05-07-2021, 07:30 AM
(05-06-2021, 09:54 PM)DanSchwartzgan Wrote: This scenario reminds me of another rookie brought along slowly but valuable late in the season once upon a time. I just can't put my finger on who/when.
Middleton is an example. 13 minutes total as a rookie prior to the all-star break. 20 minutes a night after the break (17 in March and 24 in April). BTW, he couldn't hit an outside shot as a rookie either (.311 on three's and .438 from the field), but the team was Plus in his floor time his rookie year at age 21. He didn't really become average at PER or WS until his 3rd year.