Panini Weekly NBA Report – March 3, 2021

Panini Weekly NBA Report – March 3, 2021 – Panini’s basketball team is providing weekly analysis of the previous seven days of NBA action. Check back for the latest analysis from the NBA-exclusively licensed card company!

2020-21 NBA Rookies

LaMelo Ball (Charlotte Hornets) – Through the halfway point of the season, Ball is in the driver seat for Rookie of the Year honors. The rookie guard leads all rookies in points, rebounds, and assists.

Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves) – After a sub-par 9-point game, Edwards rebounded by scoring at least 21 points in three straight games. If Edwards, aka Ant-Man, can keep up the consistent play, he should finish on the 1st team all-rookie team by the end of the season.

Tyrese Haliburton (Sacramento Kings) – Halliburton has been great for the Kings all season coming off the bench and making teams regret letting him fall to the 12th overall pick in this past year’s draft. Behind Ball, Haliburton so far this season has been the runner-up Rookie of the Year and could make a push for winning the award once he gets the opportunity to start games.

Immanuel Quickley (New York Knicks) – Another rookie guard that teams passed on and fell in the draft, Quickley has been a steal in the draft so far. In 31 games he has made an appearance in, Quickley has scored in double digits 16 times coming off the bench.

James Wiseman (Golden State Warriors) – After being out due to injury for about 3 weeks, Wiseman returned to the lineup and had some solid double digit games. With the Warriors in playoff contention, look for Wiseman to be an essential key for the Warriors the rest of the season.

Patrick Williams (Chicago Bulls) – The 4th overall pick has had a solid season for the Bulls so far, starting every game he has been active in and averaging 10 points and 4.9 rebounds per game.

Obi Toppin (New York Knicks) & Cassius Winston (Washington Wizards) – Both Rookies will participate in the dunk contest during halftime of the All-Star Game.

Under the radar rookies

Detroit Pistons Rookies: Saddiq Bey / Saben Lee / Isaiah Stewat/ Killian Hayes – The rebuilding Pistons look to have a bright future with a core of young players getting big minutes this season. Lead by Saddiq Bey, the rookie forward has shot the 3 ball great this season and won Player of the Week honors 2 weeks ago in the Eastern Conference. Saben Lee has played well as of late scoring a career high 21 points off the bench. Isaiah Stewart’s numbers on paper may not be best but the rookie center has been a defensive presence, leading all rookies in blocks and top three in rebounds. The Pistons’ top pick, Killian Hayes, has been out with an injury but perhaps has the most upside of the 4 rookies.

Theo Maledon (Oklahoma City Thunder) – Like the Pistons, Oklahoma City Thunder are on a rebuilding stage and playing a lot of younger players like Maledon. The second-round pick from France has started all the games he has been active in and is averaging 9.5 points and 4 assists a game playing alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the back court.

Young rising stars

Malik Monk / PJ Washington (Charlotte Hornets) – with LaMelo Ball inserted in the lineup, his teammates have benefited, especially his younger teammates. After not getting much playing time in the beginning of the season, Monk has played very well in the month of February scoring a career high 36 points on the 1st and averaging 23.8 points per game in the last week (4 games). PJ Washington has also played well this season and most recently scored a career high 42 points, which in the same game Monk had the game winner.

Dejounte Murray (San Antonio Spurs) – The young point guard has improved every season since entering the league and has career highs in points, rebounds, and assists this season. Murray has especially played well in the last 2 weeks averaging 21.2 PPG/7.8 RPG / 6.4 APG and will need to keep up that consist play as the Spurs fight for playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Panini Weekly NBA Report – March 3, 2021
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