NBA Preseason 2014: Schedule and Predictions for Under-the-Radar Rookies
The NBA preseason may be more important for rookies than veterans and superstars, but there are varying levels of importance within the rookie ranks as well.
We know Andrew Wiggins, Jabari Parker, Marcus Smart and Julius Randle are going to have spots in their respective teams' regular-season rotations. However, some rookies who entered the NBA with plenty of talent but not as much fanfare could use productive preseasons to help establish themselves.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at some preseason predictions for a few under-the-radar rookies across the league. Remember, the preseason kicked off Oct. 4, while the regular season begins Oct. 28. The entire preseason schedule can be seen at NBA.com.
T.J. Warren, Phoenix Suns
Prediction: Warren focuses on other areas of his game outside of scoring.
When the Phoenix Suns snagged T.J. Warren with the No. 14 pick, they got the nation’s third-leading scorer, at 24.9 points a game. Despite the impressive numbers, Warren was rather unheralded coming out of college compared to some of his ACC counterparts at Duke and North Carolina.
Perhaps that is just life as a North Carolina State player, but he deserves some recognition.
We know about Warren’s scoring, and it was on full display in a preseason victory against the Denver Nuggets when he scored eight points in just over a minute to help secure the win. However, the best way to crack the Suns rotation is with a renewed emphasis on other areas, especially defense.
P.J. Tucker is suspended for the first three games of the regular season, so Warren has an opportunity to impress. The scoring will take care of itself with so many guards on the roster, as opposing defenses collapse on penetration and open up the forwards, so look for Warren to focus elsewhere.
Tucker’s absence will be felt the most on defense, which is why Warren needs to show he is better on that end than many assume.
He said as much, via Paul Coro of azcentral sports: "I feel like I'm improving dramatically defensively, being in the right spots and the right times and defensive rotations. I am moving my feet better and getting adjusted to the NBA defensive game."
The fact that Warren is already focused on that end of the floor speaks volumes about his willingness to improve, and at 6’8”, he can also get involved in the rebounding department. It will be difficult for Phoenix to ignore the versatile forward when distributing the minutes, especially if he does more than just score.
Adreian Payne, Atlanta Hawks
Prediction: Payne plays his way into the regular-season rotation in Atlanta.
The Atlanta Hawks used the No. 15 pick on Adreian Payne, and they will quickly find out that the Michigan State product's best attributes are his overall game and his ability to do a number of things effectively.
In his first preseason contest against the New Orleans Pelicans, Payne finished with seven points and two assists and made both free throws. He then swatted four shots and grabbed eight rebounds in his second game against Memphis.
The one thing he is not doing is scoring (four combined points and a single basket from the field in two games), but that will likely change. After all, he scored 16.4 points a game last season at Michigan State and shot 42.3 percent from behind the three-point line.
Payne can stretch the floor with his shooting prowess, which is a nightmare for many NBA bigs, and he is quick enough to make plays off the bounce. More importantly, he controls the glass and is a menace defensively because of his shot-blocking ability.
Payne will play his way into the rotation largely because Atlanta finished 28th in the NBA in rebounds per game a season ago. Of course, Al Horford’s injury didn’t help on the glass, but Pero Antic averaged only 3.9 rebounds a game (for comparison, Kyle Korver averaged 5.3).
The Hawks need another rebounding presence, and that is exactly what Payne will become.
Kyle Anderson, San Antonio Spurs
Prediction: Anderson will demonstrate why he is such a perfect fit in San Antonio.
The San Antonio Spurs, like they almost always do, seemed to get a steal with the No. 30 pick in the draft. Kyle Anderson can do a little bit of everything and will prove his value over the course of the preseason in San Antonio.
He started a preseason game in Turkey and finished with nine points, two assists and two rebounds in 27 minutes and flashed some of his overall skill set. His athleticism is sometimes overlooked because of how smooth and patient his game is, but he can handle the ball, shoot, set up teammates and get involved in the rebounding department.
He also avoids turnovers.
Dan McCarney of the San Antonio Express-News described Anderson’s game:
Because of Anderson’s overall versatility and ability to fill almost any role, San Antonio will find a way to get him on the floor immediately, especially since the Spurs go so deep on their bench every season. Last year at UCLA, Anderson averaged 14.6 points, 8.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists and 1.8 steals a game and shot 48.3 percent from three-point range.
Few college kids do everything like Anderson did, and he has already earned praise from some teammates, via Paul Garcia of ProjectSpurs.com:
The Spurs thrive on unselfishness, versatility, the ability to set up teammates, and the willingness to always make the extra pass and be in the right position on defense. Anderson did all of that in college and will continue to do so during the preseason.
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