NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 13
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on their performance so far this season.
There were no changes at the top this week as Philadelphia 76ers point guard Michael Carter-Williams and Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo excelled while Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke had some struggles. Pero Antic climbs into the rankings at 4.
1. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
In a 107-99 loss to the Washington Wizards, Carter-Williams kept the 76ers in the game, exploding for 31 points, six rebounds and five assists. On Wednesday, in a 110-106 victory over the New York Knicks, Carter-Williams struggled to find his groove, shooting five-of-18 from the field. To compensate, he got to the free throw line 10 times, hitting seven, grabbed 12 rebounds, dished out seven assists and had two steals. The 76ers got back to work on Friday, falling to the Toronto Raptors 104-95. Carter-Williams had 19 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals. The 76ers played host the Oklahoma City Thunder Saturday night and lost 103-91 in Kevin Durant’s return to the court. Carter-Williams had a terrible day, scoring eight points on four-of-13 shooting. On the season, the Rookie of the Year favorite is averaging 17.3 points, 6.5 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game.
2. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
Oladipo’s week got off to a tough start. The former Indiana Hoosier had 10 points on three-of-nine shooting, grabbed six rebounds, dished out five assists and had two steals as the Magic were blown out by the Brooklyn Nets 101-90 Tuesday night. A day later, the Magic returned home and rallied from a 19-point deficit to take a late lead before falling to the Atlanta Hawks 112-109. Oladipo was a big reason for the rally. He scored 24 points on eight-of-13 shooting, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out seven assists, had two steals and blocked a shot. In a 114-105 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday night, Oladipo hit just five of his 14 shots, but scored 15 points, grabbed 12 boards, dished out five assists, recorded two steals and blocked a shot. Oladipo’s Magic were back in action Sunday. In the Magic’s 100-92 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans Sunday, Oladipo had 18 points and five steals. On the year, he’s averaging 13.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
3. Trey Burke, PG, Utah Jazz
Burke’s Jazz were blown out by the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second consecutive game Tuesday night. In the 112-97 loss, Burke had just nine points and five assists and went just four-of-10 from the field. Burke’s Jazz hosted the Washington Wizards Saturday night. The Jazz defeated the Wizards 104-101. Burke played a big role, finishing with 12 points, eight assists and three rebounds. He’s not averaging 13.5 points, 5.7 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
4. Pero Antic, C, Atlanta Hawks
Despite suffering a stress fracture in his ankle that will keep him out for the next two-to-four weeks (and will probably keep him off of this list over the next few) weeks, Antic’s first two games of the week deserve to be recognized. In a 121-114 victory over the Miami Heat Monday evening, Antic scored 17 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished out three assists in just 25 minutes. He shot seven-of-10 from the field. Two days later, Antic struggled from the field, shooting two-of-nine, in a 112-109 victory over the Orlando Magic. Antic did, however, still manage to score 10 points and pull down 12 rebounds. He’s averaging 5.8 points and 3.4 rebounds per game this season.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo continues to have an up-and-down season. On Wednesday, in a 104-101 win over the Detroit Pistons, he scored just four points on one-of-three shooting to go with five rebounds and three assists. Two days later, the Bucks fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers 93-78. Antetokounmpo scored 10 points on three-of-five shooting, including two-of-three shooting from beyond the arc, grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and had two steals. The Bucks were blown out by the Hawks Saturday night 112-87. Antetokounmpo played 25 minutes and scored five points on two-of-six shooting. On the seasons, Antetokounmpo is averaging 7.0 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game.
In: – Antic
Out: – Tim Hardaway, Jr., G, New York Knicks