NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 2
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on the performance so far this season.
Last week, Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard Michael Carter-Williams and Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo held the top two spots. Nothing’s changed.
Boston’s big man duo of Vitor Faverani and Kelly Olynyk have fallen out of the top five.
1. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Carter-Williams continues to impress. The Syracuse product is averaging 18.7 points, 8.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. Carter-Williams is shooting just 40.9% from the field, but he’s shot an impressive and unexpected 41.7% from beyond the arc. Although the 76ers have slipped, losing three of their last four games, their 4-3 record is still one of the biggest surprises in the league. Carter-Williams’ ability to simply make the right play has also helped his teammates – guard Evan Turner scored a career-high 31 point in a 127-125 double overtime loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers Saturday night.
2. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
Oladipo is having trouble finding minutes behind a couple of veterans, Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson. Oladipo is spending time at both guard spots, but Afflalo is having an excellent season as both a scorer and a playmaker, limiting Oladipo to 25.4 minutes per game (he hasn’t played more than 23 minutes this week). However, the former Indiana Hoosier is still making things happen. His quick hands and insane athleticism have made him tough on defense. Oladipo is averaging 11.5 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
3. Nate Wolters, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
Wolters makes the move from five to three this week. His problem early on was his shooting, but he’s doing a much better job getting the ball in the basket, shooting 41.4% from the floor in four November games (as opposed to 36.6% on the season). He has not been good from three (18.2%) but has still managed to score 8.8 points per game. He’s also dishing out 6.2 assists and pulling down 3.6 rebounds per game
4. Steven Adams, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Adams makes his debut on the list this week. The New Zealand native is averaging 7.0 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in only 20.2 minutes per game. He has emerged as legitimate option behind Serge Ibaka and company up front and is giving the Thunder the option to play a very big lineup should they choose to do so. Adams is coming off his best game, a 17-point, 10-rebound, three-block, three-assist performance in a 119-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons Friday night.
5. Ben McLemore, G, Sacramento Kings
McLemore has a couple of excellent games (19 points against the Warriors and 15 points Hawks, but was held to a combined 2 points in losses to the Clippers and Blazers). On the season, the seventh overall pick of the draft is averaging 8.8 points and 2.3 rebounds per game. He’s shooting 43.5% from the floor and 41.7% from the beyond the arc, good numbers for a rookie. He needs to work on being more aggressive and getting to the basket – he’s only averaging one free throw attempt per game.
In: Adams, McLemore
Out: Vitor Faverani (3), Kelly Olynyk (4)