Stefon Castle won the NBA Rookie of the Year, but that doesn’t mean he’s the best first year player.
On April 29th, Ernie Johnson joined TNT with San Antonio Spurs Rookie Stefon Castle as the only player to bring back hardware to Victor Wen Banyama, Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
Castle led all the rookies with total points and steals, finishing in the top 10 with assists and rebounds. He was long expected to win the award, but that doesn’t mean he is the best newcomer.
Philadelphia 76ers rookie Jared McCain tore Meniscus and was ruled out towards the season, but before that he was on the front line.
As soon as McCain was ruled out for the season, it was clear he wouldn’t win Rookie of the Year.
Throughout 23 games, he was easily the best first year player, but the sample size was too small.
He received one third-place vote, showing at least he has in mind when the votes were filled out.
The 16th overall pick from Duke was initially expected to back up Tylece Maxie and even Kyle Lowry on the 76ers depth chart, but his breakout coincided with the Six’s injured season, and he leaned early early.
He averaged 15.3 points and shot 38.3% from the 3-point range. There was a story that together with him, Joel Embiid could be taken as the center of the Six.
While there’s no doubt that Castle will have a long, productive rookie season, fans are just too familiar with Rookie of the Year, who has stopped him becoming the best player in the draft class.
Scotty Burns won in 2022 and was later passed away by Cade Cunningham, Evan Mobley and Franz Wagner.
Malcolm Brogdon won in 2017, beating perennial All-stars like Jalen Brown, Pascal Siakam and Michael Carter Williams, beating Giannis Antetocomo and Rudy Goatbert.
Roty is an inaccurate science. By earning an MVP, all Hall of Fame careers are surrounded by cement. Derrick Rose will probably be the first MVP to not make holes, and he may still make it.
Rookie of the Year is only 82 games measured, and McCain was “stolen” of the award, but not so important to his future success.