2015/16 NBA Rookie of the Year Race

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
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Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribble the ball during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Boulder, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Emmanuel Mudiay (0) dribble the ball during the first half against the Chicago Bulls at Coors Events Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

1 – Emmanuel Mudiay

Odds: 4/1

Drafted: 7th by the Denver Nuggets

FGM FGA FG% 3FGM 3FGA 3P% FTM FTA FT% Reb Ast Stl Blk TO Pts
Summer 20 52 0.39 2 14 0.14 6 12 0.5 14 23 5 1 20 48
Preseason 27 73 0.34 6 16 0.40 15 20 0.692 15 27 5 2 24 75
Total 47 125 8 30 21 32 29 50 10 3 44 123
Average 5.2 13.9 37.6% 0.9 3.3 26.7% 2.33 3.6 65.6% 3.2 5.6 1 0.3 4.9 14

Once Ty Lawson was traded to Houston it became clear that Emmanuel Mudiay received the keys to the franchise moving forward. There are similarities to his game and that of Michael Carter-Williams. Mudiay will likely stuff the stat sheet while offering subpar percentages from the field, free throw line and from outside.

During his rookie of the year campaign, Carter-Williams averaged 16, 6 and 4 while only shooting 40% from the field and 26% from the three point line. Mudiay has the benefit of having a few more savvy veterans alongside him than Carter-Williams did during his rookie year in Philadelphia which should keep his poor shooting in check.

The worry for Mudiay would be the turnovers, after averaging 4.9 per game during Summer League and Pre Season, he will need to bring that in well under 4 if he really wants to be in consideration for Rookie of the Year. Having said that, I believe he will be given heavy minutes and can provide a fairly wide range of statistics which is why he is my pick for Rookie of the Year.

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