The year 2024 NBA draft class had low expectations heading into the 2024-25 campaign, but at times felt the hate he was getting was extreme. Sure, the class lacked the version of Victor Wembanyama, Paolo Banchero and Zion Williamson, but it couldn’t be that bad, right?

Not all draft classes get a ton of hype. For example, the 2013 NBA Draft, which saw Anthony Bennett selected No. 1 overall, was seen as a bad class. Well, Victor Oladipo was a two-time All-Star, CJ McCollum averaged nearly 20 points per game in his career, and oh yeah, Giannis Antetokoumpo is a future Hall of Famer. He was taken with the No. 1 overall pick. 15, failing to be drafted in the lottery of what was generally considered a bad class. The class still hasn’t aged wonderfully, but it hasn’t aged terribly either.

It’s only been a few games for the rookie class of 2024, but the early returns have proven the haters right. Its river.

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Monday’s match between Atlanta Hawks and Washington Wizards featured Zaccharie Risacher and Alex Sarr, the first two picks in the draft. They combined to go 4-for-19 from the field and 2-for-9 from 3-point range. Unfortunately, it was par for the course for these two and the other beginners so far.

The only lottery pick who has played well so far is Donovan Clingan, who was selected with the no. 7 overall by the Portland Trail Blazers. While encouraging, he averaged just 13.6 minutes per game serving as Deandre Ayton’s backup center.

The guards and forwards who were drafted early were extremely ineffective and saw their minutes limited mostly because of it. Even a big man like Zach Edey has more personal fouls (15) than field goals (14) despite high expectations as a starter for the Memphis Grizzlies and was ineffective given his game.

Even players like Tidjane Salaun and Rob Dillingham, two top eight picks, barely saw the floor. Dillingham didn’t even make an appearance for the Minnesota Timberwolves despite having a tremendous preseason. Salaun doesn’t appear at all on a bad Charlotte Hornets team with low expectations despite being taken with the No. 1 overall pick. 6 is shocking.

It’s early and the class will look better (it can’t look worse), but the fact that no one has stood out so far is pretty crazy. It will get better, but if the early returns are any indication, this class really was that river.