Let's compare apples to apples: rookie season stats--
Mark Jackson has the most assists by a rookie, with 868 assists in 1987-88.
www.statmuse.com
If Isaiah maintains similar production to his last 10 games- for the rest of the season-- he will jump up to about 20th on the list- about even with Magic Johnson. John Stockton is not on this list- because he only played 18 min a game as a rookie. If you adjust his numbers to per/36 min, Stockton had 10.09 in his rookie year. I project Isaiah will end at about 10.01.
Btw... Isaiah's shooting percentages would be better than Stockton's and his points per 36 min would be about the same- if he weren't taking 3 point shots. Stockton only took one 3 pointer every 3 games in his rookie year. Otherwise their stats would be about equal on shooting and points. (That doesn't mean I want him to stop. Stockton only hit 18% of his threes in his rookie year- but finished his career at 38%).
Isaiah is a better rebounder- but Stockton had twice as many steals. Turnovers per 36 min are in Stockton's favor- but not by that much.
As I mentioned in another post-- we should also factor in that Isaiah is getting his numbers on a hard-tanking team- with many of his passes going to G leaguers and cast offs from other teams...
51 games is a small sample size- but if you compare rookie season stats only-- adjusted to per 36 min--- Isaiah is very comparable to John Stockton.
One player on that list was Ennis Whatley who had better adjusted assist numbers than Stockton in his rookie year (11.07). Whatley played in the league 10 years as a back up. So of course that could happen with Isaiah.
But look at the other names on that list. Isaiah's adjusted per min assists in his rookie year will surpass Oscar Robertson, Magic Johnson, Chris Paul, Trae Young and pretty much every other great passer you can name...
If you thought this thread was a ridiculous premise-- the stats say otherwise. Of course no one can predict which players have the drive and determination to keep getting better year after year like Stockton and Malone-- but I sure like Isaiah's demeanor and confidence. He has consistently improved throughout his first season... so I for one am very excited to see how high his ceiling will eventually be!
because he thinks Cy’s take is trash and agrees with him. Lol, can’t make this up
