Rookie Season Challenges: Picks Just Outside Top Three
As the 2023-24 NBA season looms, members of the 2023 rookie class are preparing to make their professional debuts. Year one is all about development and making positive strides rather than becoming finished products. Here is one thing each of draft night’s picks four through six can do to help make their rookie season a success:
Amen Thompson: Take Control of Houston’s Offense
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The first Thompson twin off the board, Amen finds himself in a scattered situation with the Houston Rockets. While possessing no shortage of talent, the Rockets have had a difficult time putting it all together in recent years. With a lack of facilitation on the roster, it’s been tough for Houston to grow as a cohesive offense rather than a collection of individual talents. Thompson has what it takes to mitigate these issues, though. A gifted athlete and passer, he has the ability to penetrate the defense and find open teammates with ease. Establishing himself as the team’s lead facilitator early on will allow Thompson to develop better habits in a more structured context as well as command the usage to grow as a creator.
Ausar Thompson: Prioritize Easy Buckets
While Ausar has an offensive skillset akin to his twin’s, the setting he will begin his career in is far different. He goes to a Detroit Pistons team that already has its primary creator in Cade Cunningham. He’s even flanked by the electric 21-year-old Jaden Ivey in the backcourt. This means that Thompson will have to make an impact with less on-ball opportunities. To do so offensively, he’ll need to use his tools to get more easy buckets off of cuts, rolls, in transition, off the catch, and more.
Anthony Black: Find Go-To Finish off Drives
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Black is quite the talented all-around player. He’s an adept passer, defender, foul-drawer and more as a 6-foot-6 point guard. However, to truly make the most of his tools as a big playmaker, he needs to improve as a scorer. While Black’s work-in progress shooting ability is easy to point at as an area of improvement, his ability to consistently finish drives with buckets is the more plausible and valuable improvement. Whether that be via his floater or with other mid-range counters, the ability to finish tougher drives off with buckets will unlock Black’s offensive game for the Orlando Magic.
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