10 Rookies I’m Excited to Play with in NBA Live 16 and NBA 2K16
Last year’s NBA rookie class had a lot of promise, but a rash of injuries caused it to be a bit of a letdown in both real life and video game basketball. Still, Andrew Wiggins, Elfrid Payton, and Zach LaVine made their mark on video game basketball with a variety of skillsets, crazy hops, and, (in the case of Payton) absurd hair.
Which rookies are going to make a splash in 2015? Let’s count them down!
10: Richaun Holmes, SF/PF, Philadelphia 76ers
Let’s kick things off with a bit of a homer pick. Now, before you tweet at me angrily, let’s look at some measurables for Holmes. He’s a 6–8 forward with -a massive 7–1 wingspan and 9–0 standing reach and a 35 inch vertical. He’s a huge man who can fly, and in limited time at the Utah Summer League (he got injured after 3 games), he demonstrated a good feel for shot blocking (he blocked almost 3 per game in 28 minutes in college) and a nice 3-point stroke (42% in college). He’s one of those guys that the Sixers seem to grab every year in the second round, except unlike Jerami Grant and JaKarr Sampson, Holmes can already shoot it. He should get plenty of opportunity in small-ball lineups, where he can fire away and help protect the rim, especially when Jahlil Okafor is out there without Nerlens Noel.
9. Norman Powell, SG, Toronto Raptors
If DeMar Derozan leaves Toronto for greener pastures after this season (he will almost assuredly opt-out of a $9.5 million player option for 2016–2016), Powell stands to possibly make the blow a little softer. He’s on the small side for a shooting guard at 6–4, but his 6–11 wingspan and 40 inch vertical will keep him competitive on the defensive end. Powell was a First-Team All LVSL player for Toronto, scoring 18 points per game while shooting 44% from deep and chipping in 4 rebounds, an assist, 1.5 steals and 1.5 blocks in 4 games. After losing Lou Williams to the Lakers, the Raptors would seem to be in need of a backup to Derozan, and Powell seems to be that guy.
8. Joseph Young, PG, Indiana Pacers
Young played 37 out of 40 minutes per game in college, so the former Oregon Duck shouldn’t wear down over the course of the season with a much lighter workload for a Pacers team that has a few primary ballhandlers already in Monta Ellis, George Hill, and Paul George. Young is a bit on the smaller side (6–2 with a 6–5 wingspan), but he rebounds well for his position and can really fill it up. He led the Orlando Summer League with 22.5 points per game on 51% from the field and 45% from 3. Young probably won’t be a lead guard for Indiana anytime soon, as he can’t replace George Hill’s defense, but he’ll be a great bench option in both NBA 2K16 and NBA Live 16 with his ability to shoot and get to the rim with his tremendous speed.
7. Justin Anderson, SF, Dallas Mavericks
Anderson was a guy a lot of people loved coming out of college. His 6–6 height and 7–0 wingspan to go along with 45% shooting from deep in college definitely show why that would be. Anderson didn’t disappoint in Summer League, impressing with 17.5 ppg while showing an ability to get to the line and convert. Anderson was a streaky shooter who got hot in the last 3 games, converting 11–19 3s over that stretch. Anderson projects as a great defender, an Andre Iguodala-style player for a Dallas team that desperately needs athleticism on the wing. Anderson should get plenty of chances in both real life and NBA 2K16/NBA Live 16, and it seems likely that he will answer the call.
6. Jahlil Okafor, C, Philadelphia 76ers
Jahlil Okafor should probably be higher on this list, and, on a list of impact rookies, he would rank near the top, if not at the top. He’s the early leader for the Rookie of the Year award who showed a smooth post up game and keen offensive awareness during Summer League play. He even showed pretty good ability on the defensive end, supposedly a weakness, in holding his own when matched up against D’Angelo Russell on a handful of defensive switches. Okafor is 6–11 with a 7–5 wingspan, which certainly helps when switched onto smaller guys, but the NBA is moving away from dominant post play, and neither NBA game really allows for the balletic mix of power and footwork that a guy like Okafor possesses. In either game he will be the first option for a 76ers team devoid of high-end offensive talent, but it won’t be a ton of fun to rack up points with him.
5. Myles Turner, C, Indiana Pacers
Turner is one of the most versatile players in this draft class. He’s 6–11 with a 7–4 wingspan, but he showed a deft touch in Summer League on a variety of midrange and post-up shots. He scored 18.7 ppg over the 3 games on 61% from the field and 80% from the free-throw line. He averaged 3 offensive rebounds per game and 8 overall to go along with an eye-popping 4.3 blocks per game. Turner has a good chance to take over at center for a Pacers team currently deciding between Ian Mahinmi and Lavoy Allen for that spot, and most NBA Live 16/NBA 2K16 players will probably want to insert him into the lineup from day 1.
4. Karl-Anthony Towns, PF/C, Minnesota Timberwolves
The #1 overall pick in the draft, Towns is big (6–11 height, 7–3 wingspan), fast, and seems to be hiding a good stroke. He shot 81% from the free-throw line in college, and some scouts have given him 3 point range, making him a potential 3-and-D center, which is almost unheard of in the NBA. Towns is quick and agile like Nerlens Noel, himself a former Wildcat, but with a more robust offensive game than his predecessor. Towns probably won’t start for the Timberwolves, who have 5 guys listed as centers on their roster, but he should see minutes at forward and center, and if he can prove to be a good outside shooter, he might slide into a starting job at power forward, where Minnesota is less deep. Towns brings a jolt of athleticism into a relatively plodding Minnesota frontcourt, and his shotblocking should help the T-Wolves’ interior defense.
3. Emmanuel Mudiay, PG, Denver Nuggets
Concerns about his shooting probably caused Mudiay to fall out of the top 5, but the Nuggets couldn’t have been happier with their selection. Mudiay reminds a lot of scouts of a guy like NBA Live 16 coverboy Russell Westbrook, only with better point guard instincts. Mudiay showcased his passing bigtime during Summer League, even as his shooting numbers were predictably subpar (39% from the field, 14% from 3, 50% from the line). Mudiay should start for Denver, and his massive frame (6–5 with a 6–9 wingspan) and absurd athleticism should make him a guy that users will be able to dazzle with on drives to the paint. It’ll take some time to get his outside shooting to an acceptable level, but he will be a terror offensively and defensively.
2. D’Angelo Russell, PG, Los Angeles Lakers
Russell was the #2 pick in the draft, and he’s my #2 choice here as well. Although he struggled immensely in Summer League, Russell projects to be an elite ball-handler and shooter, capable of incredible stuff in both NBA games. Be it step backs, spin jumpers, or just getting to the rim and to the line, Russell will be a star in NBA Live 16 and NBA 2K16. Unless Kobe Bryant slides to small forward, Russell will be battling for a starting spot with second-year player Jordan Clarkson, and I’d consider that a toss-up. Clarkson was really good in his rookie season, and he looked like a vet at Summer League. Russell has the high-draft status and better shooting ability (theoretically) on his side. Regardless, a user in either NBA game can play them together, or they can essentially share the point guard spot, ensuring that neither guy is fatigued at the end of a game. The Lakers aren’t “back” yet, but they have their backcourt of the future, and Russell is going to be a key member of that unit for a long time.
1. Mario Hezonja, SG/SF, Orlando Magic
The sweet-shooting Croatian has the size (6–8), shooting ability, and athleticism to be a dominant player in NBA 2K16 and NBA Live 16. He didn’t really get a chance to show his skills during Summer League, as he only appeared in 2 games, but he did hit a game winner in his first game as a pro. Hezonja is a big dunker with attitude and will be a terror as a secondary player on pick and rolls. A Payton/Vucevic pick and roll with Hezonja and Oladipo stationed on the wings, ready to shoot or attack the rim, is a potentially deadly proposition for a defense. Hezonja isn’t a great ball-handler yet, but that matters less in video game basketball than in real basketball. Sure, you won’t be able to do the things with him like you could with a guy like D’Angelo Russell, but Hezonja in the open court will be deadly because of his ability to both rise up and get up. Expect many Hezonja highlight reels on Youtube as players utilize the #5 overall pick to the fullest extent.
