It’s halfway through the season, and the ROTY race is heating up. There are two apparent top dogs, Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, but which has the edge? Let’s take a deeper look at the numbers.
Chet Holmgren and OKC
Chet Holmgren and the OKC Thunder are having a great year with a record of 37-17, putting them second in the Western Conference. Usually, race record doesn’t play a big factor in a rookie of the year, but it could in this race as we move along. As for Chet individually, we are getting a glimpse of what we missed last season. He is currently putting up 16.7 PPG, 7.6 Rebounds, and 2.6 assists, playing 30.6 minutes a game while also being 4th in BPG in the NBA with 2.6.
The big thing with these numbers is Chet’s efficiency from the field, as he currently has a nearly 50-40-80 shooting split. Which is impressive for any NBA player, let alone a rookie. Chet has been a vital part of the Thunder’s hot start to the season on both ends of the floor. He alters shots on the defensive end and is a great third option on this Thunder offense.
Wemby and the Spurs
Now, onto Wemby; while the Spurs are just 11-44, Wemby has shown flashes of what type of player he will be with some experience in this league. He is currently averaging 20.5 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 3.2 Assists per game on 28.4 minutes a night. He is also leading the league in blocks per game with 3.2. While his offensive efficiency has not been great, he’s shooting 46.8 percent from the field and 32.0 percent from deep. His defensive impact cannot be overlooked.
He has received praise for his abilities from many NBA greats, such as Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry, and Kevin Durant. While the Spurs have struggled mightily through the 1st 58 games of this season, Wemby has played exceptionally well because he is a 20-year-old rookie with huge expectations.
Who has the edge for ROTY?
Chet’s advanced numbers and efficiency may look much better than Wemby’s. You have to consider the franchises that both of these guys play for and the supporting cast of these two guys. That said, Chet Holmgren has greatly surprised me throughout this first half-season of NBA basketball with his poise and great skills on both ends of the floor.
I don’t want to discredit how Wemby has played so far. He has shown the ability to alter any shot on the defensive end and score from anywhere on the court. Unfortunately for him, it just has not translated to winning basketball yet for the Spurs. Regardless, he is currently my frontrunner for the ROTY award, and as long as he stays healthy and keeps up this level of play, I think he should win the ROTY award this season.