Get Unlimited NBA Action With NBA League Pass
There are plenty of reasons to watch the NBA this season, and fortunately, if you aren’t getting many games on your basic cable package, it’s fairly simple to upgrade. All you need to do is look into a TV provider relevant to your area – for example, simply search “Direct TV New Hampshire” and you can gain access to teams from the northeast. You can also upgrade to premium packages that gain you access to NBA games all over the country. Why go to the effort? Well, for one thing, the NBA is off to a very entertaining and very competitive start already. Additionally, however, the rookie class is far exceeding most analysts’ expectations, which is providing fans with a whole new batch of exciting players to watch. Here are a few of the top rookies thus far:
- Number 1 overall pick Kyrie Irving has lived up to his billing as an instant game-changing point guard, and has played, for the most part, outstandingly well so far in his debut season with the Cavaliers. Irving is known as an exceptional talent, but also missed the majority of his freshman season at Duke with a toe injury, leading many to doubt whether or not he had the experience he needed to compete in the NBA. Irving has quieted those doubters, averaging about 15 points per game right off the bat while making his teammates noticeably better.
- Ricky Rubio has also been a pleasant surprise in Minnesota, where fans finally feel as if they have their point guard of the future. The top challenger, as of now, to Irving for Rookie of the Year, Rubio spent a few seasons lingering in Spain after being drafted by Minnesota. He has long been heralded as the next big thing in basketball, and his court vision is said to be the stuff of legend. Rubio isn’t much of a scorer yet, but his passing skills are off the charts, and he’s impacting games in a big way for the Timberwolves.
- Another impact guard, Iman Shumpert has been a pleasant surprise for Knicks fans who were worried about their backcourt heading into the season. Shumpert is a bit raw on the offensive end, but can still put the ball in the basket, and has greatly improved the team’s perimeter defense as well. Many were confused when the Knicks selected Shumpert with the 17th overall pick last June, but it looks like they may have made a great decision.
Those may be the biggest impact rookies thus far, but they are by no means the only new players making a difference for their teams. Cavs forward Tristan Thompson, Suns big man Markieff Morris, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, and many others are impressing in the early stages. This was seen as a somewhat weak rookie class, but it looks like it will be fun to see just how good some of these players can become.
- Number 1 overall pick Kyrie Irving has lived up to his billing as an instant game-changing point guard, and has played, for the most part, outstandingly well so far in his debut season with the Cavaliers. Irving is known as an exceptional talent, but also missed the majority of his freshman season at Duke with a toe injury, leading many to doubt whether or not he had the experience he needed to compete in the NBA. Irving has quieted those doubters, averaging about 15 points per game right off the bat while making his teammates noticeably better.
- Ricky Rubio has also been a pleasant surprise in Minnesota, where fans finally feel as if they have their point guard of the future. The top challenger, as of now, to Irving for Rookie of the Year, Rubio spent a few seasons lingering in Spain after being drafted by Minnesota. He has long been heralded as the next big thing in basketball, and his court vision is said to be the stuff of legend. Rubio isn’t much of a scorer yet, but his passing skills are off the charts, and he’s impacting games in a big way for the Timberwolves.
- Another impact guard, Iman Shumpert has been a pleasant surprise for Knicks fans who were worried about their backcourt heading into the season. Shumpert is a bit raw on the offensive end, but can still put the ball in the basket, and has greatly improved the team’s perimeter defense as well. Many were confused when the Knicks selected Shumpert with the 17th overall pick last June, but it looks like they may have made a great decision.
Those may be the biggest impact rookies thus far, but they are by no means the only new players making a difference for their teams. Cavs forward Tristan Thompson, Suns big man Markieff Morris, Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, and many others are impressing in the early stages. This was seen as a somewhat weak rookie class, but it looks like it will be fun to see just how good some of these players can become.
