Which 2018 NBA Rising Stars Challenge Participants Profile as Future Superstars?
Early Inefficiencies
Dennis Smith, Dallas Mavericks
| Comparable Seasons | Match % |
|---|---|
| Stephen Jackson, 2010-11 | 89.57% |
| Ish Smith, 2015-16 | 89.51% |
| Derrick Rose, 2015-16 | 88.61% |
| Emmanuel Mudiay, 2015-16 | 88.25% |
| Jrue Holiday, 2012-13 | 88.04% |
Smith is averaging 14.8 points, 4.9 assists and 3.9 rebounds per game on a bad team. However, his -7.9 nERD puts him in the company of these five inefficient seasons. Jrue Holiday's -6.3 nERD in 2012-13 is the best of the five. Though it's also worth noting that Holiday, Smith, Rose and Mudiay were all still in the league at some point this year.
De'Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
| Comparable Seasons | Match % |
|---|---|
| D'Angelo Russell, 2015-16 | 91.49% |
| Jordan Farmar, 2010-11 | 90.27% |
| George McCloud, 2001-02 | 89.21% |
| Baron Davis, 2008-09 | 88.97% |
| Sebastian Telfair, 2008-09 | 88.94% |
Carrying a nERD of -7.3, Fox hasn't been much better than Smith. He's also saddled with a team stuck between getting younger and getting more competitive. He's managed to average double-digits (11.3 points) with a respectable 4.3 assists, 2.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals a night. Unfortunately, his closest comparison is D'Angelo Russell, who has yet to prove if he's the rookie bust (-10 nERD in 2015-16) he appeared to be or the dynamic guard he's been at times. It will take some time to see if Fox's inefficiencies are a mere product of his situation.
