NBA: 5 rookies that have stood out during the first week of preseason

Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans

The greatest phenomenon to enter the league since LeBron James has lived up to the hype through his first three games. Zion Williamson is going to be a bonafide star in this league.

In three games, Zion has averaged 23.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, while shooting 71 percent from the field, in a mere 26 minutes.

He’s not just looking for buckets, he’s looking for highlight plays. It’s readily apparent that he’s a tough cover for the majority of players in the NBA. His feel around the basket makes it easy for his teammates to find him around the rim leading to the score.

His isolation play is better than most expected, he has an underrated dribble that has proved to be effective in preseason thus far. In addition, his first step quickness leaves defenders in the dust when he’s attacking the rim. Possessing that blend of size and speed makes him comparable to a freight train when he drives towards the paint – similar to LeBron James.

In three games he’s already shown his ability to bully defenders in the paint. Williamson is listed at 6-foot-6 and weighs 285 pounds, making him the second heaviest player in the NBA(Boban Marjanovic). That combination of power and quickness will lead to a ton of emphatic dunks and Shaq-like play down low.

I’d say his game has transitioned extremely well from college to the pros.

Zion Williamson has already asserted his dominance into this league and proved to be a generational talent. The Pelicans will be an exciting team this year.

Zion’s fit with the Pelicans will be seamless. They ranked first in the league a season ago in pace, led by Alvin Gentry. Now, the Pelicans posses even more talent and a myriad of young athletes with the ability to run. For Williamson, this will lead to numerous highlights plays.

Michael Porter Jr., Jordan Poole, Coby White, R.J Barrett, and Zion Williamson, have all adjusted well with their new roles in the NBA. I’d say that these select rookies have looked relatively impressive after being considered the weakest draft class in years.

Nonetheless, the season tips-off Oct. 22nd and we’ll discover which rookie will continue their play into the regular season.