Could Jahlil Okafor Win Rookie Of The Year?
By Josh Wilson
Apr 6, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Duke Blue Devils center Jahlil Okafor (15) drives against Wisconsin Badgers forward Frank Kaminsky (44) in the second half in the 2015 NCAA Men
Kaminsky is a candidate that’s hardly brought up in the discussion for rookie of the year this season, but I believe he’s incredibly overlooked. I believe in the environment he’s been placed in down with the Charlotte Hornets, he can surely succeed.
This is true with most lottery picks, but the Hornets are a team desperately looking for some players to step up. Sure, Kemba Walker has done a decent job holding things down, but he can’t do everything on his own. Cody Zeller has done a decent job, but certainly not great. Kaminsky could be the player that really sets things into motion.
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Kaminsky spent all four years of his college career, while other lottery picks often only stay in school for one or two years. While some see this as it taking Kaminsky this long to develop to how far Okafor made it in a single year, I feel like Kaminsky is better than that. I also believe four years in the NBA is smart, and I am a fan of players spending a few more years in college to enter the NBA as more mature and developed individuals.
Kaminsky knows some people don’t respect him as much as other lottery picks. As he told ESPN, he’s starting off with “no respect,” despite his 18.8 points per game last year and his role in leading the Badgers deep into the tournament.
Does Kaminsky Pose A Threat To ROY?
No, probably not. Kaminsky is a great player who is more developed than people give him credit for, but I still think he’s missing some of the skills necessary to truly shake things up enough in Charlotte in his first year to win the rookie of the year award.
Despite this, he’s a guy with a lot to prove, and I think he should at least be brought up in the conversation as a candidate for the award.
Next: D'Angelo Russell