Marvin Bagley III Can Beat Out Luka Doncic For Rookie Of The Year
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Can Marvin Bagley III win the Rookie of The Year Award over Luka Doncic? It’s been a sure thing that Doncic was going to win the award since the season started. Bagley has been sensational over the month of February. It’s not out of the realm of possibility Bagley steals a few votes.
We’ve seen some great basketball out of Doncic. The Dallas Mavericks star has averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists for the season. He’s the odds on favorite to win the coveted ROY trophy. Although, Doncic won’t be leading his team to the playoffs.
Without Bagley, the Sacramento Kings aren’t in the playoff hunt right now. His month of February has been extraordinary. He’s averaged 18.4 points, 9.7 rebounds, and has a .492 FG percentage. Doncic’s numbers look rather identical. It’s their respective team’s record that will play a huge role in the selection process.
Sacramento could make it as high as the 6th seed in the West. Nobody expected that going into the season. Bagley, who took some time to get adjusted to the NBA, has looked like the Kings best player on some nights. The Kings are a playoff caliber team and the Mavericks aren’t. This plays into Bagley’s favor.
Of all the NBA rookies this season, Marvin Bagley is the only player in the top-five of the scoring race to be in playoff contention. Bagley is also in the top-3 of rookie rebounders and is tied for 2nd among rookies in offensive rebounding. Again, none of the rebounders in the top-5 are on a playoff team.
It’s worth mentioning Bagley has done all of this coming off the bench. He got his first start on February 25th. He scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and blocked 2 shots in that game. It’s astounding to think of what Bagley could have done had he been given the starting role earlier.
If the Kings make the playoffs behind Bagley’s impressive rookie rebounding and scoring averages, he must be considered a favorite for ROY. It’s rare you find a rookie who plays such a significant role on a playoff team. Bagley has done just that, and it can’t be overlooked.
Marvin Bagley III has embraced the winning culture in Sacramento. He’s not the favorite to win ROY right now, as Luka will still be viewed by some as the clear winner. There’s just so much evidence pointing to Bagley getting some serious love come voting time. Don’t count Bagley out, we’ve still yet to see him display his full potential.
Daniel is a guru of baseball and basketball prospects. He’s a very experienced Amusement Park traveler as well. Follow him and his hot takes on Insta @dgentleman9288
