Players who peaked in their rookie seasons

jcardstore · 01-15-2019, 07:50 AM

As I was watching Donovan Mitchell last night I can't help but think he peaked last year.

Could he average a couple more PPG? Sure but what else could he really add to his game? Volume shooter who's not efficient and hasn't been able to handle the extra load this season.

Teams have figured out how to defend the guy and stuff that was working last year just isn't working the same.

With that being said who else peaked in their rookie season?

Guys I can think of: Tyreke, OJ Mayo maybe, Michael Carter-Williams.

I am ready for all the hate

rman112 · 01-15-2019, 07:58 AM

Jahlil Okafor

phdbeckett · 01-15-2019, 08:01 AM

Brandon Jennings
Blake Griffin 22.5 and 12.. ppg up reb down

chris_ac · 01-15-2019, 08:06 AM

I would think many would say Blake’s game has gotten more well rounded so I don’t know if he peaked his rookie year.

Andrew Wiggins. That’s if he ever actually peaked but did win ROY so makes plausible sense.

smalltown · 01-15-2019, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Teams have figured out how to defend the guy and stuff that was working last year just isn't working the same.

This is the key when evaluating rookies. And it's a major reason for the "sophomore slump" which often last into the 3rd season. Once teams figure out a player it gets a lot more difficult to improve or even get the same looks they got as a rookie. The third and fourth season is generally when we really see which players break out and which players fade away.

JustinVerlander07 · 01-15-2019, 08:42 AM

The first player that came to my mind was totally Brandon Jennings.

ballhawkdawk · 01-15-2019, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phdbeckett

Brandon Jennings
Blake Griffin 22.5 and 12.. ppg up reb down

Blake is still a helluva player from what I’ve seen. Put it on the 76ers a couple times this year. Just on a bad team.

LC2nine10 · 01-15-2019, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ballhawkdawk

Blake is still a helluva player from what I’ve seen. Put it on the 76ers a couple times this year. Just on a bad team.

His assists have gone up pretty much ever year. He just was so freaking good when he came in. His game has gotten better than just dunking which is party of the reason I think his % have gone down. He has been productive longer than I thought for a dude that based so much of his game off athleticism.

clippersp · 01-15-2019, 09:16 AM

Michael Carter Williams

ballhawkdawk · 01-15-2019, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC2nine10

His assists have gone up pretty much ever year. He just was so freaking good when he came in. His game has gotten better than just dunking which is party of the reason I think his % have gone down. He has been productive longer than I thought for a dude that based so much of his game off athleticism.

Yeah, man. Blake is no joke. He torched the sixers for like 45 the one game, 3s, post, drive off the dribble, mid range. He’s a very well-rounded scorer for a big man. I have yet to see the sixers stop the dude.

clipperboy24 · 01-15-2019, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LC2nine10

His assists have gone up pretty much ever year. He just was so freaking good when he came in. His game has gotten better than just dunking which is party of the reason I think his % have gone down. He has been productive longer than I thought for a dude that based so much of his game off athleticism.

And he’s actually become a pretty decent 3 point shooter. If he could only play defense and box out he would be a legit MVP candidate but sometimes he just spends all his energy on offense and can be a little lackluster in other ways.

It seems like at least Mitchell is in a sophomore slump. If he can’t raise his shooting percentages it won’t be pretty.

johnyensmith123 · 01-15-2019, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris_ac

Andrew Wiggins. That’s if he ever actually peaked but did win ROY so makes plausible sense.

Andrew Wiggins did win ROTY, but he averaged 16.9 PPG on 43.7% shooting from the field that year.

Two years later, he averaged 23.6 PPG on on 45.2% shooting from the field. He definitely peaked in his third season, and not in his rookie year.

Without looking up stats, Brandon Jennings came to mind, but Jennings averaged 15.5 PPG on 37% shooting from the field his rookie year. He averaged 19.1 PPG on 42% shooting from the field his third season, so Jennings also peaked in his third season.

johnyensmith123 · 01-15-2019, 09:39 AM

Jahlil Okafor and MCW are the only two players listed so far that truly peaked in rookie seasons. Blake, Jennings, Wiggins all had one or more better seasons after their rookie season.

DajuanWagner · 01-15-2019, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phdbeckett

Brandon Jennings
Blake Griffin 22.5 and 12.. ppg up reb down

Disagree with Blake...…...

Reignmanprice · 01-15-2019, 09:48 AM

Tyreke Evans and MCW should be THE "Peaked in Rookie Year" Protypes and J. Okafor is next to them.
I can´t remember any other Players that fall off this dramaticly after their Rookie Season.
OJ Mayo should on this List too but had 2-4 solid Years after his Rookie Season, so he don´t went downhill like Tyreke and MCW.

bigbadballard · 01-15-2019, 09:49 AM

Jay Williams (Bulls)

What a shame...

SHowley2003 · 01-15-2019, 09:51 AM

Blake doesn’t belong on that list. His game has continuously evolved. When he first came into the league his offense was all jumping over people and scoring at the rim. The Blake we saw during his rookie season would not have much of a role in today’s NBA game.

realreodeal · 01-15-2019, 10:02 AM

Derrick Rose��

hawkfandan · 01-15-2019, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SHowley2003

Blake doesn’t belong on that list. His game has continuously evolved. When he first came into the league his offense was all jumping over people and scoring at the rim. The Blake we saw during his rookie season would not have much of a role in today’s NBA game.

I don't think most people here actually watch basketball. They just collect cards, so they wouldn't know that. They've moved on to the next shiny new thing.

PKIPP · 01-15-2019, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkfandan

I don't think most people here actually watch basketball. They just collect cards, so they wouldn't know that. They've moved on to the next shiny new thing.

Nailed it ^^^

lietuvalabas · 01-15-2019, 10:11 AM

I seem to remember drew gooden and Shane battier having really nice rookie seasons and just mediocre going forward

TheVolta · 01-15-2019, 10:17 AM

I had really high hopes for Emeka Okafor

bigbadballard · 01-15-2019, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawkfandan

I don't think most people here actually watch basketball. They just collect cards, so they wouldn't know that. They've moved on to the next shiny new thing.

Haha!

Reignmanprice · 01-15-2019, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuvalabas

I seem to remember drew gooden and Shane battier having really nice rookie seasons and just mediocre going forward

nah nah nah not Shane Battier, yes on offense stats but not on his Overall Game. He was 10+ Years a Elite Defense Player with 2 Rings.
He was a 6. Pick so Memphis put him on Offense in his Rookie Season. you cant judge him on his Offensive Skills.

rats60 · 01-15-2019, 10:22 AM

Maybe not what the OP is looking for, but a few HOFers "peaked" or had arguably their best year as rookies.

The most obvious, Walt Bellamy 31.6 PPG and 19 RPG, both career highs. He didn't drop off much with 5 of the next 6 seasons at 20+ PPG and 4 of the next 6 at 15+ RPG.

Elvin Hayes led the NBA in scoring as a rookie and never repeated that feat. His 28.4 PPG and 17.1 RPG is arguably his best season. He exceeded those numbers each one time in his career, but in different seasons.

Wes Unseld won the MVP his rookie year. His next highest finish was tied for 8th his 2nd season. 13.8 PPG and 18.2 RPG where his third highest scoring average after his 2nd and 3rd seasons and his career high in rebounds. Rebounding and his outlet passes were what got him to the HOF, not his 10.8 PPG scoring average.

Ralph Sampson averaged 21.1 PPG and 11.1 RPG as a rookie. He did average 22.0 PPG his 2nd season, but had his career high in rebounds as a rookie. Although this one may not be fair because after his rookie year he was sharing the front court with Hakeem Olajuwon.

01-15-2019, 07:50 AM	#1
jcardstore Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 21,662 Jcardstore	Players who peaked in their rookie seasons As I was watching Donovan Mitchell last night I can't help but think he peaked last year. Could he average a couple more PPG? Sure but what else could he really add to his game? Volume shooter who's not efficient and hasn't been able to handle the extra load this season. Teams have figured out how to defend the guy and stuff that was working last year just isn't working the same. With that being said who else peaked in their rookie season? Guys I can think of: Tyreke, OJ Mayo maybe, Michael Carter-Williams. I am ready for all the hate __________________ Just moonwalking through hell on my last brain cell

01-15-2019, 08:01 AM	#3
phdbeckett Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,794 phdbeckett	Brandon Jennings Blake Griffin 22.5 and 12.. ppg up reb down __________________ Collecting: Kobe Bryant - LeBron James - Michael Jordan Giannis Rare Base / Parallels / Inserts[COLOR="black"]

01-15-2019, 08:06 AM	#4
chris_ac Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 8,265	I would think many would say Blake’s game has gotten more well rounded so I don’t know if he peaked his rookie year. Andrew Wiggins. That’s if he ever actually peaked but did win ROY so makes plausible sense. __________________ PC (NFS/NFT): Anze Kopitar/Justin Jefferson/Victor Wembanyama IG: playerclector

01-15-2019, 08:42 AM	#6
JustinVerlander07 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: michigan Posts: 16,598 gladdyontherise gladdyontherise	The first player that came to my mind was totally Brandon Jennings. __________________ Dan LeFevour PC 214/299 "Cavs in 7. Write it down"

01-15-2019, 09:48 AM	#15
Reignmanprice Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 149	Tyreke Evans and MCW should be THE "Peaked in Rookie Year" Protypes and J. Okafor is next to them. I can´t remember any other Players that fall off this dramaticly after their Rookie Season. OJ Mayo should on this List too but had 2-4 solid Years after his Rookie Season, so he don´t went downhill like Tyreke and MCW. Last edited by Reignmanprice; 01-15-2019 at 10:05 AM.

01-15-2019, 07:58 AM	#2
rman112 Banned Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Freedom is Free Again Posts: 40,946	Jahlil Okafor

01-15-2019, 09:16 AM	#9
clippersp Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 286	Michael Carter Williams

01-15-2019, 09:39 AM	#13
johnyensmith123 Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 1,750	Jahlil Okafor and MCW are the only two players listed so far that truly peaked in rookie seasons. Blake, Jennings, Wiggins all had one or more better seasons after their rookie season.

01-15-2019, 09:49 AM	#16
bigbadballard Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mass Posts: 577 jayballard83	Jay Williams (Bulls) What a shame... __________________ Instagram jbsjaylenbrownpc

01-15-2019, 09:51 AM	#17
SHowley2003 Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 6,788 SHowley2003 SHowley2003	Blake doesn’t belong on that list. His game has continuously evolved. When he first came into the league his offense was all jumping over people and scoring at the rim. The Blake we saw during his rookie season would not have much of a role in today’s NBA game. __________________ "My name is Shaquille O'Neal and Paul Pierce is the MFing Truth."

01-15-2019, 10:02 AM	#18
realreodeal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3,292 realreodeal	Derrick Rose�� __________________ Piston 4 Life. http://s466.photobucket.com/albums/rr27/realreodeal/

01-15-2019, 10:11 AM	#21
lietuvalabas Banned Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Illinois Posts: 4,360	I seem to remember drew gooden and Shane battier having really nice rookie seasons and just mediocre going forward

01-15-2019, 10:17 AM	#22
TheVolta Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 4,934	I had really high hopes for Emeka Okafor __________________ NO STICKERS! https://www.flickr.com/photos/138305299@N04/page1

01-15-2019, 10:22 AM	#25
rats60 Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Posts: 9,897	Maybe not what the OP is looking for, but a few HOFers "peaked" or had arguably their best year as rookies. The most obvious, Walt Bellamy 31.6 PPG and 19 RPG, both career highs. He didn't drop off much with 5 of the next 6 seasons at 20+ PPG and 4 of the next 6 at 15+ RPG. Elvin Hayes led the NBA in scoring as a rookie and never repeated that feat. His 28.4 PPG and 17.1 RPG is arguably his best season. He exceeded those numbers each one time in his career, but in different seasons. Wes Unseld won the MVP his rookie year. His next highest finish was tied for 8th his 2nd season. 13.8 PPG and 18.2 RPG where his third highest scoring average after his 2nd and 3rd seasons and his career high in rebounds. Rebounding and his outlet passes were what got him to the HOF, not his 10.8 PPG scoring average. Ralph Sampson averaged 21.1 PPG and 11.1 RPG as a rookie. He did average 22.0 PPG his 2nd season, but had his career high in rebounds as a rookie. Although this one may not be fair because after his rookie year he was sharing the front court with Hakeem Olajuwon.