In the landscape of Facebook Philippines, the top NBA Rookies of April 2021 have been checked by Blueprint.Ph through big data analytics.
On the first spot and still reigning, is Lamelo Ball of the Charlotte Hornets. Ball has an engagement score of 8,254 from 168 posts for April. The 3rd overall pick came back to play and was slotted straight back into the starting lineup. He recovered a wrist injury that had sidelined him for 21 games. His absence was felt once the Hornets dropped down to a losing record (33-35). The below photo post from Clutch Basketball is the top post on Lamelo Ball, with an engagement score of 1,928.
At second place is James Wiseman of the Golden State Warriors. Wiseman has an engagement score of 8051.66 for 243 posts. The 20-year old has been ruled out of the season due to an injury but is continuing his development. It is clear that Wiseman has time to develop as he has the right skill sets to survive in the NBA and being able to pull up and shoot. Top post for James Wiseman is from the Facebook Page Warrior Nation:
On third place with an engagement score of 7641 from 277 posts is the first overall pick of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Anthony Edwards. Due to Lamelo being sidelined, he is clear-cut to be a Rookie of the Year candidate. He averages 19 points per game, however, low on field goal percentage (41%). His dunk on Yuta Watanabe was claimed to be the “Dunk of the Year” and social media surely loved that. The top post on Anthony Edwards is from NBA Buzz:
Immanuel Quickley of the New York Knicks takes the fourth spot, with an engagement score of 4194 out of only 22 posts. Quickley, a late lottery draft pick is considered by many as a steal, is the current spark plug off the bench of the Knicks. With MSG having to watch years of Elfrid Payton at point guard, they look to develop Quickley into the next John Starks. Top post for Immanuel Quickly is from NBA Buzz:
At fifth place is Tyrese Haliburton of the Sacramento Kings, with an engagement score of 2,219 from 47 posts. Haliburton has been playing lights out at Sacramento, with doubts if his jumpshot would transition to the league. He has been offloading the shooting struggles of Buddy Hield. He has been the 2nd in the running of ROY until he got injured when he badly landed his leg in 1 game. The post with highest engagement on Tyrese Haliburton was from NBA Buzz:
Cole Anthony of the Orlando Magic, is on sixth spot with an engagement score of 1,616 from 33 posts. Originally touted as the best player in high school class, he has been one of the go-to clutch shotmakers of the Orlando Magic, with him claiming in an interview that he was born to do this after hitting a game winner. The mamba mentality is seen in his words, and his actions how that he is not afraid of the spotlight and ready to be a part of this young, raw Orlando Magic team.
On seventh place with an engagement score of 1,420 from 48 posts, is Deni Avdija of the Washington Wizards. He has been out for the season due to a knee injury and will take months for him to recover. However, he has shown glimpses in his game that he can take it to the next level. Coming from Israel, Avdija aims to be a part of the new line of European greats currently playing in the NBA such as Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic.
Payton Pritchard of the Boston Celtics, is on the eighth spot with an engagement score of 1,248 from 38 posts. He is prolific scorer with an average of over 20 points in his last season with Oregon. He has put out multiple 20-point game performances in a Celtic uniform and is looking like another steal by Danny Ainge. He looks to offload some of the offensive woes of Kemba Walker who is still recovering from a knee injury. He has averaged a little over 10 points per game and can drive and make plays at the same time.
In ninth place, with an engagement score of 1,069 from 34 posts, is Patrick Williams of the Chicago Bulls. The 4th pick has shown glimpses of him being lauded as the “baby Kawhi” of the draft with him still being relatively raw. He can shoot from the perimeter, get rebounds and drive.
Finally at 10th place is Theo Maledon (engagement score 658 from 29 posts), dethroning Nico Mannion who formerly held the 10th spot. Drafted by the Oklahoma City Thunder, Maledon has stepped up after the absence of Shai-Gilgeous Alexander, their talismanic point guard who has been sidelined by a foot injury. He has offloaded some of the scoring woes of the Thunder, who have been consistently outscored by almost every team they play and are playing to get higher draft picks. They look to develop this young core with their potential being over the roof.