Matt graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale in May of 2007 majoring in TV Production. Matt is currently a writer at StaticMultimedia.com, TheBleacherReport.com, NationalSportsNation.com, SportsMixed.com, FanFever.com, Filmcatcher.com, 2 Much Swag, and TheHoopDoctors.com. Matt will provide you with insightful wit and an eager eye for sports.
It is time to update our ROY Ranks and there is little movement at the top but the rest of the list has shaken up quite a bit. It has been a slow year for the Rooks as #1 and # 5 picks Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio have yet to play a game and #2 pick Hasheem Thabeet has yet to make a difference and there are some surprises from both rounds of the draft.
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1. Brandon Jennings – Previous Rank 1
BJ ranks first in Rookie PPG, second in Rookie MPG and 3P%, and third in SPG. Needless to say the Young Buck has had an eventful rookie season in Milwaukee and he is one of the reasons why the Bucks are in the playoff hunt right now. He might hit a wall next month but he will always get his stats, as no one on the roster will push him to the side. BJ is what Stephon Marbury was supposed to be and should be the 2010 ROY.
2. Tyreke Evans – previous rank 2
You can make an argument Evans belongs in the number one spot but Jennings has done more with less and that is why BJ has the top spot. The Kings are not in the playoff hunt and have much more talent than the Bucks. I understand they play in the west and if the teams switched leagues the Bucks would be in last and the Kings would be in the playoffs but Evans is lacking that big game like BJ has. Evans is still one of the best young players in the game as he and LeBron are the only players averaging 18.5 PPG, 5 RPG, and 4.5 APG.
3. Jonny Flynn – Previous Rank 6
One of my favorite things to think about is why the Timberwolves drafted Jonny Flynn over Brandon Jennings but you can make fun of a lot of teams for doing it. As one of the only players on the Wolves with NBA talent Flynn has not stopped producing and he should improve his assist numbers when Kevin Love returns. Last week Flynn averaged nearly 30 MPG, over 15 PPG, 7 APG, 3 RPG, and 1 SPG; great numbers from the kid.
4. Darren Collison – previous rank NR
With Chris Paul out DC has picked up the PG slack for the New Orleans Hornets. Last week Collison averaged over 15 PPG and nearly 6 APG and he included 1.5 SPG in over 32 MPG. His stats will take a hit when CP3 comes back later this week but it was a great run for Collison and a great late round pick by NOH.
5. Marcus Thornton – Previous Rank NR
Another Hornet who has picked up the slack in CP3’s absence is Marcus Thornton. He has eclipsed the 20-point mark three times this season and went for double digits seven out of his last nine games. Collison and Thornton have kept the Hornets season alive and the team should be better when CP3 returns very soon. The Hornets did a great job drafting late in the first and second rounds.
6. Omri Casspi – Previous Rank 10
Omri is on fire lately scoring double digits in six straight games and adding a mixed bag of everything else. The Israeli big man has quickly become a fan favorite in Sac Town and it is for his versatile game and high IQ. Casspi can knock down the triple (47%) and shoots nearly 53% from the floor and can rebound, dish the ball, and come up with a few stats that are not in the box score.
7. Stephen Curry – previous rank 4
Curry would be producing at a much higher level if he were on any other NBA team as, superstar Monta Ellis hinders his production and the bevy of guards on the Warriors roster also do not help. But Curry still ranks second in Rookie APG and has a sparkling A/TO ratio along with averaging over 10 PPG. I think Curry will be playing his best ball in March and will ascend up the ROY Ranks by the end of the year.
8. DeJuan Blair – previous rank 8
DeJuan Blair would have fallen off the list if it were not for his last two consecutive double doubles. The former Pitt big man went for 12 PPG, 8 RPG, and nearly 2 BPG last week and might be asserting himself on a playoff team. He needs to be more consistent to be higher on the list.
9. Chase Budinger – previous rank 7
As a second rounder Chase Budinger was not supposed to be consistently in the top ten for ROY but he has kept producing and as long as he is scoring he will be in the picture. Last week was a relatively slow week for the sharp shooter but he still managed to put up 19 points and five boards against the Clippers and Chase ranks 2nd amongst rookies with 24 3PM this season. He is a top contributor off the Rockets bench and was a second round steal by HOU.
10. Ty Lawson – previous rank 5
Ty Lawson has slowed down but the kid that could not shoot a lick at UNC is still hitting 50% from three-point land. A better floor general than anything, Lawson does things that do not show up in the box score and his head coach knows that, “We didn’t see his maturity of the fundamentals. He doesn’t turn it over. He doesn’t make a lot bad decisions and he’s still going after the defense,” George Karl told SI.com. Lawson, like Curry will be playing his best ball in March.
Honorable Mention (in this order)
Taj Gibson PR 9 – Leader in BPG and 2nd in RPG amongst rooks.
Jrue Holiday NR – Getting ample PT with Lou Williams out.
Sam Young NR – Has reached double digits in 5 out of last 10.
Jonas Jerebko NR – Recently went for 22 points and 5 boards against the LAC.
James Harden NR – Has reached double digits five out of seven games.
Eric Maynor NR – Has averaged 10 points and 4 assists last two games.
Wesley Matthews NR – Went for 17 points after struggling last week.
Toney Douglas – Went for 17 points against Orlando last week.
Terrence Williams Previous Rank 3 – TWill has fallen off the ROY Ranks but it is just a funk and we think he will be back in the top ten in no time.
Austin Daye NR – Can do a lot of things and will only get better.
Rodrigue Beaubois NR – Rookie PG learning behind Jason Kidd and JJ Barea.
Blake Griffin – BG should be back in early January and might make a run at the top.
