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What are the top rookie seasons in NBA history? Here is our top 10 countdown:
10. Elgin Baylor (1958-1959): 24.9 points (40.8% shooting), 15.0 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game (23.6 PER; 9.8 Win-Shares); Baylor was an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, and Rookie of the Year.
9. Elvin Hayes (1968-1969): 28.4 points (44.7% shooting), 17.1 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game (18.9 PER; 9.6 Win-Shares); Hayes was an All-Star and All-Rookie team selection, and led the league in scoring.
8. David Robinson (1989-1990): 24.3 points (53.1% shooting), 12.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.7 steals, and 3.9 blocks per game (26.3 PER; 15.1 Win-Shares); Robinson was an All-Star, Third Team All-NBA, Second Team All-Defensive, and Rookie of the Year.
7. Tim Duncan (1997-1998): 21.1 points (54.9% shooting), 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 0.7 steals, and 2.5 blocks per game (22.6 PER; 12.8 Win-Shares); Duncan was an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, Second Team All-Defensive, and Rookie of the Year.
6. Michael Jordan (1984-1985): 28.2 points (51.5% shooting), 6.5 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game (25.8 PER; 14.0 Win-Shares); Jordan was an All-Star, Second Team All-NBA, and Rookie of the Year.
5. Wes Unseld (1968-1969): 13.8 points (47.6% shooting), 18.2 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game (18.1 PER; 10.8 Win-Shares); Unseld was an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, Rookie of the Year, and MVP.
4. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (1969-1970): 28.8 points (51.8% shooting), 14.5 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game (22.5 PER; 13.8 Win-Shares); Abdul-Jabbar was an All-Star, Second Team All-NBA, Second Team All-Defensive, and Rookie of the Year.
3. Oscar Robertson (1960-1961): 30.5 points (47.3% shooting), 10.1 rebounds, and 9.7 assists per game (25.9 PER; 13.2 Win-Shares); Robertson was an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, and Rookie of the Year, and led the league in assists.
2. Walt Bellamy (1961-1962): 31.6 points (51.9% shooting), 19.0 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game (26.3 PER; 16.3 Win-Shares); Bellamy was an All-Star and Rookie of the Year, and led the league in shooting percentage.
1. Wilt Chamberlain (1959-1960): 37.6 points (46.1% shooting), 27.0 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game (28.0 PER; 17.0 Win-Shares); Chamberlain was an All-Star, First Team All-NBA, Rookie of the Year, and MVP, and led the league in both scoring and rebounding.
Agree/Disagree? As always, debate/discuss, and leave your thoughts and comments below.
Note: All statistics as of time of publication.
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Countdown 54: Top 10 Rookie Seasons in MLB History (Pitchers)
