NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 19
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on their performance so far this season.
This week, Philadelphia 76ers’ point guard Michael Carter-Williams nearly took back the top spot form Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo after Oladipo sat out two games.
1. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
Oladipo did not play this week after injuring his ankle, missing games against the Houston Rockets and San Antonio Spurs, both Magic losses. On the season, he is averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
2. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
In another blowout loss Tuesday, this time a 125-92 defeat at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Carter-Williams had 14 points, five assists, four rebounds and two steals, but had another tough shooting night, going just four-of-12 from the field. Things were even worse when the 76ers hosted the Jazz Saturday night. Carter-Williams shot just two-of-13 from the field and scored four points, but did have nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals in the 104-92 loss. He’s now averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 5.4 rebounds and 2.0 steals per game.
3. Trey Burke, PG, Utah Jazz
Burke had another rough week for the Jazz. In a 114-88 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Monday, he had just seven points on two-of-seven shooting, five assists and three rebounds. Two days later, the Jazz lost to the Washington Wizards 104-91. Burke had 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, but shot just five-of-14 from the field. It got worse Friday when Burke scored four points, dished out four assists, grabbed four rebounds and shot only two-of-12 from the field in a 108-81 loss to the New York Knicks. One night later, the Jazz took on the Philadelphia 76ers. In the 104-92 win, Burke had seven points on two-0f-nine shooting, eight assists and four rebounds. On the season, he’s averaging 12.2 points, 5.4 assists and 3.2 rebounds per game.
4. Tim Hardaway, Jr. G, New York Knicks
Hardaway continued the trend of rookie struggles this week. He was held scoreless on 0-of-six shooting in a 96-85 loss to the Detroit Pistons Monday. The Knicks got a win Wednesday, defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 118-106 and Hardaway scored 11 points on four-of-10 shooting. In Friday’s 108-81 defeat of the Utah Jazz, Hardaway struggled again, scoring just five points on two-of-11 shooting. One night later, the Knicks traveled to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers. Hardaway again scored just five points and shot just two-of-six from the field in 15 minutes. He’s averaging 9.5 points and 1.5 rebounds per game this season.
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, G, Milwaukee Bucks
Charlotte Bobcats’ big man Cody Zeller is threatening to take Antetokounmpo’s place on the list after scoring in double figures in four straight games before putting up just seven points in a 101-92 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night.
Instead, Antetokounmpo barely hangs on to the final spot because of his overall body of work despite his struggles this week.
He got off to a good start, putting up eight points, four rebounds, three assists and a block in a 114-88 victory over the Utah Jazz, but was nearly invisible in a 116-102 loss to the Sacramento Kings Wednesday and 112-104 defeat at the hands of the New Orleans Pelicans Friday. In those games, Antetokounmpo had a total of seven points on three-of-10 shooting in just 38 minutes. It didn’t get much better Saturday when Antetokounmpo had just four points, two rebounds and one assist in a 114-107 loss to the Washington Wizards. On the year, Antetokounmpo is putting up 7.1 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game.