Fansided

NBA: 10 impact rookies of 2014-15

By Bryce Olin

Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 27, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Nerlens Noel (4) speaks with reporters during media day at Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 23, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Doug McDermott (3) shoots over Baylor Bears center Isaiah Austin (21) during the game in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Creighton Bluejays forward Doug McDermott (3) shoots over Baylor Bears center Isaiah Austin (21) during the game in the third round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Doug McDermott- SF, Chicago Bulls

It’s going to be interesting how Bulls’ head coach Tom Thibadeau divvies up the minutes and sets a rotation. The Bulls already have a player like McDermott in Mike Dunleavy Jr.; however, at this point, McDermott is the better all-around player.
I don’t like when people group McDermott in with other shooters because it basically implies all he can do is shoot. Well, if you watched McDermott at Creighton last season, you know he’s much more than “just a shooter.” He’s no Jimmer Fredette.

McDermott was awesome in summer league for the Bulls. He averaged 18.0 PPG on 44 percent three-point shooting, scored 31 points against the Nuggets, and followed that performance up with a 20-point, six assist game against the Timberwolves. Summer league isn’t everything, but it’s something, and McDermott was awesome in his four summer league games.

With the Bulls, McDermott will likely see limited minutes. Tony Snell, Jimmy Butler, and Dunleavy will also see minutes on the wings and at small forward. I could even see Taj Gibson getting some minutes at the small forward spot if the Bulls want to go super-big with Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. That’s a lot of juggling of lineups for a coach that doesn’t like subbing, according to Kelly Scaletta.

Eventually, though, McDermott will get his minutes and his shots. McDermott is in a very unique situation to be a very key member of a team that plays deep in the playoffs. If Derrick Rose is anything like the old Derrick Rose, McDermott is going to get some wide-open jumpers, i.e. Mike Miller in the 2012 NBA Finals. If McBuckets can knock those down, Damian Lillard’s rookie record of 185 three-pointers might be in jeopardy this season.

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