The NBA rookies have not disappointed this season. From day one, there have been several rookies that stand head and shoulders above the rest. Chicago Bulls forward, Lauri Markkanen has been one of them.
Rookies Ben Simmons and Donovan Mitchell each find themselves as focal points on potential playoff teams. Jayson Tatum is a vital piece on a championship contender. Among these rookies already excelling is the Bulls first-round draft pick last year, Lauri Markkanen.
Markkanen’s already proved his value to the Chicago Bulls. Will he be named to the NBA All-Rookie First-Team?
How do Lauri Markkanen’s numbers stack up against other rookies?
There have been plenty of rookies putting up some good numbers this year.
Ben Simmons is averaging nearly a triple-double (16 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists per game) on a 76ers team that finds themselves in the playoff hunt. Lonzo Ball (9 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists per game) is also averaging nearly a triple-double but having less team success.Donovan Mitchell is leading all rookies in scoring, averaging nearly 20 points a game. He’s also leading the Jazz to a possible playoff spot.
So how do Markkanen’s numbers compare to these other rookies?
Currently, Markkanen is 4th in scoring per game for all rookies at 15 points per game, and tied for 1st in rebounds with Simmons at 7.7 per game. Markkanen is also shooting a rookie-best 85.6% from the free-throw line.
Markkanen’s strong and consistent scoring and rebounding efforts will be a huge factor when being considered for the NBA All-Rookie First-Team.
Will lack of depth at Markkanen’s position help his case?
Of all the rookies that are making cases to be named to the NBA’s All-Rookie First-Team, there is one stark difference between Markkanen and the rest of those rookies. Markkanen is a power forward/center, while the latter are all perimeter players. Ball, Mitchell, and even Simmons (despite being nearly 7-feet tall) are all guards. Tatum and Kyle Kuzma have been playing mostly at the forward position.
Markkanen is the only true big man of the group. If history repeats itself, as it usually does, then that will actually play to Markkanen’s advantage.
Since 2001, there has always been at least one player who primarily plays power forward and/or center on the NBA All-Rookie First-Team. No other player at his position is putting up close to his numbers. That makes for an even better case for Markkanen.
So will Markkanen find himself on the NBA All-Rookie First-Team or not?
Barring anything catastrophic happening to him or his game, it does seem like Markkanen is on track to be named to the NBA All-Rookie First-Team.
Markkanen has proved himself to be a great asset for the Chicago Bulls by being a versatile and consistent scorer as well as a solid rebounder. His numbers, along with the lack of competition among rookie big-men, should place Markkanen on the NBA All-Rookie First-Team.