Since the best players in the Draft are in theory reserved for “lottery teams”, it is rare for rookies to play an important role in an NBA final. Except when these same “lottery teams” transfer their choice to a better ranked team, or surprise everyone by reaching the Finals. This is the case for Dallas this season, which went from “lottery team” status to that of finalist. Like the Suns in 2021 or the Warriors in 2022, but also the Celtics in 2008 and the Nets in 2002.
This year, a rookie can become NBA champion by being an important element of his team's rotation, it is Derek Lively II, who averages 8.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 22 minutes in these playoffs. . In the history of the NBA, rookies have done much better.
Magic Johnson, the only rookie MVP of the Finals
Obviously starting with Magic Johnson. In 1980, the 1st pick of the 1979 Draft became the first and only rookie to be elected MVP of the Finals with 21.5 points, 11.2 rebounds, 8.7 assists and 2.7 steals on average. His Game 6, in which he played pivot to replace Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, is one of the greatest exploits in history: 42 points, 15 rebounds and 7 assists to win the title.
A few decades earlier, in a much less populated NBA, Bill Russell won the title with the Celtics in 1957 with an average of 13.3 points and 22.9 rebounds in the Finals as a rookie. Two years later, it is Elgin Baylor who participates in the Finals with the Minneapolis Lakers. “Rookie Of The Year”, he then averaged 22.8 points and 11.8 rebounds in the final. Same fate in 1976 for Alvin Adams with the Suns. “Rookie Of The Year”, he lost to the Celtics in the NBA final.
Manu Ginobili, NBA champion in his first year
Closer to us, we obviously remember Richard Dumas, second round of Suns Draft. Against the Bulls, in one of the most beautiful finals in history, he averaged 15.8 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, alongside Charles Barkley. One year later, Sam Cassell does better with the Rockets. Coming off the bench, the leader averaged 10 points and 3 assists during the title won 4-3 against the Knicks in 1994.
Still in Texas, in 2003, a certain Manu Ginobili begins his NBA career with a title. In the final, the Argentinian averaged 8.7 points and 4.5 rebounds against the Nets.
Even more recently, it's difficult not to mention the duo of Heat rookies in 2020. In the “bubble”, Tyler Herro And Kendrick Nunn will reveal themselves with respectively 14.7 points and 10.5 points per game in the final against the Lakers. At the time, Kendrick Nunn was selected to the First All-Rookie Team, while Tyler Herro was selected to the Second All-Rookie Team. Four years later, Kendrick Nunn has just won the Euroleague.
