Results 1 to 13 of 13
  1. #1
    Atkinson Fam Head ScalsFan21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    1,920

    Default Players who peaked as a rookie

    Tons of players have had their best statistical years early on in their careers, sometimes within the first couple years (Oscar actually a prime example). But what about guys who never really sustained any career-altering injuries that just never regained the form they had as a rook, and it was pretty convincingly their best year or close to it?

    Only guy coming to mind for me is Tyreke.

  2. #2
    NBA All-star NBAGOAT's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    North Korea
    Posts
    9,411

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Possibly damon stoudamire. Looking at the stats, maybe ralph sampson too. This question was made for Tyreke however.

    Edit: nvm on Sampson, he declined due to injuries.

  3. #3
    Atkinson Fam Head ScalsFan21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    1,920

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Stoudamire's Raps tenure was incredible...

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNUVt4Wjfxw

    Amazing performance that year for one of the 10 wins vs. 72-10 CHI.

  4. #4
    Why so Serious? hangintheair's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2012
    Location
    McDonald's, Gotham City
    Posts
    905

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Ron Harper

  5. #5
    Very good NBA starter
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Texas
    Posts
    8,561

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    OJ "kicked out of the league" Mayo

  6. #6
    "3 is greater than 2" CuterThanRubio's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Ricky's manbun
    Posts
    1,647

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    MCW

    Okafor

  7. #7
    Titles are overrated Kblaze8855's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Location
    I love me some me.
    Posts
    32,906

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Happens a lot with hyped prospects expected to be stars. Get all this burn early and then end up just another role player. OJ Mayo. Adam Morrison. Teams will often feed rookies to see what they can do. Some non scorers were scoring early in their careers. Mutombo put up like 19 a game for his first 3 months.....then forgot how to score for the rest of his life.

  8. #8
    Great college starter feyki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    3,619

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Wes Unseld,Tyreke Evans .

  9. #9
    Atkinson Fam Head ScalsFan21's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    1,920

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Quote Originally Posted by Kblaze8855
    Happens a lot with hyped prospects expected to be stars. Get all this burn early and then end up just another role player. OJ Mayo. Adam Morrison. Teams will often feed rookies to see what they can do. Some non scorers were scoring early in their careers. Mutombo put up like 19 a game for his first 3 months.....then forgot how to score for the rest of his life.
    Agreed on that. Part of it too is I guess the league figuring our their game and them not being able to adapt. I never would've predicted Mayo's career path...

  10. #10
    NBA rookie of the year Psileas's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Great!
    Posts
    6,706

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Walt Bellamy and (arguably) Elvin Hayes are 2 more.

    Only getting to all-time greats, not players with 4 year careers, a la Adam Morrison, etc.

  11. #11
    Great college starter feyki's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Posts
    3,619

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Quote Originally Posted by Psileas
    Walt Bellamy and (arguably) Elvin Hayes are 2 more.

    Only getting to all-time greats, not players with 4 year careers, a la Adam Morrison, etc.
    Of course , Walt Bellamy .

  12. #12
    Rich Manning is my dad Vancouver-Grizz's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    1,782

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Brandon Jennings, OJ Mayo, and Christian Laettner?

  13. #13
    College star jbryan1984's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Posts
    3,995

    Default Re: Players who peaked as a rookie

    Totally agree on Evans and Jennings. Nobody knew who would be ROTY and nobody thought Curry.


    Also Emeka Okafor. Charlotte drafted him over D12.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •