Fansided

NBA Rookie Rankings: 5 guys who will matter in the playoffs

By Rucker Haringey

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Landry Shamet #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Detroit Pistons on December 10, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 10: Landry Shamet #1 of the Philadelphia 76ers looks on against the Detroit Pistons on December 10, 2018 at the Wells Fargo Center 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
LOS ANGELES, CA – OCTOBER 19: Los Angeles Clippers Guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) drives to the basket during a NBA game between the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Clippers on October 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, CA. (Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Unlike Diallo, Gilgeous-Alexander came into the NBA with high expectations. That’s what happens when you’re drafted No. 11 overall. Fortunately for the Clippers, he’s exceeded the average value for that selection.

He’s not the perfect player, but he doesn’t look out-of-place as a starter in his rookie season. That bodes really well for his future. The question is just how much progress Gilgeous-Alexander can make on the fly this season. That will largely determine his role in the postseason if the Clippers can make it there.

Right now he’s starting for Doc Rivers, but he’s only playing just over 25 minutes a night. Remember, Lou Williams is arguably the Clippers best guard and he prefers to come off the bench. If Williams didn’t have that preference, Gilgeous-Alexander would probably be Rivers’ first guard off the pine.

What Gilgeous-Alexander is right now is a steady point guard who can knock down a respectable number of perimeter shots. Shooting 35.9 percent from 3 isn’t going to pave his way into the Hall of Fame, but it helps keep the floor spaced for his teammates. His ability to hit shots from deep will be tested in the pressure of this year’s Playoffs.

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