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Another week of NBA play has come and gone and the 2021-22 NBA season continues to give us plenty of excitement. The storylines throughout the opening month of NBA play have been fascinating to monitor as expected. As a number of star players have become a popular topic of conversation, there's no denying that some of the younger stars in the league have generated some serious buzz with their play.
The 2021 NBA Draft class has come out of the gate red hot, as there's been a number of rookies who have shined with their performances on the court. Last week's Rookie of the Year power rankings featured the debut of Orlando Magic rookie Franz Wagner in the top five. Let's take a look at the movement in the power rankings for this week's installment.
#5 Josh Giddey
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #4
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 2; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 3; Games lost - 6
Last Week: PPG - 9.0, APG - 6.3, RPG - 6.7
Overall: PPG - 10.1, APG - 5.9, RPG - 6.1
Last Week: FG% - 32.4%, 3P% - 16.7%, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 40.4%, 3P% - 25.9%, FT% - 61.5%
Although his production over the last week hasn't looked as strong as previously, Oklahoma City Thunder rookie Josh Giddey has continued to be an important part of the rotation during his first season. Giddey immediately came into the league and made his presence felt with his playmaking ability and selfless passing. He's a crafty ball-handler with great size and he's found himself playing serious minutes for the Thunder so far.
Although Giddey still has some work to do when it comes to his efficiency, he's continued to pile up production across the board. In his last three games, Giddey is averaging 9.0 points, 6.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. After being ranked fourth in last week's power rankings, Giddey finds himself dropping back one spot to fifth overall.
#4 Franz Wagner
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #5
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 3; Games lost - 8
Last Week: PPG - 13.5, APG - 2.5, RPG - 3.5
Overall: PPG - 13.7, APG - 2.1, RPG - 3.5
Last Week: FG% - 42.9%, 3P% - 31.8%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 46.9%, 3P% - 38.9%, FT% - 71.4%
The Orlando Magic continues to be one of the more pleasant surprises throughout the entire NBA. Although the Magic have struggled to string together some wins, the team have showcased that they have a young nucleus of talent that look to have a bright future together. One of those pieces has been rookie forward Franz Wagner. The Magic selected Wagner with the eighth overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft and he's started to shine on the basketball court as of late.
Wagner has started to show some serious confidence on the floor, and has had a couple of impressive performances that have opened some eyes around the NBA. Last week Wagner had a 28-point performance in a big win on the road against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He went on to average 13.5 points per game last week, while also pitching in 1.3 steals per game. After making his debut in the Rookie of the Year power rankings last week, Wagner has moved up one spot to fourth overall.
#3 Chris Duarte
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #1
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 3; Games lost - 1
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 4; Games lost - 7
Last Week: PPG - 13.0, APG - 2.3, RPG - 4.0
Overall: PPG - 16.0, APG - 2.4, RPG - 4.5
Last Week: FG% - 51.3%, 3P% - 50.0%, FT% - 75.0%
Overall: FG% - 44.7%, 3P% - 42.2%, FT% - 86.7%
If you've been watching the NBA closely then you know that Indiana Pacers rookie wing Chris Duarte has been one of the most impressive players from the 2021 NBA Draft class. Duarte was the 13th overall selection this year, but he's looked like a season veteran with his play on the court.
Duarte found himself ranked first overall in the power rankings for a number of previous weeks, but falls to third overall this week. Not because his play has been lacking as of late, but because it just goes to show how much talent is battling with Duarte for the Rookie of the Year award. His last week of play was another solid one, including a 18-point performance against the San Antonio Spurs.
#2 Evan Mobley
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #3
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 11; Games won - 7; Games lost - 4
Last Week: PPG - 17.5, APG - 2.5, RPG - 8.8
Overall: PPG - 14.9, APG - 2.5, RPG - 8.0
Last Week: FG% - 54.5%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 80.0%
Overall: FG% - 52.0%, 3P% - 23.5%, FT% - 80.0%
Cleveland Cavaliers rookie Evan Mobley has started to turn heads around the NBA with his play on the court. After being selected with the third overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft, some wondered if it might take Mobley some time to find his groove. It looks as if it hasn't taken long, as Mobley has been one of the more impressive players in the entire league.
Mobley has been oozing with confidence and you can see it with his play on the court. The Cavaliers have rattled off four straight wins, and Mobley has been a big reason why. In his last four games, the rookie big man is averaging 17.5 points and 8.8 rebounds per game while shooting 54.5% from the field. Mobley continues to climb the Rookie of the Year power rankings and finds himself second overall this week.
#1 Scottie Barnes
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #2
Last Week: Games played - 2; Games won - 0; Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 9; Games won - 4; Games lost - 5
Last Week: PPG - 11.0, APG - 4.0, RPG - 8.0
Overall: PPG - 16.6, APG - 2.4, RPG - 8.7
Last Week: FG% - 42.3%, 3P% - 0.0%, FT% - N/A%
Overall: FG% - 52.4%, 3P% - 20.0%, FT% - 70.8%
The basketball world has been buzzing when it comes to the play of Toronto Raptors rookie Scottie Barnes. After the Raptors selected Barnes with the fourth overall selection in the 2021 NBA Draft, many thought it would be a long process with Barnes' ability on the offensive side of the ball. That's been just the opposite, as Barnes has thrived with his ability on both sides of the floor to start the season.
Barnes returned after missing a couple of games last week with an injury and put up some big numbers. In two games of action, he went on to average 11.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 3.0 steals per game. The versatile weapon has been spectacular during the opening month of play and finds himself first in this weeks Rookie of the Year power rankings.
Guess the Lakers players!
