In Rookie Watch Volume 6 of the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe dive into recent performances from the league’s standout rookies.

Kicking things off, they spotlight Alex Sarr’s impressive showing against the Miami Heat, where Sarr’s poise and defensive presence turned heads.

They then shift focus to Jared McCain, who exploded for a career-high performance against the Memphis Grizzlies, and discuss Zach Edey’s first career double-double, showcasing his rebounding and scoring impact.

The second segment hones in on Reed Sheppard, as Rafael passionately advocates to “Free Reed Sheppard!” – promising to push this campaign until Sheppard gets more minutes. With veteran Fred Van Vleet struggling from the field, shooting only 28%, Rafael questions what more Sheppard needs to do to prove he deserves a bigger role.

Finally, in the last segment, the Barlowe brothers discuss Jaylen Wells, making the case that he should replace Marcus Smart in the Grizzlies’ starting lineup. They believe Smart could be a better fit in Milwaukee, where his skills might add a needed spark.

Alex Sarr - 1:54

Zaccharie Risacher - 8:18

Jared McCain - 12:48

Zach Edey - 15:16

Reed Sheppard - 16:30

Jaylen Wells - 26:40

In Rookie Watch Vol. 5 on the Locked On NBA Big Board podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe dig into the early ups and downs of this season’s rookie class. They kick off with No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher, dissecting his recent shooting woes after a tough 1-9 night against the Kings. Rafael points out that despite getting open looks courtesy of Trae Young, Risacher has struggled to convert, shooting just 25% on catch-and-shoot jumpers and an eye-catching 36% on layups.

The duo then highlights Tristan da Silva’s efficient 17-point effort, where he took advantage of added minutes with Paolo Banchero out. Ron Holland’s shot consistency is another talking point, with Holland scoring efficiently in the paint (77.8%) but hitting only 1-11 on jumpers.

The brothers also dive into Tidjane Salaun’s confident shot selection, Donovan Clingan’s potential as a rebounding force with more minutes, and round out the episode with insights on rookies Yves Missi, AJay Mitchell, Dillon Jones, Ja’Kobe Walter’s NBA debut, and the Raptors’ intriguing rookie class.

Zaccharie Risacher - 2:03

Keaton Wallace - 8:21

Tristan da Silva - 11:12

Tristan da Silva - 12:32

Ron Holland - 15:43

Tidjane Salaun - 23:25

Donovan Clingan - 28:16

Yves Missi - 31:26

OKC Rookies - 33:46

Ja’Kobe Walter - 34:41

In the latest episode of Locked On NBA Big Board - Rookie Watch Vol. 4, Rafael and James Barlowe dive deep into the recent developments among this season’s NBA rookies.

The Barlowe brothers kick things off by spotlighting Ryan Dunn’s surprising emergence as a three-point threat. Rafael and James discuss Dunn’s reputation as a shaky shooter in college and debate if this shooting leap could have made him a legitimate contender for the No. 1 pick had it shown up earlier in his game.

In the second segment, the attention shifts to Jaylen Wells, who impressed with a solid first start, putting up 16 points and 7 boards. James argues that Wells might deserve the starting spot permanently, potentially even taking minutes from Marcus Smart, who’s struggled to settle in.

The conversation then moves to Zach Edey, along with some praise for Kyle Filipowski’s recent strong play over the last two games. Rafael points out that Filipowski’s minutes hinge on his ability to perform consistently. By contrast, Rafael notes that Cody Williams, another Jazz rookie, will likely get developmental minutes to gain experience despite a slower start and some noticeable hesitancy.

To wrap up, they cover Stephon Castle’s recent game and the challenges Reed Sheppard faces in finding minutes. With Fred Van Vleet logging heavy playing time at 37 minutes per game, Sheppard’s path to consistent floor time remains crowded.

Ryan Dunn - 2:25

Could Ryan Dunn have been the No. 1 pick if he showed this type of shooting and offensive confidence in college? - 5:39

Jaylen Wells - 11:25

Should Wells be the starter going forward? - 12:14

What did NBA teams miss on Jaylen Wells? - 16:07

Zach Edey - 20:24

Kyle Filipowski - 24:08

Cody Williams - 25:47

Kyle Filipowski making most of his opportunity - 28:08

Stephon Castle - 31:59

Reed Sheppard - 32:46

Rookie of the Night - 34:15