Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA: Post-Summer League Rookie Of The Year Standings

By Ezra Siegel

Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 10, 2015; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl-Anthony Towns (32) shoots against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers center Robert Upshaw (12) during an NBA Summer League game at Thomas & Mack Center. Minnesota won the game 81-68. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
10 of 11
Next
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay (China) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Emmanuel Mudiay (China) greets NBA commissioner Adam Silver after being selected as the number seven overall pick to the Denver Nuggets in the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Emmanuel Mudiay – Denver Nuggets

After a quiet season playing for the Guangdong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association, Mudiay made a lot of noise at the Las Vegas Summer League.

In four games in Las Vegas, Mudiay averaged a nice line consisting of 12 points, 5.8 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 steals per game. The Nuggets’ rookie showed a knack for getting where he wanted on the floor and finding the open man, especially when using ball-screens.

While Mudiay was similar to fellow top rookie guard D’Angelo Russell in his efficiency problems – he averaged five turnovers per game and shot 39 percent – his strength and athleticism were on full display as he overpowered defenders on drives and finished strong at the rim.

The No. 7 overall pick’s performance was certainly impressive in Las Vegas, but the main reason he lands at No. 2 on this list is his playing situation. With Ty Lawson heading to the Houston Rockets, the Nuggets will be handing the keys to Mudiay from day one.

Mudiay is an NBA-ready prospect, and with immediate starter minutes, he will be able to put up big stats from the get-go. The Nuggets likely won’t be in playoff contention this year, but his supporting cast of Danilo Gallinari, Kenneth Faried, Wilson Chandler and Jusuf Nurkic is nothing to sneeze at compared to some other top rookies’ teams.

Mudiay still has a lot to work on, especially his outside shooting, but his ball handling, passing, defense and rebounding will translate immediately. His advanced skillet and excellent athleticism may cause a lot of regret from the teams that passed on him in the top-6.

If Mudiay can produce this season with the same command and confidence that he displayed in Las Vegas, he will be the frontrunner to take home the Rookie of the Year hardware.

Next: The National Champ