From the Courts

Building the NBA All-Rookie Team at the All-Star Break

Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

It’s always fun to see a new crop of NBA prospects gain traction throughout their rookie seasons. The 2015-16 class features some awe-inspiring big men, rangy wings and promising playmakers.

At the All-Star break, which newcomers have shined the brightest at their respective positions? We assembled the All-Rookie team with the best performers at each spot, plus backup selections.

These picks are based on their body of work from the beginning of the season until now. We account for productivity, efficiency and overall impact while factoring in the players’ environments and situations.

Point Guard: D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers

Per-Game Stats: 27.1 MIN, 12.2 PTS, 3.3 AST, .415 FG%, .332 3FG%

Advanced Stats: 97.2 O-Rating, 106.6 D-Rating, .502 True Shooting%, 13.2 PER

It’s been a strange rookie campaign so far for Ohio State’s one-and-done prospect. He’s had to share minutes, scoring opportunities and facilitating duties with Jordan Clarkson and Kobe Bryant, among others. Russell’s role hasn’t been clear for much of the year, but he’s improved as a shooter and passer over the past couple of months.

He doesn’t have the assist production of Emmanuel Mudiay, nor does he have the efficiency of role-players like Raul Neto, Cameron Payne and T.J. McConnell. However, Russell’s displayed the most dangerous combination of scoring and playmaking of any rookie point man.

After buoying his shooting numbers nicely in January, Russell has shown more consistency and growth in February. He’s notched 14.8 points and 3.2 assists per game this month while displaying greater command attacking off the bounce.

It’s taken a while for him to get comfortable at this level, but we’re starting to see why Russell was a top-five pick in June. He’s learning how to compensate for mediocre athleticism with footwork and timing, and the payoff is steadier play.

Backup PG- Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets: 30.2 MIN, 11.4 PTS, 5.9 AST, .340 FG%

Shooting Guard: Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns

Per-Game Stats: 23.3. MIN, 10.6 PTS, 1.8 AST, .450 FG%, .403 3FG%

Advanced Stats: 99.6 O-Rating, 109.6 D-Rating, .573 True Shooting, 12.1 PER

The Suns have had a tumultuous year, to say the least. But they did push one button right in June when they drafted Booker.

The Kentucky product is still a teenager, yet Booker shows outstanding poise and a great feel for the game to complement his skills. His perimeter shooting has been as good as advertised—he’s over 40 percent from three-land, including 44 percent on catch-and-shoot treys—but his passing prowess has also been superb.

In January and February, he’s had seven games of four-plus assists. Booker dished 10 dimes Wednesday night against the Golden State Warriors in relief of Brandon Knight, exhibiting terrific fluidity in pick-and-rolls.

Once he becomes more disciplined defensively and curbs the turnover spurts, Booker will be a high-impact player and perhaps a star.

Backup SG- Jonathan Simmons, Spurs: 14.4 MIN, 6.0 PTS, .503 FG%, .412 3FG%

Small Forward: Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons

Per-Game Stats: 24.0 MIN, 9.1 PTS, 4.2 REB, .390 FG%, .315 3FG%

Advanced Stats: 100.7 O-Rating, 103.4 D-Rating, .474 True Shooting, 9.8 PER

With apologies to the defensively brilliant Justise Winslow, Johnson gets the nod at small forward because he’s played a more multidimensional brand of hoops thus far.

Johnson stepped into the Pistons’ starting lineup earlier this month after Kentavious Caldwell-Pope injured his groin. The 6’7”, 245-pound wing used the opportunity to showcase his blend of aggression and refined skill. He scored a career-high 22 points against the New York Knicks by attacking the rim, creating jumpers and connecting with teammates.

The newbie’s versatility gives Stan Van Gundy schematic flexibility. Johnson can play off the ball as a cutter and glass-crasher, or he can serve as the primary handler and create inside and out.

Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com explained that Johnson will continue to rise in the rookie food chain now that his offense is catching up to his defense:

If he keeps shooting like this, he keeps climbing…Johnson has had the defense all along, making him a lot like Winslow, forwards with important roles on teams on playoff pace…

I understand there are only so many spots for the Rising Stars Challenge, but the league will probably regret not making room for Johnson if he keeps up his recent play.

Backup SF- Justise Winslow, Heat: 27.8 MIN, 5.7 PTS, 5.1 REB, .418 FG%

Power Forward: Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks

Per-Game Stats: 28.2 MIN 13.9 PTS, 7.7 REB, .426 FG%, .349 3FG%

Advanced Stats: 104.1 O-Rating, 103.4 D-Rating, .522 True Shooting, 18.2 PER

What a sparkling opening chapter to Kristaps Porzingis’ NBA career. The Big Apple’s Latvian import has been the premier two-way rookie power forward for nearly the entire season.

While the Knicks are limping into the All-Star break with a coaching change and a six-game losing streak, Porzingis actually finished strong heading into this hiatus. In his last three games, he posted 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 3.7 blocks per contest.

Porzingis has unleashed a more diverse repertoire than I ever thought we’d see during his rookie year. He’s confident and crisp on pick-and-pops, back-to-the-basket plays, and face-up drives from the pinch post. He needs to dive to the rim harder on pick-and-rolls, but his overall impact has been superb.

In the blue-collar categories, his length and tenacity have made a colossal impact for New York. Within six feet of the rim, opponents are shooting just 50 percent against Porzingis, which is almost 10 percent worse than they fare against the rest of the league (59.7 percent).

He’s not just slowing down mediocre opponents, either. Several All-Star caliber players have struggled from the field in multiple matchups against Porzingis, shooting low percentages: Kevin Love is 6-of-20 (30 percent), LeBron James is 4-of-12 (33 percent), Chris Bosh is 8-of-21 (38 percent), LaMarcus Aldridge is 6-of-15 (40 percent), and Anthony Davis is 6-of-14 (42 percent).

Backup PF- Myles Turner, Pacers: 20.3 MIN, 9.9 PTS, 5.0 REB, 1.4 BLK, .533 FG%

Center: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Per-Game Stats: 30.1 MIN, 17.1 PTS, 10.1 REB, .544 FG%, .375 3FG%

Advanced Stats: 104.1 O-Rating, 106.9 D-Rating, .596 True Shooting, 23.1 PER

This selection was a no-brainer. Towns isn’t just the best center in the rookie class, he’s galloped out to the lead in the Rookie of the Year race.

He’s everything coaches want in a modern-era center. Towns can battle with the heavyweights inside, cover acres of ground defensively and score with finesse when required.

It’s remarkable that this shot chart belongs to a 7’0″ rookie (via NBASavant.com):

Towns isn’t an All-Star yet, but his final performance before the break was exquisite: He poured in 35 points on 12-of-19 shooting against the Toronto Raptors, adding 11 rebounds and three blocks to complete the dominance. Toronto’s frontcourt didn’t have an answer for the rookie as he led the Wolves to victory.

If this is what he can do in year one, the rest of the NBA’s bigs should consider heading for the hills.

Backup C- Jahlil Okafor, 76ers: 30.4 MIN, 17.1 PTS, 7.4 REB, .494 FG%

Click to comment
To Top