Kiz: When Emmanuel Mudiay fell to the Nuggets at No. 7 in the first round of the NBA draft Thursday, general manager Tim Connelly said he was “giddy.” And for good reason. Mudiay is the most talented rookie to join the Nuggets since Carmelo Anthony in 2003. But let’s not forget that Mudiay won’t turn 20 years old until next March and his jump shot is a work in progress. How big an impact can we reasonably expect him to have as a rookie?
Hooch: I’m giddy to be debating you, Kiz! Yes, with apologies to Yakhouba Diawara, Mudiay will be the most talented Nuggets rookie since Melo. (Incidentally, how did Melo not win the award in 2004? He played in every game, averaged 21.0 points and 6.1 rebounds per game and led Denver to the playoffs at age 19! LeBron James, yeah, yeah, he’s a better talent, sure, but he didn’t make the playoffs, while averaging 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists as a Cleveland rookie). I think Mudiay will be thrilling, but he won’t even be the league’s top rookie point guard, let alone player. (That’s what we call a tease.)
Kiz: Before I can tell you how many points and assists Mudiay will average per game, you have to tell me how many games hookah-loving, trash-talking point guard Ty Lawson will play for the Nuggets this season. Mudiay is big enough to play shooting guard alongside Lawson, but forcing a rookie to play out of position would not give Mudiay his best chance to develop or shine. If the Nuggets care about Mudiay, they have to trade Lawson.
Hooch: I could see the passion in Mudiay’s face when I asked him if he needs the ball in his hands. “I’m a point guard,” he said. Let him grow. If that means having Lawson as the shooting guard — but switching it up on the defensive end — I’m cool with it. How good is Mudiay? Some college experts thought he could have led Southern Methodist (Southern Methodist!) to the Final Four.
Kiz: OK, I am going to assume Lawson’s scary act is gone from Denver by Halloween. If that’s the case, then Mudiay should pop in old video of Fat Lever and strive to be a rookie guard who hits the boards, finds the open man and plays wicked defense. It’s possible Mudiay could average 12 points, six assists and five rebounds per game. Those numbers probably won’t beat out Karl- Anthony Towns for rookie of the year, but it might get Denver back in contention for a playoff berth in the Western Conference.
Hooch: Man, even if he averages 18, six and five, I don’t know if this is a playoff team in 2016. I hope I’m wrong. But, look, the best rookie is out in Hollywood: flashy D’Angelo Russell, the Ohio State point guard nabbed No. 2 overall by the Los Angeles Lakers. No, he will never be Magic. Shoot, maybe not even Earvin. But this guy will flourish under Byron Scott — former rookie of the year Chris Paul’s first coach too. Playing in a big market with TV exposure will help Russell get the eyeballs needed to win the hardwood hardware.
