NBA Rookie of the Year Power Rankings: Week 21
Each week, FanSided will be ranking the NBA rookies based on their performance so far this season.
This week, the list had just one change with Utah Jazz point guard Trey Burke moving back ahead of New York Knicks’ guard Tim Hardaway, Jr.
1. Victor Oladipo, G, Orlando Magic
Oladipo didn’t have the greatest week shooting the ball, but he put up solid numbers and has been the most consistent performer. In a 103-89 loss to the Golden State Warriors Tuesday, Oladipo had 10 points on three-of-eight shooting, dished out five assists and grabbed five rebounds. One night later in Phoenix, the Magic were defeated by the Suns 109-93. Oladipo had a poor night shooting, going six-of-18 from the field. He finished with 14 points, nine assists, three rebounds and two steals. On Saturday, it was the Utah Jazz who defeated the Magic 89-88 on Trey Bturke’s three-pointer. Oladipo made big plays before the three, hitting a beautiful step back jumper off of a crossover to take the lead and hitting two free throws to extend the lead to three. He finished with 19 points, six rebounds and four assists. The Magic concluded their west coast road trip with a 103-94 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday night. Oladipo had 21 points on six-of-11 shooting, dished out 10 assists, grabbed five rebounds and had two steals. On the season, he is averaging 14.0 points, 4.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.6 steals per game.
2. Michael Carter-Williams, PG, Philadelphia 76ers
Things have been tough on Carter-Williams. He’s obviously benefited statistically from the incredibly fast pace at which the 76ers play, but he’s also a member of the league’s worst team. The 76ers only have the league’s second worst record, but have lost 24 consecutive games. Carter-Williams had another poor week shooting, but put up big numbers again. On Monday when the 76ers were taken down by the Indiana Pacers, he had 15 points on seven-of-20 shooting, 13 rebounds and five assists. In a 102-94 loss to the Chicago Bulls two days later, Carter-Williams shot seven-of-16 from the field and finished with 16 points, nine rebounds and seven assists. Carter-Williams fouled out of the game. On Friday night, the New York Knicks beat the 76ers 93-92. Carter-Williams nearly had a triple double with 22 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists and shot 10-of-21 from the field. One day later, the Bulls frustrated the rookie again, holding him to seven points on three-of-14 shooting. He did, however, manager to grab 11 rebounds and dish out six assists. Carter-Williams is averaging 16.7 points, 6.3 assists, 6.1 rebounds and 1.9 steals per game.
3. Trey Burke, PG, Utah Jazz
Burke stole the headlines this week with his game-winning three-pointer in an 89-88 victory over the Orlando Magic Saturday. Burke had 17 points, four assists and two rebounds in that game. His week got started on Monday in a 124-86 loss to the Houston Rockets. Burke had 10 points on four-of-13 shooting, five assists and three rebounds. Two days later, in a 96-86 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies, Burke put up 16 points, six assists and two rebounds. On the season, Burke is averaging 12.8 points, 5.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game.
4. Tim Hardaway, Jr. G, New York Knicks
This may be hard to believe after the way the season was going for Tim Hardaway, Jr., but he is currently making big contributions for the hottest team in the league. His Knicks had won eight straight games before Sunday’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. This week, however, was a quiet one for Hardaway individually, which is why he is behind Burke. On Wednesday, the Knicks earned one of their most impressive wins of the season, defeating the team that knocked them out of the 2013 postseason, the Indiana Pacers, 92-86. Hardaway had one of his worst games, going 0-of-seven from the field in just 15 minutes. He finished with two points and five rebounds. In a 93-92 win over the Philadelphia 76ers Friday, he scored six points on three-of-11 shooting. On Sunday evening, the Knicks were defeated by the Cavaliers. Hardaway scored 12 points on five-of-12 shooting. On the season, he is averaging 10.0 points and 1.6 rebounds per game.
5. Pero, Antic, C, Atlanta Hawks
Antic is the surprise on this list and continues to hold a lead for the fifth spot over the likes of Milwaukee Bucks’ guard Giannis Antetokounmpo, Brooklyn Nets’ big man Mason Plumlee and Boston Celtic’s center Kelly Olynyk.
Antic’s return to the lineup has helped the Hawks hold off the New York Knicks for the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference – the Hawks are currently three games up (and four in the loss column). On Monday, the Hawks took down the Charlotte Bobcats 97-83. Antic had 11 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. The next night, in a 118-113 victory over the Toronto Raptors, Antic went for just eight points and four rebounds. The Hawks got back to work Friday when they lost to the New Orleans Pelicans 111-105. Antic had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists. In a 96-86 loss to the Raptors Sunday, Antic had just four points on one-of-six shooting, but pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out three assists. On the season, Antic is now averaging 7.2 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game.
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