NBA Playoffs: Rookies Who Stood Out In First Round
The first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs is officially behind us. Which first-year players showcased their long-term potential during Round 1?
The first round of the 2016 NBA Playoffs has come to a dramatic conclusion. The field has been cut from 16 teams to eight, with two series going to seven games, including one that came down to the final minute of the deciding contest.
The stars were out and shining, but it wasn’t just the veterans who stood out; even the rookies had their moments.
The NBA Draft generally produces a collection of diamonds in the rough, and 2015 was no exception. Two of the first-year players who shined during Round 1 of the playoffs were second-round selections, and another was drafted outside of the Top 20.
True to the old mantra, it was proven that where a player is drafted doesn’t matter; it’s all about what they do upon arrival.
For some, their impact could be measured by basic or advanced statistics. For others, merely watching games—revolutionary means of evaluation, I know—offered all of the background necessary to believe in their value to their respective teams.
There’s no telling who will step up in the Conference Semifinals, but during the first round, the following rookies excelled.
Next: Honorable Mentions