Five NBA rookies will be in the spotlight after the All-Star Game, but not Rockets Green, nor Shin Kyung. The 2022 NBA All-Star Game has finally come to an end, and according to the reporter of the AMERICAN media CBS Sports, the rookie attracting the attention of the league is no longer just a potential rookie candidate of the year such as Evan Mobley, Scotty Barnes or Cade Cunningham, but some outstanding and influential rookies. For example, here are 5 potential rookies:
1. Ayo Dossonmu
Average: 8.1 points, 2.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists, shooting 52.3 percent from the field and 40.7 percent from three-point range.
If 30 teams were allowed to resume the 2021 NBA draft, there is no doubt that he would have been selected in the first round of the draft, not by the Bulls with the 38th pick. With Lonzo Ball and Alex Caruso both missing many games due to injuries, Dossonmu was able to show off his strength.
Since mid-January, Dossonmu has made 18 consecutive starts, averaging 11.8 points, 6.8 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game, shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 39.7 percent from three-point range.
Against the Indiana Pacers in early February, the rookie recorded a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds. Not only is he very confident, but head coach Billy Donovan has a lot of trust in him. Because in the absence of the ball, Dossonmu is very good at controlling and passing the ball, allowing his teammates to be comfortable in attack. Although he doesn't have a very wide field view, he can always control the rhythm of the game in his own way.
Dossonmu will be back on the bench once Ball and Caruso are back in the Bulls' lineup, but his impressive performance in the starting lineup will make the Bulls' second-team stronger.
2. Jonathan Cumminga
Average: 8.0 points, 2.8 rebounds, shooting 51.1% from the field
Cumminga has been able to play steadily on the bench as a rookie, as Draymond Green's injury and the absence of key players such as Andre Iguodala have given Cumminga plenty of opportunities to perform. Cumminga's athleticism is outstanding, and with the trust that head coach Steve Kerr has placed in him, it comes from his ability to create offense.
Since Cumminga can defend the opponent's defender alone, because he has excellent athleticism, can easily cross higher defenders, even if he does not have the ball in his hand, he is also smart in offensive timing and knows when to cut to the basket.
Cumminga was able to do a lot at both ends of the pitch and arguably had a positive impact on the game. He opened up space for Klauee Thompson to give his teammates more free shots. On the other hand, he's a good fit for the Warriors' defense, and he's earned a place as a reliable rotation player. Cumminga's progress has been evident, and he has proven to be a key player on the Warriors bench.
3. Chris Duarte
Average: 13.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, 2.2 rebounds, shooting 43.5 percent from the field and 36.4 percent from three-point range.
Duarte may slowly be in the league's spotlight as he finishes sixth in scoring per game in his rookies this season. However, in several deals the Pacers have made, there have even been requests to include him in the deal. The Pacers, on the other hand, want to form a new core lineup with Duarte, Thales Halliburton and Miles Turner.
Duarte missed Indiana's last two games with a toe injury four minutes before the Pacers' game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. After entering the All-Star Game, enough rest time could allow him to return to the Indiana starting lineup.
Duarte's ability to score and finish games is very strong, and he is the kind of player who can plug and play because he has the ability to attack with or without the ball. He is one of the best three-point shooters of this rookie season.
When Halliburton attacked, as a fixed-point shooter, he always seemed calm and self-assured, never rushing to break through the defense. He acted like an experienced veteran. Now he will have more opportunities to score and it will be even more beautiful to see his stats for the rest of the season.
4. Herbert Jones
Average: 9.6 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.1 assists, shooting 50.0 percent from the field and 35.8 percent from three-point range.
Jones has been very important to the Pelicans this season: He is 96th in the league with a 12.1 efficiency. When he's in the Pelicans' roster, the team will score eight more points than usual. His performance has been key to the New Orleans Pelicans' recent move up the rankings. Jones' offense is very efficient because he is not only an active three-point shooter, but he also knows when to cut to the basket.
Jones' other big advantage is on the defensive end, where he can defend against the opponent's best outside players. He ranks tenth in defensive shooting percentage among rookies. As he sat down on the bench to rest, the Pelicans defense began to crumble. Jones' defense will become even more critical in this team.
5. David Mitchell
Average: 10.4 points, 2.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists
Mitchell ranks No. 1 in defensive shooting percentage among rookies and 11th in the league as a whole. Before the All-Star Game, Mitchell had made great strides in his offense, such as the fact that he had averaged 19.4 points per game in his last five consecutive games.
Mitchell's consistency was an issue at the start of the season, but his recent performances proved he was getting better, surprising in his six starts in place of the injured De Aaron Fox.
After the Kings replaced Sabonis and Justin Holyrood of the Pacers with Halliburton, Mitchell is likely to play a bigger role. Although Mitchell is less than 6 feet 2 inches tall, his defense is also crucial for the Kings, as the Kings would have scored 6.5 points less on the court without Mitchell. His defense has become an important force for the Kings.
