NBA: Predicting rookie leaders for each statistical category in 2018-19

By Colin Cann | Jul 4, 2018

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 21: Marvin Bagley III poses with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver after being drafted second overall by the Sacramento Kings during the 2018 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center on June 21, 2018 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. 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. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

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Field Goal Percentage

(Honorable Mentions: Mitchell Robinson, Mo Bamba, Deandre Ayton)

Robert Williams, Boston Celtics

Yes, a bunch of big men who do most of their damage near the basket. Very shocking. Hope you didn’t expect to see Trae Young in another Honorable mention category. Field goal percentage has long been dominated by bigs, this won’t change anytime soon.

Robert Williams has the opportunity to outshine all other bigs, when it comes to field goal percentage anyways. Playing on a contending team he’ll have multiple teammates drawing the attention of opposing defenders. Leaving him wide open to do what he does best, cut to the rim and finish lob passes.

Vertical spacing is a term you hear commonly describing frontcourt players, Williams provides plenty of that. Although a little undersized at 6-foot-9, he sports a massive 7-foot-6 wingspan. Paired with his superb athleticism this allows him to finish strong at the rim. He won’t be asked to do much else for the Celtics on the offensive end, which should allow him to shoot a very high percentage from the floor.

Mitchell Robinson will fill a similar role for the Knicks. Although with Enes Kanter possibly testing free agency and Kyle O’Quinn reportedly on the trade block, he may be thrust into a larger role.

Mo Bamba and DeAndre Ayton do most of their damage around the basket, but they will be asked to shoot from distance as well. Ayton, and to a lesser extent, Bamba will also be tasked without creating their own offense. Robinson and Williams will likely not be asked to do either for their respective teams.

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