NBA Week 14 rewind: Domination never looked so easy

Weekly NBA Rookie Watch

Devin Booker has somehow been left out the Rising Stars Challenge, so he’ll have to make a splash at All-Star weekend in the three-point contest instead. Although, judging by the way he’s been playing so far, making 42.2 percent of his threes, it’s safe to say he can put on a show.

Last week he was at it again as the Suns’ new sharpshooter, averaging 17 points, 3.5 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game. He’s really starting to gain confidence, and you won’t see him hesitate to shoot when he gets to dribble off a screen or catches the ball in space. Now, with 41.2 percent shooting from 16-24 feet and such a reliable stroke from deep, he’s one of the best talents in Phoenix as they try to look forward to a fresh start in 2016-17.

Alongside Bledsoe and Brandon Knight, Booker gives the Suns an exciting trio to work in their backcourt.

Myles Turner is back from injury and he’s really starting to find his game in an increased role with the Indiana Pacers. He’s blocking shots at a terrific rate with 2.7 per 36 minutes, he knows how to rotate on defense and has good reactions which helps him lower his opponent’s field goal percentage by 7.8 percent within six feet (per NBA.com).

As for Turner’s offensive game, he looks like a great mid-range shooter already. He takes almost half his shots from 16-to-24 feet out and he still makes them at a 46.6 percent rate, which is highly impressive for a 6’11” center.

Thanks to that range he averaged 14.7 points last week, plus seven rebounds and two blocks for good measure as well.

Karl-Anthony Towns is racking up more 20-10 games, so what’s new? He leads all rookies with 13 such performances this season, while Kristaps Porzingis is back in second with six. Last week Towns was showing off his growing dominance in the paint again, averaging 24.5 points on 62.1 percent shooting, 12.3 rebounds and two blocks per game.

Rookies just aren’t meant to average those kind of numbers and make such a difference at only 20 years old, but when they do, you know you have something special on your hands. It goes without saying that Towns is going to be one of the top franchise centers in the NBA for years to come.

Next: Under-the-radar Players to Watch Next Week