ROOKIE- Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves (8x selected, 49.25 PRA average) The #1 overall pick in the draft has also been the #1 overall rookie in terms of times selected. Only Ryan has him left on the unused side of his ledger which could be big as he tries to close the gap with Al at the top of the Pick One standings. |
| VETERAN- Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks (8x selected, 32.88 PRA average) Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers (8x selected, 40.12 PRA average) Zach LaVine, Chicago Bulls (8x selected, 35.75 PRA average) Julius Randle, New York Knicks (8x selected, 42.75 PRA average) I was really hoping one of these four players got picked out before the All-Star Break but alas it was not meant to be and here we are with a four-way tie. Randle has the best average score of the four, which must be music to Mike's ears because he's going to need all the points he can to claw his way out of last place and he's the only one left yet to pick the lefty. |
LaMelo Ball, Charlotte Hornets (65 PRA average) Even with a 104 PRA showing, Tyrese Maxey could not steal the top rookie average medal away from the #3 overall pick in the Draft. The youngest of the Ball brothers has been tremendous for Charlotte this year off the bench and in the starting lineup as the catalyst for the Hornets' run to the top of their division. Andrew, Matt S., and Lou still have him available to select. Editor's Note: I was originally going to do a veteran one as well but after my fourth team of math I felt my time was better spent elsewhere. |
| LaMelo Ball, Gordon Hayward, & Terry Rozier (Charlotte Hornets) Well, I guess the Hornets are the polyamorous type of franchise as they are the only club so far with three players in the Six Timers Club. Atlanta, Cleveland, New York, and Toronto all have two. |
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS Now worst is a relative term in this sense as the Clippers are 24-14 and would host a first round playoff series as things stand. But in the realm of the Pick One Challenge, LA's second team is the only one with only single-digit selections to date with 9. Paul George and Lou Williams lead the way with 2 selections each. Close but no cigar considerations go to the Mavericks (12), Lakers (13), Bucks (14), Nuggets (14), Rockets (16), & Wizards (16). Editor's Note: Trades have affected certain club's numbers. |
VETERAN- Evan Fournier, Orlando Magic (2/21/2021) I'm sure in the second half the now-healthy Fournier (43 PRA) will lose this distinction for sure as the Magic will become a popular stomping ground ahead of the playoffs. Shout outs are in order for Andrew's selection of Michael Carter-Williams (32), Matt F.'s of Jeremy Lamb (31), and Greg's of Norman Powell (31). |
| Wendell Carter Jr., Chicago Bulls Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors The only two players so far with more than one DNP are these two power forwards. Green has at least paid something in the realm of dividends (26 PRA for Al on 3/3) but both of the times Carter has been selected he's been a late injury scratch. |
| MOST POINTS VETERAN: Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards (60, 1/6/2021) ROOKIE: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (39, 1/9/2021) It's no surprise that the NBA's leading scorer has the high point tally for the year given his 20+ games over 30 points and 32.9 overall average. But if you remember the anecdote with Isaiah Joe, COVID-19 has played some serious trick on the NBA this year and Maxey's 39 during the height of Philly's woes (Dwight Howard played point guard remember) is a showing we won't forget. |
| MOST REBOUNDS VETERAN: Clint Capela, Atlanta Hawks (26, 1/20/2021) ROOKIE: Precious Achiuwa, Miami Heat (13, 1/12/2021) Capela's 26 board explosion against the Pistons was the most rebounds in an NBA since Karl-Anthony Towns pulled down 27 in January of 2019. Achiuwa made the most of his time in the starting lineup for Miami, during their own COVID calamity, pulling down the most and second-most rebounds in a game for a selected rookie in the first half. |
| MOST ASSISTS VETERAN: Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks (15, 2/10/2021) Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards (15, 2/15/2021) ROOKIE: Theo Maledon, Oklahoma City Thunder (12, 2/26/2021) Assists are probably the hardest statistic to come by in the Pick One Challenge, yet nobody is surprised to see the duo leading the way on the veterans' side. However, with the tremendous class of rookie point guards in full swing, who would have foreseen second-rounder Theo Maledon pitching the French flag as the leader at the All-Star Break? |
Enjoy the All-Star Game tonight everybody and I hope you follow along for the second half of the NBA Pick One Challenge!
All Images From Basketball Reference