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2017 NBA Rookie Ladder: Is Brandon Ingram A Future Star?

By Nathan Grubel

Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Brandon Ingram (14) defended by New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Brown (21) during the first quarter of a game at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) chases a loose ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 19, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Marquese Chriss (0) chases a loose ball against the Philadelphia 76ers during the first quarter at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Marquese Chriss, Phoenix Suns

Count myself along with countless others who are a little surprised by Marquese Chriss so early on.

It’s not that he didn’t have any translatable athletic talents or skills coming out of the draft. But what he’s shown in terms of knowing how to play the game is a pleasant revalation for the Phoenix Suns.

Does he have the greatest PER? No, in fact he’s in the lower fourth of the league by that metric (8.15). Advanced statistics aside though, he’s done something some thought he didn’t do in college.

He’s played hard for the Suns when he’s gotten minutes.

The biggest knock on him at Washington was his hustle on both ends of the floor. Did he want to rebound and play defense? The answer seemed like no, similar to Andre Drummond when he was at Connecticut.

Everyone knew Drummond had the ability of a top NBA center down the line. But his effort level was seriously questioned, so no one truly knew if he would reach his potential early on.

Chriss has done well to at least dispel those notions and has found ways to contribute. He has a legitimate jump shot, and he’s a force running the floor as a big man.

Yes he’s still very raw on defense. Foul trouble along with inexperience have been the two biggest keys holding him back from more minutes. But offensively he’s not far away from being a consistent presence in the scoring column.