough defense, and fairly low TOs.



2. Chris Mihm - Los Angeles Lakers (previous: 1a)
1st in P/TSA, decent, but not exemplary rebounding, good-to-great defensive stats... just not sure that he's terribly special or different from what we've seen so far in the league. His lower potential keeps him from the top spot today.



3. DeShawn Stevenson - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 3)
3rd in P/TSA, great handles, scores at a decent clip. He's not a strong rebounder, but that's his biggest flaw. Really solid player.



4. Morris Peterson - Houston Rockets (previous: 4)
5th in P/TSA, Mo Pete is a stronger rebounder than DeShawn at #3, but slightly worse in all other categories. Not a lot of room to grow naturally, though.



5. Mike Miller - Indiana Pacers (previous: 6)
The Mitchell, SD product still has a bit of improvement to go, given his +10 and B pot (before the year)... but for now his efficiency keeps him from moving any higher. He and the 2 above him are very similar in outputs... but Miller lags well behind as a below-average shooter right now. His FT%, in particular, is surprisingly low. It will be interesting to track how he grows this next season or two.



6a. Jamal Crawford - Los Angeles Clippers (previous: 7b)
6b. Mateen Cleaves - Carolina Cougars (previous: 7a)
Crawford takes the PG crown at the last gasp. He's simply better in every measurable metric except for scoring volume. Cleaves lack of defensive presence is a real issue. Crawford may not end up being an elite PG in the league, but I'd be surprised if he got jumped by anyone in this class.




8a. Kenyon Martin - San Antonio Spurs (previous: 5)
8b. Desmond Ferguson - Anaheim Amigos (previous: 9)
Defensive specialists unite! Ferguson may not be anything... but his steal rate is great and that alone makes him playable as a 8th/9th man in most rotations. Martin is an elite rebounder and very very strong defender... and that's it. I love me some D/R bigs, but he might just not be enough to overwhelmingly win awards or change the fortunes of a team.




10. Chris Carrawell - Milwaukee Bucks (previous: 10)
Again, he's some guy. I don't have anything to say about him.



Honorable Mentions:

Points:
None

Wings:
Hedo Turkoglu - Washington Bullets

Bigs:
Primoz Brezec - Cleveland Cavaliers
Soumaila Samake - Charlotte Hornets
Stromile Swift - Los Angeles Clippers
Joel Przybilla - Milwaukee Bucks
Jabari Smith - Toronto Raptors
Etan Thomas - Orlando Magic

[Dirt]

Crawford still needs that +37

[Trofie]

95k

[TinyTimPig]

75,000

Vote goes to 125,000 if Dwight and Al are #1 and #2 (in no particular order) for the duration of the 3018 season.

[pointyegg]

85k

[Dirt]

76k

[Handsome Pete]

80k

[Sapular]

80K

[20s]

85k

[kc]

80k