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Tyrese Haliburton is the Western Conference Rookie of the Month for February

Tyrese Haliburton's Rookie of the Year campaign just received more good news from the NBA.
By | 46 Comments | Mar 2, 2021

Courtesy of Sacramento Kings

Tyrese Haliburton is having an incredible rookie season for the Sacramento Kings, and the NBA has been rewarding him accordingly.

Haliburton won the NBA’s first Rookie of the Month award in the Western Conference for both December and January earlier this season, and added February ROTM honors to his Rookie of the Year campaign Tuesday afternoon, giving him a clean sweep in the West thus far:

Haliburton averaged an impressive 16.2 points (.513 FG%, .450 3PT%, .833 FT%), 3.8 rebounds, 5.3 assists, 1.8 steals, 0.5 blocks in 32.0 minutes per game during the month of February despite missing two games with a minor calf injury that he is still recovering from.

On the season, Haliburton is averaging 13.2 points (.494 FG%, .433 3PT%, .833 FT%), 3.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.6 blocks in 30.1 minutes per game. It is impossible to overstate how important his emergence as a real building block for the future of this franchise has been. The Kings have a ton of moving parts and roster issues elsewhere, but the backcourt core of De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton is a huge win for Sacramento.

Unfortunately for Haliburton’s Rookie of the Year odds, LaMelo Ball also won his second-straight Rookie of the Month award in the Eastern Conference, and through roughly 40% of the NBA season, this ROTY race is Ball’s to lose.

LaMelo Ball is still the favorite to win the Rookie of the Year, with odds currently at -455, compared to Haliburton with the 2nd best odds at +600. There is still a lot of basketball to be played, but LaMelo is having a very strong year for a much better basketball team that is currently in the Eastern Conference playoff picture.

Tyrese will need a few things to break in his favor to overtake Ball, but it’s not over, and after what we’ve seen Haliburton do on the basketball court this season, I’m not going to doubt his ability to close the gap with LaMelo and give us something interesting to monitor during the second half of the season.

 

 

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Yakshi
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Nostradumbass 21
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Nostradumbass 21
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March 2, 2021 12:53 pm

Whether we drafted the best or the second-best rookie in the draft is such a refreshing, positive conversation to be having for a change.

Adamsite
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Nostradumbass 14
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Nostradumbass 14
March 2, 2021 1:00 pm
Reply to  Yakshi

It will be even better if we can say the same thing next year!

HandOfTheKings
March 2, 2021 1:09 pm
Reply to  Adamsite

And hopefully, after a few moves come the trade deadline, I’d love for us to be able to say that we draft the first AND second best rookies in the draft.

jlandweh
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March 2, 2021 12:55 pm

Yea I think Lamelo wins ROY…but Haliburton has been a shining glimmer of hope in an otherwise extremely bleak season. His passing, defensive length, and clutch shotmaking have helped this team in so many ways.

The Ringer (I know Bill Simmons, ugh) released some interesting relative draft data. Since 2010 – Kings draft picks have recorded the lowest Value vs. Expectation at -68.8 in the league. That is not good – hopefully Haliburton signifies a shift in this moving forward. Obviously our most value came from Isaiah Thomas (60) and least came from Thomas Robinson (5).

Turning of the tide and hope…less Kangz and more Kings.

kings4ever
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March 2, 2021 1:59 pm
Reply to  jlandweh

So Nik Stauskas was more valuable relatively speaking than T-Rob? Ouch.

rockbottom
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March 2, 2021 2:23 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

Just think- Mclemore was the star of that threesome !

Amonk81
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March 2, 2021 2:14 pm
Reply to  jlandweh

I LOVE Hali, to the point where, after seeing him play 2 minutes I placed a $100 bet for ROY. Pays $1500…..Think I need Ball to miss a couple weeks of games but I’d rather have Tyrese than Ball or any other player in this draft. Kid is legit.

RORDOG
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March 2, 2021 2:20 pm
Reply to  jlandweh

one other Simmons nugget: Jackie MacMullan (ESPN) was on his pod earlier this week, and she said Barnes isn’t on the trading block based on what she’s heard.

Jman1949
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March 2, 2021 12:56 pm

Take a bow, young Mr. Haliburton!

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Jman1949
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March 2, 2021 1:03 pm
Reply to  Jman1949

+1
STOP THE BALL!

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J-Fresh
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March 3, 2021 1:18 am
Reply to  Jman1949

Poor Colombian team…For those that have not seen the ESPN 30 for 30 – The Two Escobars, it is highly recommended. One of the better documentaries. Get’s the nudge over the Vladefather related one IMO (still both are fantastic).

Sorry, back to Hali being a rock-star!

RobHessing
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March 2, 2021 1:13 pm

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andy_sims
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March 2, 2021 1:34 pm

I have to admit, Third Ball has been a lot better than I thought he’d be, particularly in regard to his three-point shot. I don’t know if it’s sustainable, but if he manages to only shoot the league average, that’s excellent return for Charlotte. If you dig into some of the advanced stats, Haliburton has an advantage in some spots, but given that his usage numbers are only about 70% of Ball’s, and his true shooting and turnover numbers are significantly better, I have no complaints.

Third Ball will get ROY based on the raw offensive numbers, but Tyrese is going to be more impactful when the defensive numbers are included. I just love his game, so much Doug Christie in it, but a better shooter. Viva Sacramento!

Oh, almost forgot. Tjarks wrote this article before Haliburton began his sophomore season at Iowa State, and damned if he didn’t absolutely predict what it was that we’ve been enjoying this season.

Last edited 3 years ago by andy_sims
TheLoKey1
March 2, 2021 2:04 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

Not sure why it’s surprising to people that LaMelo is playing better than his brothers, usually a Third Ball is the anomaly 😀

andy_sims
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March 2, 2021 2:14 pm
Reply to  TheLoKey1

How dare you twist what I said into something filthy.

Although, I will concede that it couldn’t have been very difficult.

TerzoM
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March 2, 2021 3:59 pm
Reply to  andy_sims

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andy_sims
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March 2, 2021 4:20 pm
Reply to  TerzoM

Not sure why this isn’t purple, but I’m damned certain that this guy’s balls are.

Carl
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March 2, 2021 4:48 pm
Reply to  TerzoM

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Last edited 3 years ago by Carl
andy_sims
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March 3, 2021 7:19 am
Reply to  Carl

“I shoulda yelled ‘TWO!'” said Francisco Garcia, launching an ostensible three-point shot with one foot on the line.

kings4ever
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March 2, 2021 1:57 pm

The only real statistical edge LaMelo has over Ty is 6.0 RPG to 3.6 RPG. Interestingly Ty has more MPG at 30.1 MPG to 28.9 MPG despite Ball being inserted as starter 14 games ago.

I think both players are worthy of ROY and don’t care who gets it, both are going to have very good to great careers.

LaMelo is clearly better than Lonzo Bust. LaMelo likes to drive to the rim and Lonzo does not. LaMelo welcome contact, Lonzo avoids it. This makes all the difference because it creates passing angles and space to shoot and foul opps, etc.

Both of the Balls have awkward release on their shot but LaMelo is a little more of a pure shooter, especially comparing their rookie seasons.

rockbottom
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March 2, 2021 2:27 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

London is no bust ! Was picked 2nd instead of about 8th ! Check his stats !

rockbottom
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March 2, 2021 2:28 pm
Reply to  rockbottom

Lonzo. Hate word correct !😡

RORDOG
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March 2, 2021 2:38 pm
Reply to  rockbottom

we’re making (partial) punctuation spacing progress folks!

kings4ever
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March 2, 2021 2:49 pm
Reply to  rockbottom

Lonzo had a 3 year career TS% below 50% until this season, let’s see if he can keep up his newfound accuracy. He’s making 40% of his 3s and 62% of his shots are 3s, doubt this lasts.

And to emphasize the difference between the two Balls referenced above, Lonzo has a career FT rate of 11% (Buddy Yield territory). His younger brother has a FT rate of 23%, a tick below Fox as a rookie at 24%.

You cannot be a wizard PG if you are afraid of contact, afraid to shoot FTs, and this make Lonzo a relative bust in my book. Maybe you expect less out of your PG.

BestHyperboleEver
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March 2, 2021 3:37 pm
Reply to  kings4ever

There’s a lot of space between wizard PG and bust. Dennis Smith has been a bust. Lonzo has been disappointing, but has been a useful NBA player since year 1 and has improved each season.

Last edited 3 years ago by BestHyperboleEver
Otis
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March 2, 2021 3:50 pm

But that’s not very hot-takey, BHE.

kings4ever
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March 2, 2021 6:20 pm

I don’t think he’s been particularly useful, until this year. He’s been a net negative player his first three seasons. His good defense has not compensated for his bad offense, bricklayer who can’t break down defenses, and he over passses, hence a net negative. He’s been a young Cory Joseph.

Lonzo helps you to lose more games than he helps you to win, that’s not useful.

Kangz_Landing
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March 2, 2021 2:01 pm

Cade next to complete the puzzle please

ajon_es
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March 2, 2021 2:06 pm
Reply to  Kangz_Landing

Great 40 pt showing a few nights ago

NorCalKingsFan
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March 2, 2021 6:44 pm
Reply to  ajon_es

Did anyone watch the Florida game vs UNC on Sat?

Tuned in to watch Scottie Barnes but Barnes was a bit disappointing that game. I was impressed with RaiQuan Gray, nice handle for a guy that size. He seems to lack explosiveness and I wasn’t able to pick up his assignments on defense to gauge that side much. I’d need to watch him more but he’d be an interesting backup point-SF.

ajon_es
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March 2, 2021 2:05 pm

Me refreshing my kingsherald.com feed to see if Luke Walton is fired yet:

(Also congrats Hali, ur a star)

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Kosta
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March 2, 2021 2:06 pm
Reply to  ajon_es

I do that, too…and I’m starting to develop carpal tunnel vision.

RobHessing
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March 2, 2021 2:10 pm
Reply to  ajon_es

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Kosta
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March 2, 2021 2:09 pm

I’d rather have Haliburton on our team.

Congrats, Tyrese!

LandParkJimmer
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March 2, 2021 3:37 pm

Haliburton is the most enjoyable thing about the Kings this season. Followed by Bagley proving he isn’t a complete bust and may actually develop into something great.

ForKingsandCountry
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March 2, 2021 5:48 pm

Haliburton has been awesome and I’m thrilled we have him. Ball looks like he’s going to be a superstar though and based on his numbers since entering the starting lineup he definitely deserves the ROY. Hali is by far number 2 and given that we got him at 12 I’m thrilled.

TheGrantNapear
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March 2, 2021 6:08 pm

I agree. I’m glad we have Hali, but Ball has a much higher cieling.
Getting Hali with the 12th pick value wise is much better compared to where Ball was picked. Glad to have Monte as our Gm instead of Vlade.

ajonez81
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March 2, 2021 6:50 pm

I’d rather have Rese than Ball because of the better efficiency, let Ball get his little popularity award. Fox and Rese were both better picks than the Ball brothers the years they were drafted and both drafted later, a rare Kings win.

Last edited 3 years ago by ajonez81
RORDOG
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March 2, 2021 7:28 pm

If anybody has time for a little light reading, then you should check out this article on Alabama’s head coach Nate Oats. As I was reading it, I was thinking McNair should go after this guy. He seems like the perfect coach for Fox/Haliburton/Bagley. Then I got to this part:

Oats does not have a name for what he runs, but his system €” call it Ball & Oats? €” has been in place since his time at Romulus High School, on the outskirts of Detroit. He got hooked when he discovered a coach at a junior college in Fresno, California, had devised a new style of offense. The man’s name is Vance Walberg.

I don’t know if Oats’ mentor would have the nicest things to say about working with Vivek after the not getting breakfast thing, or the getting fired out of spite thing.

NorCalKingsFan
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March 2, 2021 10:34 pm
Reply to  RORDOG

At what point do the other owners get fed up and finally make a move?
[This off-season would be nice.]

Jman1949
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March 3, 2021 6:45 am
Reply to  RORDOG

Oats could change the name of his system to Hali and Oats!

Brown.says.Good.or.Bad
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March 2, 2021 8:11 pm

This is good

Jman1949
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March 2, 2021 8:18 pm

No Haliburton till after the break:

https://twitter.com/NBCSKings/status/1366942854145335302

Roaddog
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March 3, 2021 1:10 am

Haliburton is great and I hope he doesn’t win ROY and uses that as one more chip on his underdrafted shoulder.

andy_sims
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March 3, 2021 7:22 am
Reply to  Roaddog

He doesn’t strike me as the type to need imagined slights in order to motivate himself. Nothing is more tedious than world-class athletes making millions, moaning after victories, “No one believed in us, man!”

RORDOG
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March 3, 2021 8:08 am
Reply to  andy_sims

He’s already talked about folks who said his shot wouldn’t translate in the NBA

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