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It's a month into the 2021-22 NBA season and things just keep getting better. The Golden State Warriors still have the best record in the league, while the Phoenix Suns have not lost since October 27th. The LA Lakers are still struggling and the Brooklyn Nets are atop the Eastern Conference.
The race for NBA Rookie of the Year is also starting to get unpredictable with unfortunate injuries, inconsistent playing time, breakout games and more that could have affected the rankings.
Will Evan Mobley's injury cost him a spot? Did Chris Duarte hang on to stay in the top five? Let's take a look at this week's NBA ROTY rankings to see if there are any movements.
#5 Josh Giddey
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - NA
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 17; Games won - 6; Games lost - 11
Last Week: PPG - 14.5 APG - 4.3, RPG - 9.5
Overall: PPG - 10.3, APG - 5.7, RPG - 7.3
Last Week: FG% - 46.2%, 3P% - 25.0%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 39.7%, 3P% - 25.4%, FT% - 63.6%
Josh Giddey of the OKC Thunder is back in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings at number five. Giddey had four games last week and scored in double-figures for all of them. He also posted two double-doubles, one against the Houston Rockets, and followed it up in the next game against the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Australian rookie is starting to find his footing in the NBA alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giddey has been one of the best rebounding guards in the league, averaging 7.3 per game. He even upped it last week by grabbing 9.5 rebounds per game, while also improving his scoring and shooting from the field.
#4 Franz Wagner
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 1; Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 18; Games won - 4; Games lost - 14
Last Week: PPG - 9.0 APG - 2.3, RPG - 3.8
Overall: PPG - 12.4, APG - 2.0, RPG - 3.9
Last Week: FG% - 32.4%, 3P% - 30.8%, FT% - 88.9%
Overall: FG% - 42.3%, 3P% - 36.0%, FT% - 79.4%
Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic slides down one spot for this week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings. Wagner started last week with two great games against the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets. He even hit a clutch dunk in the win over the Knicks.
The reason Wagner slid down the rankings is his two stinker games against the defending champions Milwaukee Bucks. He scored just three total points in those two games, going 1-for-13 in the field. Nevertheless, Wagner is still having an impressive rookie season overall.
#3 Cade Cunningham
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 4; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 16.0 APG - 7.3, RPG - 8.7
Overall: PPG - 14.1 APG - 4.6, RPG - 6.4
Last Week: FG% - 35.3%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 87.5%
Overall: FG% - 35.0%, 3P% - 25.3%, FT% - 90.9%
The basketball world is starting to see why the Detroit Pistons took Cade Cunningham with the first overall pick in this year's draft. Cunningham moved up two spots in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings. He capped off last week by becoming the youngest Pistons player to record a triple-double.
Cunningham had 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against the LA Lakers. He's still struggling with his shot and not attacking the basket, but it's understandable since he's coming off an ankle injury. Nevertheless, Cunningham has made some noise and could move up again next week with Evan Mobley nursing an elbow injury.
#2 Evan Mobley
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 0; Games won - 0; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 15; Games won - 9; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 0.0 APG - 0.0, RPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 14.6, APG - 2.5, RPG - 8.0
Last Week: FG% - 0.0%, 3P% - 0.0%, BPG - 0.0
Overall: FG% - 49.4%, 3P% - 30.8%, BPG - 1.6
Evan Mobley barely hangs on to second spot in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings. Mobley did not play any games last week after suffering a sprained elbow. The Cleveland Cavaliers announced Mobley will miss at least two to four weeks. Before his injury, he was one of the favorites to win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
Mobley was averaging 14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 blocks per game before his injury. He was also shooting 49.4% from the field and 30.8% from beyond the arc. Most importantly, the Cavaliers are 0-3 since Mobley went down with the injury.
#1 Scottie Barnes
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 1; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 16; Games won - 6; Games lost - 10
Last Week: PPG - 7.3 APG - 5.7, RPG - 8.7
Overall: PPG - 14.6, APG - 3.3, RPG - 8.4
Last Week: FG% - 30.0%, 3P% - 40.0%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 48.0%, 3P% - 25.0%, SPG - 1.1
Like Evan Mobley, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors barely hangs on to his spot in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings. Barnes has cooled down after a hot start to the season, which means the race for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award is still wide open a month into the season.
Barnes had a bad week last week as he only averaged 7.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting just 30.0% from the field. If the fourth overall pick continues his struggles this week, don't be surprised if we have a new number one for next week's NBA Rookie of the Year rankings.
Guess the Lakers players!
