The preseason debut of the Big Three in the 2025 rookie class: Flagg leads the way, Harper Edgecombe each has his own merits

As the NBA preseason progresses, the 2025 rookies have stepped onto the professional stage. As the top three picks in this year's draft, the performance of No. 1 pick Flagg, No. 2 pick Harper and No. 3 pick Edgcomb has naturally become the focus of attention from fans and the media. After several preseason games, the three young players have shown their own characteristics and potential, which has also made people full of expectations for their NBA careers.

Flagg lived up to his reputation as the top pick, conquering the audience with his all-around performance.

As this year's top pick, Flagg has been carrying huge expectations from the beginning. And his performance in the preseason undoubtedly proved that he is worthy of this title. In the two games he has played, Flagg has averaged 18 minutes per game, contributing 10.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists, 1 steal and 0.5 blocks, with a shooting percentage of 50%.

This 2.06-meter-tall small forward has the same height as LeBron James, and his playing style also shows the shadow of the young James. Flagg is fast, explosive and has a comprehensive style of play. Whether it is scoring, rebounding or assists, he can contribute to the team. What's more worth mentioning is that he also performed well on the defensive end, averaging 1 steal and 0.5 blocks per game, demonstrating his potential on the defensive end.

Of course, as a rookie, Flagg still has areas to improve. Averaging 2.5 turnovers per game shows that he still needs to be more careful with the ball, especially against high-powered defenses. But overall, Flagg's performance in the preseason has exceeded people's expectations, and he is undoubtedly a strong contender for this year's Rookie of the Year.

Harper is showing his talents for the first time, and his mature style of play is surprising.

Compared with Flagg, second overall pick Harper only played one game in the preseason, but this does not prevent him from showing his strength. In 18 minutes of playing time, Harper scored 9 points and 3 assists. Although he had zero rebounds, his overall performance was impressive.

The most impressive thing about Harper is his mature style of play. As a ball-handling core, he has an extremely broad vision and is able to deliver precise passes to his teammates at critical moments. At the same time, he has shown great strength on both offense and defense, and is a true offensive and defensive player.

For Harper, joining the Spurs is undoubtedly an ideal choice. He is expected to form a new combination with Bunyama and Fox. The cooperation of these three people will undoubtedly become one of the most interesting combinations in the league. If Harper can maintain his preseason performance, he may well stand out in the race for Rookie of the Year.

Edgecomb shows a tough guy character, but his shooting ability needs to be improved

Edgecomb, the third overall pick, played two games in the preseason, averaging 27 minutes per game, averaging 12 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, 0.5 steals and 0.5 blocks. Although he shot only 31.8% from the field, the fight he showed during the game was impressive.

Edgecomb dares to play hard and has excellent physical fitness. His style of play is reminiscent of Jimmy Butler. Whether on the offensive or defensive end, he has shown a strong sense of competition and tenacious willpower. The data of 4 rebounds and 4 assists per game also show his potential in rebounding and organizing offense.

However, Edgecombe's shooting ability needs to be improved. A 31.8% field goal percentage is obviously not enough for an NBA player. He needs to work more on his shooting skills. If he can improve his shooting percentage, he will undoubtedly become a more complete player.

The battle for the best rookie is beginning to take shape

Judging from the performance in the preseason, the top three rookies in the 2025 class have shown their own characteristics and potential. Flagg's all-around performance makes him a front-runner for Rookie of the Year, while Harper's mature play and Edgecombe's fighting spirit also make them strong contenders.

Of course, preseason performance cannot completely determine the direction of the regular season. As the season progresses, all three players may encounter different challenges and their performance may fluctuate. But no matter what, these three young players have already left their own footprints on the NBA stage, and their futures are undoubtedly bright.

For fans, it is undoubtedly a very lucky thing to witness the growth and progress of these young players. Whether it's Flagg, Harper or Edgecombe, they all have the potential to become superstars in the league. Let us wait and see how these three young players will perform in the new season.