Three of the Charlotte Hornets' rookies, namely Kon Knueppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, and Sion James, have been bright spots for the team early in the season, and each of them can challenge for a place in the NBA All-Rookie Team. If they can achieve the feat, it will be the first time at least three teammates were voted into either the first or second team in the same year since 1998.
The 1997-98 campaign saw four Cleveland Cavaliers rookies secure All-Rookie nods, with Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Brevin Knight making it to the first team, while Cedric Henderson and Derek Anderson garnered enough votes to break into the second team.
Some might argue that the rookie class that season, which was highlighted by Tim Duncan, may have been weaker than usual. But each of the Cavs' All-Rookie selections was deserving of the accomplishment. By the end of the 1997-98 regular season, only nine first-year pros averaged double-digit scoring, and Ilgauskas, Henderson, and Anderson were three of them. Knight was one point shy of joining the list, but the point guard did record 8.2 assists per game and led the league with 196 total steals.
It also helped the quartet that the Cavs finished with a 47-35 record and the No. 5 seed in the Eastern Conference. Team success likely played a role in the voting panel's decision to put their names on the ballot.
The chances of seeing three All-Rookie selections from the Hornets
The thing is, achieving a similar feat to what the 1997-98 Cavs did might be tough for the Hornets. Knueppel and Kalkbrenner, as long as they maintain their performances, are likely going to be named to any of the All-Rookie teams. It wouldn't even be shocking if both make the first team and Knueppel brings home the Rookie of the Year award.
However, James may have an uphill battle to be considered one of the top 10 rookies this season. After an impressive start to the season, proving worthy of immediately securing a rotation spot in Charlotte and even getting promoted to the starting lineup, his shooting numbers have dipped a bit, and his counting stats have not improved enough to warrant consideration in most Rookie of the Year ladders.
Still, James has an opportunity to show progress in his game and raise his stats, with the Hornets dealing with a myriad of injuries as usual.
But even if he doesn't crack even the All-Rookie Second Team, he, along with Knueppel and Kalkbrenner, is a key reason why the future looks bright for the franchise. Even the struggling Liam McNeeley could eventually take the leap once he gets acclimated to playing in the NBA.