Anthony Davis’s rise and 7 other must-watch NBA stories

5. NBA rookie watch

The 2020 NBA Draft was a memorable one. Players like LaMelo Ball headlined this year’s draft. A player like LaMelo being drafted by a franchise like the Hornets at the No. 3 overall pick showed how serious the draft and the players and teams are, along with players like Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman taking the first two picks.

LaMelo’s play with the Hornets has been a great representation of the rookies and what’s to come in the league this year and in the future for the stars. Ball had scoring performances of 12, 18, and 4 points in his preseason games with outstanding assists and rebounds in each game. Preseason was a good showcase for all of the rookies, as Obi Toppin, Isaac Okoro, Killian Hayes, Devin Vassell, Tyrese Haliburton, and others saw action for their teams and looked to be well acclimated into their teams already.

This draft class was a talented, superstar-packed one, and the preseason games left fans around the world with that impression. This NBA season will be one for the rookies as Hayes and others navigate through the league with their helpful veteran teammates. Hayes, for example, plays in Detroit with Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose, so his play will likely be impacted because of the expectations of them and the franchise. Ball, with Hayward, and other young players will try to make it to the playoffs in his first year.

As the saying goes, we shall see.