The 2021 NBA Draft class has had some excellent performances a little more than halfway through their rookie seasons. This draft class has numerous players in their respective teams’ rotations regardless of whether they are a first or second-round pick.
This was regarded as a relatively deep draft class and thus far that has proven true. With so many positive COVID-19 tests throughout the season, some younger players have gotten opportunities and made the most of them. Nine players from the second round alone are averaging double-digit minutes per game.
The race for the NBA’s Rookie of the Year award will be a hotly contested one. Two of the players that are going to be in the running right until the very end are Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley.
Cunningham was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft out of Oklahoma State and was selected by the Detroit Pistons. Mobley was the No. 3 overall pick out of USC and was selected by the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have turned into a powerhouse overnight in the Eastern Conference.
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The Detroit Pistons and Cleveland Cavaliers faced off this past weekend for the second time this season and the dynamic rookies did not disappoint. In the first matchup, Mobley got the best of Cunningham and the Pistons.
The USC big man scored 16 points to go along with seven rebounds, one assist, two steals and four blocks. Cleveland won 98-78, as Cunningham scored nine points with six rebounds, three assists and one steal.
In the most recent matchup, Cade Cunningham and the Pistons returned the favor. Cunningham recorded the second triple-double of his career, scoring 19 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists. He added three steals and one block as Detroit came from behind to pick up a 115-105 victory.
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Evan Mobley had a solid game in his own right despite the loss. He scored 18 points with nine rebounds and two assists, also swatting three shots.
The future is bright for both players, who are currently atop the Kia Rookie Ladder Rankings. They are the current leaders in the clubhouse, but Jalen Green of the Houston Rockets and Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors should not be counted out just yet.
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Herbert Jones of the New Orleans Pelicans and Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic also deserve some praise for their play this season. While some of these rookies don’t play for winning teams, the Rookie of the Year award is the only one that team success, or lack thereof, shouldn’t negatively impact a candidate.
