NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 7
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on the performance so far this season.
For the first time since this power poll started, the Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard has been dethroned.
1. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
If Carter-Williams were still in the lineup, this would probably not be the case. However, Carter-Williams has been unable to play for health reasons and Oladipo continues to improve. After scoring just eight, 10 and 10 points in his first three games this week, Oladipo exploded for 26 points on nine-of-13 shooting in a 109-100 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday night. He has done a much better job of limiting turnovers and outside of a two-of-11 shooting night in a 98-88 loss to the Houston Rockets last Sunday, he’s been efficient. Oladipo is averaging 14.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game.
2. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Carter-Williams has now missed the last five games because of the infection in his knee and the 76ers say they will not take a chance putting him on the court until his knee and is healthy and the infection is 100% healed. With 76ers in no hurry to win (they dropped to 7-18 with a 139-105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers Saturday night), there is no reason to take any chances with a talent like Williams. He’s averaging 17.7 points, 7.3 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 3.1 steals per game.
3. Trey Burke, PG, Utah Jazz
Burke continues to impress since returning from his offseason injury. In four games this week, Burke scored 15 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out five assists in a 105-94 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, had 11 points and nine assists in a 122-101 win over the Sacramento Kings, had a double-double (10 points, 10 assists) in a 103-93 win over the Denver Nuggets and 20 points and five assists in a 100-84 loss to the San Antonio Spurs. He’s now averaging 13.1 points, 5.0 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game.
4. Ben McLemore, SG, Sacramento Kings
Like many of the other rookies, it was not a good week for McLemore. He was excellent last week, even posting a 20-point game in a 106-100 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on December 6. This week, the former Kansas Jayhawk took a step back. He scored a total of eight points, and shot three-of-21 (14.3%) from the field in three games, a 112-97 victory over the Dallas Mavericks, a 122-101 loss to the Utah Jazz and a 116-107 loss to the Phoenix Suns. McLemore is now averaging 9.1 points and 3.2 rebound per game.
5. Nate Wolters, PG, Milwaukee Bucks
Wolters, like any rookie, lacks consistency. After scoring 18 points in a 109-77 loss to the San Antonio Spurs Wednesday, he scored just five points in a 91-90 loss to the Chicago Bulls Friday and four points in a blowout loss to the Dallas Mavericks Saturday. Overall, the 38th overall pick of the draft has still had a good rookie season. He’s averaging 7.2 points, 4.2 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game. Oklahoma City Thunder Steven Adams had a poor a week, which is why Wolters returns. However, a staple of this list early, Boston Celtics’ big man Kelly Olynyk, returned to action on Friday, scoring four points and grabbing four rebounds in just 14 minutes, so Wolters will have to improve to remain in this spot.
In: Nate Wolters
Out: Steven Adams