In this episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, brothers Rafael and James Barlowe dissected some of the most intriguing rookie performances. They kicked things off by breaking down Dalton Knecht's stunning 37-point explosion against the Utah Jazz, raising the question of how he fell to the 17th pick in the 2024 NBA Draft. The brothers explored whether teams might regret passing on Knecht due to concerns about his age. In the second segment, the debate over Stephon Castle’s long-term projection continued, with Rafael and James once again offering differing perspectives on his development. They also highlighted Kyle Filipowski’s unexpected impact, noting how his production has forced the Jazz to carve out minutes for him. Later, they discussed Tidjane Salaun’s breakout performance, marking the best game of his young NBA career. The episode wrapped up with a look at Jared McCain’s continued stellar play, which has positioned him as the early frontrunner for Rookie of the Year. Finally, they discussed Zaccharie Risacher’s bounce-back performance against the Kings, as he shook off a cold streak where he missed 18 of 19 three-point attempts after an earlier game where he drained six triples against the Knicks.

Dalton Knecht - 2:53

Stephon Castle - 12:18

Kyle Filipowski - 16:20

Tidjane Salaun - 23:08

Jared McCain - 26:41

Zaccharie Risacher - 32:49

In the latest episode of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the performances of Ace Bailey and Dylan Harper in their first regular-season game together. Harper, who had a few games under his belt, played alongside Bailey, returning from injury, and the duo's play was under the microscope. The hosts highlighted Bailey's shot-making ability while expressing concerns about his handle in traffic, and praised Harper's relentless rim pressure and finishing in the paint, though they noted his outside shooting remains a work in progress. In the final segment, the Barlowe brothers debated whether this dynamic freshman duo has a legitimate shot at challenging Cooper Flagg for the top spot in the 2025 NBA Draft.

Ace Bailey - 2:20

Dylan Harper - 16:34

Can Bailey or Harper pass Cooper Flagg? - 30:06

In Rookie Watch Vol. 9 of the Locked On NBA Big Board Podcast, hosts Rafael and James Barlowe broke down the weekend’s top rookie performances.

The duo highlighted Jared McCain’s continued rise, showcasing his polished scoring and poise in extended minutes. They also dove into Dalton Knecht’s impressive showing against the Pelicans, where his offensive versatility took center stage. Stephon Castle earned praise for a breakout game against the Lakers, with the hosts analyzing his evolving role and potential to become a steady contributor. Meanwhile, Alex Sarr’s weekend was a mixed bag, though his standout performance vs Atlanta offered a glimpse of his upside. Lastly, they touched on Reed Sheppard’s 12-point outing in mop-up duty during a blowout win over the Bulls, noting it as a small but encouraging step in his NBA journey.

Jared McCain - 2:33

Dalton Knecht - 12:02

Stephon Castle - 20:27

Alex Sarr - 25:39

Reed Sheppard - 28:21