15 NBA Rookies Who Are Already Looking Like Disappointments

By Frank Ewere

10 NBA Rookies Who Are Already Looking Like Disappointments

NBA Draft 2015 — The NBA regular season is rapidly approaching and the preseason has already started for most teams. Some rookies have taken the floor and experienced the NBA game for the first time. With the Summer League completed and the preseason getting underway, here are 15 rookies who are already looking like disappointments.

15. Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier Celtics

15. Terry Rozier

Terry Rozier Celtics — Rozier is in need of a change in scenery. With Avery Bradley, Isaiah Thomas, and the Boston Celtics’ lottery pick from last year (Marcus Smart), there is no room for another point guard. Rozier also has to work on his decision making and his perimeter shooting.

14. Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky Hornets

14. Frank Kaminsky

Frank Kaminsky Hornets — Kaminsky was a late bloomer while he was with the Wisconsin Badgers. Now, can he be expected to battle on a nightly basis with the likes of Chris Bosh, Kevin Love, and Pau Gasol? Also, Kaminsky still has to develop strength in order to be able to battle with opposing big men in the league.

13. Myles Turner

Myles Turner Pacers

13. Myles Turner

Myles Turner Pacers — Turner won’t be a disappointment because of his choices. He will be a disappointment because of what his team has chosen to do. With Paul George set to be the power forward for the Indiana Pacers, Turner is going to have to focus on covering up even more of the Pacers’ defensive mistakes. This will severely hurt his development.

12. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson Pistons

12. Stanley Johnson

Stanley Johnson Pistons — Johnson has above-average athleticism and he has potential. But he also has trouble finishing at the rim. In college, he shot less than 41 percent at the rim in the half court. Johnson does have a good floater, but how will that translate against bigger and faster opponents?

11. Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein Kings

11. Willie Cauley-Stein

Willie Cauley-Stein Kings — Cauley-Stein is known for his exceptional defensive ability. However, there are already several big men who have shown they can defend at the same type of level Cauley-Stein can. To differentiate himself, Cauley-Stein is going to have to develop a midrange jump shot. Unfortunately, he hasn’t shown the ability to consistently do that yet.

10. Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis Bulls

10. Bobby Portis

Bobby Portis Bulls — Bobby Portis was very impressive during the Summer League. Some may have seen him as only an energy guy, but he proved that he had other skills as well. Unfortunately, he will be playing behind Pau Gasol, Joakim Noah, Taj Gibson and Nikola Mirotic. Rookies need playing time or else they will never be able to show their talents.

9. Sam Dekker

Sam Dekker Rockets

9. Sam Dekker

Sam Dekker Rockets — Sam Dekker played 26 minutes in his preseason debut, but he was only able to score three points. Dekker has athleticism, but he needs to learn how to translate it into the small forward position at the highest level of play.

8. Trey Lyles

Trey Lyles Jazz

8. Trey Lyles

Trey Lyles Jazz — Trey Lyles is a skilled player with a high basketball IQ, but he doesn’t have enough strength to guard opposing big men. Unless Lyles wants to end up as a disappointment, he will build some strength before the season starts.

7. Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow Heat

7. Justise Winslow

Justise Winslow Heat — In a 90-77 preseason loss against the Charlotte Hornets, Justise Winslow struggled with his shot. Because of Winslow’s athleticism, defense won’t be an issue for him. The main problem is his inability to make shots at a high enough percentage.

6. Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay Nuggets

6. Emmanuel Mudiay

Emmanuel Mudiay Nuggets — In a preseason victory against the Dallas Mavericks, Emmanuel Mudiay had an impressive 17 points and five assists. But he also had seven turnovers. With a turnover problem and a shot that isn’t reliable, Mudiay could end up being a point guard who makes more mistakes than plays.

5. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Nets

5. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Nets — Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has athleticism, but his shooting needs work. Additionally, Hollis-Jefferson is playing for a Brooklyn Nets team that will struggle this year. Hollis-Jefferson will probably play because the Nets will experiment, but he will also have a hard rookie season.

4. Julius Randle

Julius Randle Lakers

4. Julius Randle

Julius Randle Lakers — Julius Randle may have played part of one game last season, but many still consider Randle a rookie (at least in terms of total experience). In the Summer League, Randle wasn’t finishing at the rim and he hasn’t become a power forward that the Los Angeles Lakers can count on in the future.

3. Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor 76ers

3. Jahlil Okafor

Jahlil Okafor 76ers — Jahlil Okafor had a very good Summer League and had a solid performance in the Philadelphia 76ers’ preseason opener. Unfortuately, Okafor plays for the 76ers. He will be a disappointment not because of his talent, but because he has to play in a losing atmosphere.

2. D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell Lakers

2. D'Angelo Russell

D'Angelo Russell Lakers — D’Angelo Russell was supposed to be the heir apparent to Kobe Bryant, but his play says otherwise. Russell had an unimpressive Summer League and often exhibited poor shot selection. Russell also needs to stay away from the media and let his play do the talking.

1. Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid 76ers

1. Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid 76ers — Joel Embiid is a disappointment because he can’t even get on the floor and prove whether or not he will be a disappointment. Embiid has been seen shooting and running on the court several times before games and yet he is still going to end up missing another season. Embiid may never play in the NBA and that is very disappointing.

Frank Ewere is a Beat Writer for the New Orleans Pelicans on www.Rantsports.com. Follow him on Twitter @TheFrankEwere, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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