Selecting the NBA All-Rookie Team
By Brad Rowland
Forward – Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls
Mirotic leads all rookies in win shares and PER this season, and neither “race” is particularly close. That warrants inclusion, basically on its own.
The 6-foot-10 Mirotic isn’t a typical rookie in that he was actually drafted in 2011 by the Rockets before arriving this season with the Bulls on a lucrative contract, but the 24-year-old has managed to fit into a crowded frontcourt and that should be commended. Somewhat amusingly, it took some injury woes to Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah in order for Mirotic to get a full-on look, but since the All-Star break, the forward is averaging 16.5 points and 6.8 rebounds in order to make a late push at ROY honors.
Because Mirotic has only played 20.1 minutes per game on the season, he will likely fall short of taking home that hardware, but he has the most efficient per-minute numbers of any rookie. Of course, he is probably the furthest along in his development, given age, but that isn’t a “knock” against Mirotic, and the Bulls have placed him a position to succeed.
Given that Chicago’s frontcourt projects to be jammed again next year (and don’t forget Doug McDermott), it may be a while before we see what a full-time dose of Nikola Mirotic can bring. Still, he has been very good as a rookie and is a no-doubt choice here.
Next: Nerlens Noel