Getty Image (Composite)
The 2019 NBA Draft class was recently participated in the league’s annual Rookie Survey.
Topics covered included who they think will be the 2019 Rookie of the Year, which rookie will have the best career, which rookie is the best shooter, which rookie is the best playmaker, who their favorite player is in the NBA, and more.
The results of the survey, at least in a couple of the categories, are more than a little bit shocking.
First off, when it comes to the young guns’ favorite NBA player right now, hands-down James is indeed the king, as LeBron grabbed 38 percent of the vote.
This marks the fourth time in the 10-year history of this question that James received the most votes.
Coming in second this year was Kevin Durant with 20 percent. Kawhi Leonard and Damian Lillard tied for third at 8 percent, followed by James Harden and Devin Booker who tied with 5 percent.
Others receiving votes were Jamal Crawford, Kevin Garnett, Paul George, C.J. McCollum, Steve Nash, Pascal Siakam, and Russell Westbrook.
When it comes to who this year’s rookies think will be the 2019-20 NBA Rookie of the Year, the answer is obvious.
1. Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 35%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis — 27%
3 (tie). R.J. Barrett, New York — 5%
3 (tie). Cam Reddish, Atlanta — 5%
Of note, in the 10-year history of this question, the rookies have correctly predicted the winner of this award just once: Kevin Durant in 2007.
However, when asked which rookie will have the best NBA career, the voting results are bad news for the New Orleans Pelicans.
1. Cam Reddish, Atlanta — 19%
2. Ja Morant, Memphis — 16%
3. De’Andre Hunter, Atlanta — 11%
4 (tie). Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 5%
4 (tie). R.J. Barrett, New York — 5%
4 (tie). Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans — 5%
4 (tie). Coby White, Chicago — 5%
That’s right. This year’s crop of NBA rookies think 19-year-old Cam Reddish – the Duke teammate of R.J. Barrett and Zion Williamson that no one really talked about will have the best NBA career. Apparently, Reddish’s 35.6 field goal percentage in his one year as a Blue Devil is not a concern. This was also the sixth straight year a Duke player received the most votes for this question.
Check out the top results for some of the other questions asked below. (View the full results over at NBA.com.)
Which rookie was the biggest steal?
(Tie) Bol Bol (44), Denver; Kevin Porter Jr. (30), Cleveland — 19%
Which rookie is the most athletic?
Zion Williamson, New Orleans — 87%
Which rookie is the best shooter?
Tyler Herro, Miami — 33%
Which rookie is the best defender?
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia — 37%
Which rookie is the best playmaker?
Ja Morant, Memphis — 40%
What will be the biggest adjustment for you, playing in the NBA?
Speed or pace of the game — 40%
What is the most important skill you need to develop?
Shooting — 32%