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[QUOTE="Capt. Tuttle, post: 5561519, member: 191"]
2 (minor) issues:  a coach needs to put his best team on the floor, not just the best players. (See Dion Waiters and MCW)   Also, 2 games against inferior opponents does not prove that KA is currently a better player than JJ.

From CHAT GPT

College Freshmen Who Rode the Bench Behind Veterans — and Became Legit NBA Players

1. Russell Westbrook — UCLA

Why he sat: Arron Afflalo was a junior All-American and defensive monster.

Westbrook’s role: Freshman backup point/defensive sub.

NBA outcome: MVP, triple-double factory, Hall of Famer.

One of the biggest “how the hell did THAT guy come off the bench?” cases ever.

2. Paul George — Fresno State

Why he sat: Upperclassmen wings were entrenched.

Freshman role: Rotational scorer, didn’t start until later.

NBA outcome: Multiple-time All-NBA, MVP finalist.

3. Kemba Walker — UConn

Why he sat: A.J. Price was the veteran PG.

Freshman role: Electric bench guard.

NBA outcome: 4× All-Star, All-NBA, NCAA champion.

Classic case of a freshman who would’ve been a superstar starter at 95% of other schools.

4. C.J. McCollum — Lehigh

Why he sat (initially): Lehigh had senior guards; he broke through late.

Freshman role: Began as a bench/low-minute guard.

NBA outcome: Elite scorer, borderline All-Star.

5. Kawhi Leonard — San Diego State

Why he sat early: Senior wings dominated minutes.

Freshman role: Came off the bench early before breaking out.

NBA outcome: 2× Finals MVP.

He was a late-bloomer with big talent.

6. Damian Lillard — Weber State

Why he sat: Veteran backcourt ahead of him.

Freshman role: Rotational guard before becoming starter as a sophomore.

NBA outcome: Multiple-time All-NBA, one of best PGs of the era.

7. Tyrese Haliburton — Iowa State

Why he sat: Upperclass guards got the minutes early.

Freshman role: Bench energy guy.

NBA outcome: All-NBA-level point guard.

8. Donovan Mitchell — Louisville

Why he sat: Upperclassmen dominated guard minutes.

Freshman role: Raw athlete, bench player.

NBA outcome: Multi-time All-Star, elite NBA scorer.

9. Fred VanVleet — Wichita State

Why he sat: Behind Malcolm Armstead, an experienced senior PG.

Freshman role: Came in as a backup PG and spark plug.

NBA outcome: NBA All-Star, champion, $100M+ contract.

An all-time late bloomer.

10. Josh Hart — Villanova

Why he sat: Senior wings locked in, deep rotation.

Freshman role: 6th man on a loaded team.

NBA outcome: Long-term NBA starter/glue guy.

11. Steph Curry — Davidson

Why he sat (early): Coaches thought he was too skinny and turnover-prone; veterans were safer.

Freshman role: Didn’t start the first game; played limited early minutes.

NBA outcome: Only the greatest shooter ever. Easy mistake!

12. Draymond Green — Michigan State

Why he sat: Senior-laden frontcourt (Goran Suton, Marquise Gray).

Freshman role: Bench energy forward.

NBA outcome: 4× champion, DPOY, Hall of Fame lock.

13. Devin Booker — Kentucky

Why he sat: A platoon system + stacked juniors/sophomores.

Freshman role: 6th man, 21 minutes a game.

NBA outcome: Perennial All-Star, NBA champion.

Would’ve been a 20 ppg freshman on any normal roster.
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