Rookies expected to give Anthony Davis stiff competition next NBA season – Part 2
2. Bradley Beal
Coming into the NBA as the third overall pick by the Washington Wizards, Bradley Beal is one of the best perimeter shooters in this year’s draft. He has drawn comparisons to Ray Allen based on his performances in college and is
set to be a key part of the Wizards offence next season.
The Florida Gator guard will be taking to court alongside the likes of John Wall, Emeka Okafor and Trevor Ariza.
Based on the roster, Wizards are set to go into next season; Beal will get his chance to score the ball as he is renowned for his ability to spread the floor. And with a point guard like Wall running the offence, the ball will
find its way to him.
However as talented as he may be, Beal may not be able to score more than 15 points per game, which may be good considering his rookie status, but he will have to increase those projected figures if he wants to have a chance in
giving Davis a run for his money.
3. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist
One of the biggest threats to Davis winning the Rookie of the Year award is his Wildcats team mate Michael Kidd-Gilchrist. Similar to Davis, Gilchrist is coming into the NBA after a successful freshman season in college which was
capped off by winning an NBA Championship.
After a successful college campaign, Davis and Gilchrist made history by getting selected and the number one and two draft picks. However the first of the two young prospects may have been blessed with much better luck as got drafted
by the New Orleans Hornets – a team looking to re-structure their foundation.
On the other hand, Kidd-Gilchrist was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats – a team who finished with the worst ever winning percentage in NBA history as they could only manage 7 wins to their name.
However blessed with un-limited amount of talents, Kidd-Gilchrist is not letting that get in his way and has recorded a spectacular performance during his only appearance in the summer league. Other then living up to the bidding
of being one of the best perimeter defenders in this year’s draft class by getting four steals and 8 rebounds, Kidd-Gilchrist put up 18 points in that game as well.
So coming into his first year in the NBA, MKG will look to use his defensive prowess to get most of scores. But it is hit shooting ability that will make him the strongest contender to bag Rookie of the Year honours.
4. Austin Rivers
Another threat to Davis’s bid of landing the best rookie honours is New Orleans Hornets team-mate Austin Rivers who was selected as the 10th overall pick.
The Hornets drafted two of the best prospects this year in order to help them re-structure their organization under the regime of Tom Benson. He may have not been as drafted as high as other contenders for the Rookie of the Year
award but none of the rookies could have gotten prepared the way Rivers has.
Being the son of Doc Rivers – the coach of the Boston Rivers, Austin has been blessed to have locker room access all his life. He is familiar with how players train and what kind of approach to take before going into an NBA game
and all these things will be of huge help in his rookie season.
Other then the fact that playing in the NBA is rather familiar territory to young Austin as being familiar with the roster decorum’s can prove beneficial. But the amount of talent he has at his disposal can also be of great help.
After spending just one season in college with Duke, Austin has come out to be known as a very good three point shooter and a talented guard who can attack the basket at will which makes him a strong contender for a shot at the
Rookie of the Year honours.
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