NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 3
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on the performance so far this season.
For the third week in a row, Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard Michael Carter-Williams tops the list.
1. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Carter-Williams has been banged up and missed the last three games with a foot injury, but his performance so far this season keeps him atop the list. Carter-Williams has helped the 76ers reach a 5-6 record (5-3 with Carter-Williams in the lineup). Carter-Williams is averaging 17.4 points, 7.6 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals per game. However, he isn’t without his weaknesses. Shooting was Carter-Williams’ question mark entering the draft and it continues to be. He’s shooting 38.9% from the field and 39.5% from beyond the arc.
2. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
Turnovers continue to plague Oladipo. He had nine turnovers in a 108-100 loss to the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night and is averaging 3.6 turnovers per game. Oladipo has been a good defender and a better offensive player than expected. He’s averaging 11.7 points per game on 38.9% shooting from the field, 37.5% from three and 66.7% from the charity stripe. He’s also averaging 3.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.5 steals per game while only playing 25.5 minutes per game. He’s stuck behind Arron Afflalo, who is having an all-star season.
3. Nate Wolters, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
Wolters continues to play very well as the Bucks are plagued by injuries. He’s getting major minutes (32.2 minutes per game) and is making the most of it, averaging 8.6 points, 5.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game. His poor shooting has been a problem (37.2% from the field) and he’s been awful from three (11.1%) but he’s been very effective as a pure point guard and a distributor.
4. Kelly Olynyk, C, Boston Celtics
Olynyk returns to the list despite a rough week, scoring a total of 14 point over the last three games. However, he did grab 15 rebounds during that span and had his best game on Monday in 120-105 victory over the Magic. Olynyk scored 16 points, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out five assists and blocked a shot while shooting seven-of-nine from the field. On the season, he’s averaging 7.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
5. Steven Adams, C, Oklahoma City Thunder
Adams looked like he was going to continue to rise up the list after scoring 17 points, grabbing 10 rebounds, dishing out three assists and blocking three shots in a 119-110 victory over the Detroit Pistons last week. In four games since then, Adams has scored a total of 13 points and has only attempted 12 total shots. At 20 years old, it’s hard to expect Adams to be consistent, but he looks like he could develop into the solid big man the Thunder need. On the year, he’s averaging 5.3 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game.
In: Olynyk
Out: Ben McLemore (5)