Since 2007-08 the NBA has done a rookie survey to get the thoughts of the incoming class on their various classmates. This year’s survey is out, and even though they drafted late (for reasons we will not discuss again today) the Denver Nuggets still have some representation and goodwill coming from their fellow rookies.
Tyler Lydon hung his hat on his shooting and fine form in college, and was recognized for it. He tied for fourth in the Best Shooter category with Kyle Kuzma behind Luke Kennard, Malik Monk and Terrance Ferguson. For reference, Jamal Murray placed second in the voting last year as Denver continues to add guys with outside game to help spread the floor. Lydon’s role is likely to be light this year with the Nuggets, spending most of his playing time in the G League, but since his role in the next couple of seasons should be as a stretch big providing instant offense off the bench it’s nice that his compatriots think he can fill that role.
Monte Morris was a bit of a surprise as he showed up receiving votes in the Biggest Steal category that Jazz selection Donovan Mitchell won. Morris was unranked (they only listed the top 8) but at least one player thought Morris deserved to go much higher. That squares with Denver’s thoughts on draft night about the former Iowa State point guard:
"Monte Morris, we were shocked that he was there … a pure point guard, which is a really dying breed of player," said Tim Connelly, the Nuggets' president of basketball operations. "A floor general … an attacking style guard, who will make others around him better."
These rookie surveys aren’t the most predictive – they’ve only gotten the rookie of the year right once since their inception, so Dennis Smith Jr. shouldn’t buy a display case for his award just yet – but it’s still interesting to see what their peers think of them. The rest of the NBA will form their own impressions in just a couple of months.
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