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A week into 2022 and the race for the NBA Rookie of the Year is heating up. Scottie Barnes, who was among the strongest contenders for the award, might have hit the dreaded rookie wall. Meanwhile, Josh Giddey and Franz Wagner are hitting their strides, but their team results have been abysmal.
Elsewhere, Cade Cunningham got his mojo back, exploding for a career-high this week while Jalen Green has been scoring in bunches since returning from a hamstring injury. As for Evan Mobley, he was voted sixth among young players that NBA executives would want to build their squad around.
Let's take a look at this week's ROTY power rankings and see if there is a new rookie or if Mobley retains the top spot.
#5 Scottie Barnes
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #3.
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 4; Games lost - 0.
Overall: Games played - 32; Games won - 17; Games lost - 15.
Last Week: PPG - 8.8, APG - 5.0, RPG - 7.0
Overall: PPG - 14.7, APG - 3.5, RPG - 8.0
Last Week: FG% - 37.8%, 3P% - 10.0%, FT% - 60.0%
Overall: FG% - 48.2%, 3P% - 32.4%, FT% - 71.4%
As mentioned above, Scottie Barnes of the Toronto Raptors might have unfortunately hit the rookie wall. Barnes played in four games last week, but averaged just 8.8 points and shot the ball 37.8% from the field.
It was encouraging to see Barnes rebound the ball and make plays last week, averaging 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists. However, the Raptors rookie has fallen to fifth spot in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. Barnes has to pick up his game with Jalen Green on his tail and gunning for a spot in the top five.
#4 Josh Giddey
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #4.
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3.
Overall: Games played - 34; Games won - 12; Games lost - 22.
Last Week: PPG - 11.7, APG - 6.3, RPG - 9.0
Overall: PPG - 11.1, APG - 6.4, RPG - 7.5
Last Week: FG% - 48.1%, 3P% - 45.5%, SPG - 1.0
Overall: FG% - 39.6%, 3P% - 27.8%, SPG - 1.0
Josh Giddey of the Oklahoma City Thunder maintains his place in this week's NBA ROTY power rankings. Giddey remained at number four after averaging 11.7 points, 9.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists last week.
The Australian is already one of the best rebounding guards in the NBA this season. His passing has also advanced for his relative lack of experience and he's slowly improving his shooting as well. Giddey shot the ball at a good click last week, averaging 48.1% from the field and 45.5% from beyond the arc.
#3 Cade Cunningham
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #5.
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2.
Overall: Games played - 30; Games won - 8; Games lost - 22.
Last Week: PPG - 17.3, APG - 6.5, RPG - 2.8
Overall: PPG - 15.7, APG - 5.4, RPG - 5.7
Last Week: FG% - 38.7%, 3P% - 33.3%, SPG - 1.3
Overall: FG% - 38.8%, 3P% - 32.1%, SPG - 1.3
Cade Cunningham moves two spots up in this week's NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings. The Detroit Pistons rookie helped the team win two games last week, averaging 17.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 6.5 assists in four games.
Cunningham scored a career high 29 points in the Pistons' 126-116 upset win over the Utah Jazz. He also had eight assists, two steals and two blocks in that game. However, the first overall pick has to improve his efficiency if he wants to have a shot at a place in the top two next week.
#2 Franz Wagner
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #2.
Last Week: Games played - 3; Games won - 0; Games lost - 3.
Overall: Games played - 41; Games won - 7; Games lost - 34.
Last Week: PPG - 13.3, APG - 1.3, RPG - 5.0
Overall: PPG - 15.7, APG - 2.6, RPG - 4.7
Last Week: FG% - 47.1%, 3P% - 25.0%, SPG - 0.3
Overall: FG% - 45.2%, 3P% - 36.3%, SPG - 1.0
Franz Wagner of the Orlando Magic was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for December. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.1 assists during the month. Wagner is one of the most surprising rookies this season, considering that the Magic initially opted for Jalen Suggs ahead of him.
The Germany international remains in second spot in this week's NBA ROTY power rankings. In three games last week, Wagner averaged 13.3 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists, while shooting 47.1% from the field.
#1 Evan Mobley
Previous week’s NBA ROTY Power Ranking - #1.
Last Week: Games played - 4; Games won - 2; Games lost - 2.
Overall: Games played - 33; Games won - 20; Games lost - 13.
Last Week: PPG - 15.8, APG - 2.8, RPG - 7.3
Overall: PPG - 14.8, APG - 2.6, RPG - 8.1
Last Week: FG% - 50.0%, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 1.8
Overall: FG% - 50.1%, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 1.8
Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers is the favorite to be crowned NBA Rookie of the Year. Not only is Mobley putting up excellent numbers, he's one of the reasons the Cavaliers are battling for a playoff spot. The third overall selection averaged 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.8 blocks in four games last week.
Mobley was also voted sixth among young players you want to build your team around by NBA executives. He was ahead of players such as Zion Williamson, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards.
With his performance last week and the perception of the NBA's GMs, Mobley takes first spot in the ROTY power rankings for the second straight week.
Guess the Lakers players!
