We don’t know who will be the top picks in the 2022 NBA Draft but we do know one thing: they will all be judged harshly by fans and analysts.
It happens every single year – people expect the very best from these young rookies right out of the gate as they enter the NBA.
But that’s just asking an awful lot of these guys, who are fresh out of college and adjusting to the most competitive league in the world.
Annual NBA DRAFT TWEET :
Jimmy Butler 2.6 PPG
Steve Nash 3.3 PPG
Kawhi Leonard 7.9 PPG
Giannis Antetokounmpo 6.8 PPG
James Harden 9.9 PPG
Kyle Lowry 5.6 PPG
Jaylen Brown 6.6 PPGRookie stats …. Chill out on judging players so earlier in their careers.
— Ben Stinar (@BenStinar) June 23, 2022
NBA writer Ben Stinar urged serious caution for those anticipating fireworks from the incoming rookie class.
He pointed out that Jimmy Butler of the Miami Heat only scored 2.6 points a game in his first NBA year.
Meanwhile, Hall of Famer Steve Nash only put up 3.3 points, while Kawhi Leonard scored 7.9, and Giannis Antetokounmpo raked in 6.8 points per game.
Stinar told people to chill out and not demand too much of the rookies entering the NBA.
He’s right: they could all be great but perhaps they’ll take some time to warm up.
Rookie Rough Patches
You have to realize just how hard it is to come into the NBA.
Even if someone’s been a blockbuster player in college, the NBA is a whole different animal filled with literally the greatest players alive.
Going from playing against a UNC freshman to Antetokounmpo is not an easy adjustment.
Therefore, it makes sense that some athletes take a while before they’re really reaching their true potential.
It might be a few months, or even a few seasons, but eventually, the best of the best will get the hang of it.
Keep this in mind as you watch this new batch of NBA players emerge in the upcoming season.
Sometimes greatness takes time.
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