Detroit Pistons: How do rookies’ stats compare to NBA stars?
Detroit Pistons: Saddiq Bey and Paul George
If this comparison works out, then picking Bey at 19th overall may go down as one of the best front office choices this franchise has made in well over a decade.
Averaging 11 points, 1.3 assists, 4 rebounds, and shooting just over 40 percent and 38 percent from deep, Saddiq Bey is a darkhorse pick for the Rookie of the Year award. He could go down as the steal of the 2020 NBA Draft.
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During the 2010-11 season, a rookie averaged 1.1 assists, 3.7 rebounds, shot 45 percent from the field, and played very similar defense. Admittedly, this player scored only 8 points a game, but he played five fewer minutes than Bey this year.
Since that season, this player has been named to the All-Rookie Team, the All-Defensive team four times, been a five-time All-NBA player, led the league in steals, and won a MIP award. Also, seven All-Star appearances with more to come.
Can Saddiq Bey be the next Paul George? Detroit hopes so, and the numbers say he could be even better, though he has a long way to go, as George is one of the best wings in the game.