Fansided

NBA Rookie Rankings: Luka Doncic and Jaren Jackson are pulling away

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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We’re roughly a quarter of the way through the NBA season and rookies are really starting to show their true colors. Luka Doncic continues to excel.

There’s no debating that this year’s class of NBA rookies is exceeding expectations. Plenty of guys are playing meaningful roles for their teams. With that being said, two guys are clearly starting to separate from the pack.

Fans in Dallas and Memphis have every reason to be ecstatic with their respective rookies. Luka Doncic has gotten a ton of positive press for the Mavericks, but Jackson has been intensely important for the Grizzlies as well. It’s safe to say that neither franchise is looking for a mulligan for their selections in last year’s draft.

Plenty of other teams are happy with their picks too. In this piece, we’ll walk you through the league’s five best rookies to date. We start with a guard who is helping one of the West’s most surprising teams.

SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA – NOVEMBER 29: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on November 29, 2018 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

It’s very hard for young guards to step right into the NBA and help teams play winning basketball. That’s exactly what Gilgeous-Alexander is doing for the Clippers. Without his solid play, Doc Rivers would be searching for answers at both guard positions.

Gilgeous-Alexander is somewhat of an acquired taste. He’s toggling back and forth between both the point and off-guard position for the Clippers this season. That versatility might be holding his stats down, but it’s really proved to be huge for his team.

His future lies at the point guard position though. He’s not going to blow anyone away with quickness or vertical explosion, but he uses his size to get anywhere he wants on the floor. That, combined with his use of tempo makes him really difficult to guard.

The one thing he needs to improve is his shooting. His effective field goal percentage is still just 50 even though he’s shooting just a shade under 35 percent from behind the arc. The Clippers have enough offensive talent to generate open shots for him. A little more efficiency could make him even more dangerous as the season goes along.

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