NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 20
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on their performance so far this season.
This week, we have a couple of big changes.
New York Knicks’ guard Tim Hardaway, Jr. has been consistently outperforming Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke, so they have switched places on the list, although both players had excellent weeks.
Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo has fallen off of the list in favor of Atlanta Haws’ big man Pero Antic. Antic, who is healthy again, barely nudged out Kelly Olynyk of the Boston Celtics. Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyn Nets and Cody Zeller of the Charlotte Bobcats are also in the mix.
1. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
After missing two games, Oladipo returned to the court and had a solid week for the Magic. In a 105-98 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks Monday, the former Indiana Hoosiers’ star scored 12 points on five-of-six shooting, dished out four assists and grabbed just three rebounds in only 19 minutes. Two days later, the Magic blew a double digit lead in a 120-112 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Oladipo shot just five-of-12 from the field, but had 15 points, four rebounds and three assists. Two days later, the Magic fell again, this time in a 105-101 overtime loss to the Washington Wizards. Oladipo was aggressive, scoring 15 points on seven-of-15 shooting to go with six assists and three rebounds. On the season, Oladipo is averaging 13.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
2. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Carter-Williams was up and down this week, but put together two very efficient games. In a 123-110 loss to the New York Knicks on Monday, Carter-Williams recorded a triple double. He had 23 points on eight-of-12 shooting, 13 rebounds, 10 assists and two steals. He also ended his week in good fashion during a 103-77 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, the 76ers’ 20th consecutive defeat. Carter-Williams had 23 points on 10-of-16 shooting and grabbed eight rebounds. In between, he had two very inefficient games. In Wednesday’s 115-98 loss to the Sacramento Kings and Friday’s 101-94 loss to the Indiana Pacers, Carter-Williams averaged 12.5 points per game and shot just 10-of-30 from the field. He did, however, grab nine rebounds and dish out eight assists against the Pacers. He’s now averaging 16.8 points, 6.2 assists, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
3. Tim Hardaway, Jr. G, New York Knicks
Hardaway continues to show improvement nearly every night, which is why he continues to climb up this list. On Monday, Hardaway had perhaps the best game of his young career, finishing with 28 points on nine-of-13 shooting. Two days later, in a 116-92 win over the Boston Celtics, Hardaway was efficient again, putting up 22 points on seven-of-11 shooting. He was almost as good on Saturday when the Knicks took down the Milwaukee Bucks 115-94. Hardaway had 20 points on eight-of-12 shooting. He is now averaging 10.0 points and 1.5 rebounds per game and his Knicks have won six consecutive games.
4. Trey Burke, PG, Utah Jazz
Burke had one of, if not, his best week of the season. In Monday’s 112-110 loss to the Atlanta Hawks, Burke scored 23 points and dished out four assists. He shot nine-of-15 from the field and five-of-eight from beyond the arc. Two days later, in a 108-101 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, Burke had 20 points on eight-of-18 shooting and dished out six assists. In Friday’s 96-87 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, he scored 18 points on seven-of-10 shooting and collected four assists. The Jazz were in action again Sunday when they took on the San Antonio Spurs. Burke had 13 points on six-of-12 shooting with five assists, most of it coming in garbage time during the Jazz’s 122-104 loss. Burke is averaging 12.7 points, 5.4 assists and 3.1 assists per game.
5. Pero, Antic, C, Atlanta Hawks
It appeared as though Celtics’ center Kelly Olynyk was going to replace Antetokounmpo, but Antic had a huge week and helped lead the Hawks to three consecutive victories at a time when they badly need wins. On Monday, the Hawks took down the Utah Jazz 112-110. Antic had 12 points on four-of-eight shooting with three rebounds and three assists. In Thursday’s 102-97 defeat of the Milwaukee Bucks, Antic had just eight points on three-of-eight shooting, but pulled down seven rebounds. On Saturday night, Antic was aggressive, scoring 16 points on six-of-12 shooting, helping the Hawks to a 97-92 victory over the Denver Nuggets. Antic is now averaging 6.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 assists in just 16.8 minutes per game.
In: Antic
Out: Giannis Antetokounmpo, G, Milwaukee Bucks