The NBA announced that Tyrese Haliburton is one of three finalist for Rookie of the Year honors, along with LaMelo Ball and Anthony Edwards.
The Kia NBA Rookie of the Year finalists ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OF2GdMBeHo
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 20, 2021
The top three come as no surprise, as those three have been the top of the rookie class all year.
LaMelo Ball would likely be the runaway winner if he hadn’t missed time with injuries, but his absence happened at the same time as Edwards hit his stride. Haliburton also missed time at the end of the season, but was the most consistent of the rookies with fewer low moments along the way, but didn’t have the same level of highlight production.
It seems likely that Haliburton finishes 3rd in the voting, with most debates centering on Edwards and Ball. It would be amazing for Haliburton to earn the award, but all three are deserving candidates. Regardless, as the 12th pick in the draft Haliburton has had a fantastic rookie year and far exceeded expectations.
Great addition to the team!
Congrats, Tyrese! 🙂
Tyrese seems a true building block on a winner ! Of course, Kings need a couple more of these types !
Yes.
Finally got a good news to feel happy about for Kings fans……..
Cheer for more Good News to come in June (Draft Lottery) ; July (Draft Date) ; August (Free Agency).
Josh Giddey- very similar player
then Buddy can go if need more $ for Holmes
or Sengun if Holmes can sign for mid level exception
I really don’t care if Hali wins it or not, and frankly he doesn’t strike me as a guy who would care either. His goals seem higher and right now I’d put money on him being the team leader by the middle of next year… if not sooner.
He has the passion, IQ, skill, and drive to make those around him better, and that is all that matters. I feel he can be our Manu/Iggy hybrid that is the glue to everything for the this team.
Agreed.
Expectations will be high next season.
I won’t be surprised, nor too worried, if he goed through a bit of a sophomore slump.
Unfortunately Ball’s gonna win but atleast he made top 3, good job boiiiii
Ball will win, as Tyreke did. Which makes Haliburton the Steph in this equation.
This comment is brilliant. #ReseROY
Or Edwards. He’s the guy who reminds me more of Steph, in that he started slow and came on strong at the end – and ultimately might have the highest ceiling of the three.
Frankly, I think you can make a decent case for Hali over both. But I suspect Ball gets the nod.
This is good
CBS be like….
Doesn’t matter. He’ll be on the first team and that matters more. So does exceeding expectations. But, I’ve also contended that winning awards doesn’t really matter. Being in the mix for one is far more revealing. Awards just don’t mean as much as the attention paid to them. So here are some numbers:
Tyrese first.
Games: 58
Total Minutes: 1746
ORtg: 118 DRtg: 118
TS%: 58.5%
USG%: 18.1%
AST%: 24.6%
TOV%: 12.5%
WS/48: .096
BPM: 1.1
VORP: 1.4
LaMelo Ball.
Games: 51
Total Minutes: 1469
ORtg: 108 DRtg: 110
TS%: 53.9%
USG%: 26.1%
AST%: 33.9%
TOV%: 16.3%
WS/48: .093
BPM: 1.9
VORP: 1.4
Anthony Edwards.
Games: 72
Total Minutes: 2314
ORtg: 102 DRtg: 116
TS%: 52.3%
USG%: 27%
AST%: 14.6%
TOV%: 10.7%
WS/48: .017
BPM: -2.6
VORP: -0.3
But these lack context. Edwards is clearly the least valuable of the 3. But one might point out Ball’s responsibilities outweigh Rese’s on the season. The fact that he carried this weight should be taken into consideration.
It’s closer than I think many would claim outside of Sac, but I would give LaMelo Ball the edge. Tyrese is clearly #2, and Edwards has a long way to go. At one point, early, Tyrese had this in the bag by a wide margin. But he dropped off, and missed alot of games (14 is alot). Edwards main value is that he plays.
I’d say Tyrese had a successful rookie season. And that’s really all that matters to me anyway.
Badge Legend