Shaedon Sharpe could prove a future star for the Portland Trail Blazers. Sharpe’s hot start to end the season, multiple-faceted offensive game, and “Air Alert” hops have blipped him on the map in Portland. With the recent release of the NBA All-Rookie Teams, Blazers fans may feel like he got snubbed from both squads. In today’s article, we’re here to examine whether leaving him off both All-Rookie teams was fair or foul.
Fair
The first thing to consider is his entire body of work. Even though 9.8 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 1.1 assists are solid stats for a rookie, they’re not brain-blowing.
Had he had a higher rebound or assist total, it may have piqued voters’ attention enough to land him on the second team. It would’ve made him look like a more complete player on paper.
Next up, and unfortunately, our topic of discussion, is Portland’s lack of success this year. Had the Blazers posted even a .500 record, it likely would’ve gotten him more attention throughout the regular season.
Third to last in the West, and a sub-35-win year won’t garner attention for a non-Rookie of the Year type player.
Specifically one from a small market team like Portland.
The last thing to consider is his first impression of the NBA. He got hurt in his first summer league game, which could’ve proven an opportunity for him to gain notoriety. Combine this with his non-existent college career, and it feels understandable why he flew under the Halo map.
All these factors contributed to making the draft’s biggest mystery a mystery. And a mystery wasn’t enough to make an All-NBA Team.
Foul
This is the league, and not many people can walk into a gym and score 20 points one time, let alone eight.
His high-caliber scoring and freak athleticism could make his ceiling loftier than other players on this list.
But it’s his end-of-season consistency that gives him an argument to be on the second team.
Once inserted into the starting lineup, he scored 20-plus points in eight out of nine games.
And he did so against playoff-bound teams. In the final nine-game stretch of the year, the Blazers played the Memphis Grizzlies, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and the Golden State Warriors.
Even though some of these defenses are subpar, playing against post-season teams in tune-up mode should prove a confidence boost next season.
For Portland fans, he did something much more important than receiving 36 second-team votes; he gave the city hope.
The mystery man may continue to prove a mystery, but at least now we know his name.
