Coming into this season everyone seemed to be honed in and looking forward to the perceived 2 man race between Blake Griffin and John Wall for this year’s NBA Rookie of the Year Award. Second overall pick and last season’s NCAA POY Evan Turner and former Kentucky big man Demarcus Cousins also figured to be dark horses for the award.
While the torrid match-up between Griffin and Wall has been every bit as spectacular as anticipated, a few top picks like Turner and Paul George of Indiana appear to be having a harder time than their peers in picking up the speed and tenacity of the NBA game. There have also been sleepers like New York’s Landry Fields who is hands down the steal of the draft and Houston’s Ish Smith, who is helping fill the void left by the injured Aaron Brooks.
Now that we are 6 weeks into the NBA season and we’ve had the chance to catch a first glimpse of the Association’s latest crop of future stars, it’s time to dole out our initial NBA Rookie of the Year Rankings with games played through the month of November.
1) Blake Griffin
LA Clippers
20.2 ppg, 11.6 reb, 2.6 ast, .520 FG%
2009 Draft – #1 Pick
While Wall impressed early, as of late Mr Griffin has turned downright beastly averaging a whopping 29.6 ppg, 14 reb, and 4.5 assists in his last 5 contests which includes a 44 point, 15 board, 7 assist, 2 steal, 1 block masterpiece against the Knicks on November 20th. Griffin leads all rookies in scoring and rebounding, ranks 4th in assists and FG%, and leads in highlight reel dunks. We all knew he was graceful yet powerful in college but so far this season Blake has been unreal by having us on the edge of our seats, looking for yet another OMFG moment. His Dwight Howard Superman Dunk on poor Knicks center Timofey Mozgov is arguable the dunk of the year. Unfortunately Griffin’s outstanding play hasn’t translated into many wins as the Clippers are a miserable 3-15. Doesn’t Blake remind you of an early 1990‘s Larry Johnson? Let’s call him Grand-Ma-Ma Version 2.0.
2) John Wall
Washington Wizards
18 ppg, 9.1 ast, 3.6 reb, 2.8 stl, .345 3 PT%, .808 FT%
2010 Draft – #1 Pick
Mr. Wall started the year off with a bang, averaging 19 ppg, 11.2 ast, and a league leading 4 steals per game through his first 8 games. Then came the injuries. He made more news off the court than on it by wearing a protective boot because of a foot injury, forcing him to miss 4 games. He than returned to almost single-handedly defeat the Sixers behind 25 second half points, including 3 crucial FT to force OT before once again being forced to sit on the sidelines with a bruised right knee. In between the injuries and doin the Dougie, John has been spectacular, showing he is capable of taking over ball games at a moment’s notice with his blazing speed at getting to the basket. Where he may have been underrated is on defense, where he has had 3 or more steals in 5 of 10 contests. The only downside appears to be a sometimes shady shot selection and a tendency to commit too many turnovers. He ranks 1st in assists and steals and 2nd in ppg and FT%.
3) Landry Fields
NY Knicks
10.8 ppg, 7.1 reb, 1.6 ast, 1 stl, .544 FG%, .311 3PT%, .775 FT%
2010 Draft – #39
The 6‘7, 210 lb swing-man from Stanford has surprised everyone by having a heck of a first season in the Association. He has started every game for coach D’Antoni’s Knickerbockers, ranking 2nd among rookies in rebounding, double-doubles, and FG%, 4th in ppg, and 8th in assists. He arguably rebounds as well as any guard, rookie or otherwise, and has already notched 6 double digit rebound nights, including a phenomenal 17 rebound game against the Nuggets. Landry has to be the steal of the draft since he ranks statistically better than virtually all but 2 players selected before him. Let’s hope the grind of an 82 game season doesn’t effect his amazing consistency.
4) Demarcus Cousins
Sacramento Kings
10.9 ppg, 6.8 reb, 1.1 ast, 1 stl
2010 Draft – #5 Pick
Many writers, myself included, though that the former Wildcat was going to enjoy taking it to the 4 teams that glanced over him in the draft. Despite possessing a tailor-made NBA physique, the man-child known as “Boogie” has been both good and bad for the struggling Kings this season. The good has been ranking 3rd in ppg and rebounds but has been every bit the malcontent that some GM’s were worried about. Have you seen how gray Paul Westphal’s hair is? Seriously, when focused, Cousins is a beast to defend scoring in double figures in 8 games and notching 2 double-doubles. But it’s his constant arguing with the coaching staff that is stunting his growth as he has been punished by being forced to come off the bench and at times even being thrown out of practice. The sky’s the limit for the 6‘10, 280 lb big man. Let’s not turn into Derrick Coleman.
5) Evan Turner
Philadelphia 76ers
7.7 ppg, 5.2 reb, 2.1 ast, .733 FT%
2010 Draft – #2 Pick
Turner gets my vote as one of the most disappointing rookies of the young season so far. But in my opinion, it’s not all his fault, as new Sixers coach has at times limited the #2 pick’s minutes to the point of scoring only 7 points in his last 4 games. After admitting that he had a hard time adjusting to the NBA game early, Turner has shown flashes of his potential, notching 2 double-doubles and by showing off his impressive spin move and killer crossover to some of the game’s best players. Just ask D. Wade. Right now the Sixers are getting no reward for grabbing the #2 pick, who should be making a significant contribution by now. What Turner does do well is rebound from the guard spot, ranking 5th among all rookies. Hopefully coach Collins will see the light and let Turner play with either good or bad results.
6) Wes Johnson
Minnesota Timberwolves
9.5 ppg, 3.1 reb, 2 ast, 1 blk, .345 3PT%
2010 Draft – #4 Pick
As one of the college ranks’ best stat-stuffers last season, Wes did everything well for the Cuse in ‘09-’10. He’s been both good and inconsistent with the Wolves as he is being thrust into the starting line-up, usually being forced to defend some of the game’s best swing-men. He ranks 5th in scoring and 6th in 3 point shooting but at times appears a bit tired as the rest of his production isn’t quite where you would expect the #4 pick to be at. With not much talent surrounding him in Minnesota, hopefully Wes develops and once again starts piling up the stats. He has scored 10 or more points in 8 of 13 games and has drained a trey in every contest but 4 games. Look for Johnson’s numbers to go up once the NBA game slows down for him.
7)Eric Bledsoe
LA Clippers
8.7 ppg, 4.9 ast, 3.6 reb, 1.2 stl, .489 FG%, .828 FT%
2010 Draft – #18 Pick
Kentucky’s other outstanding point guard last season has been in the right place at the right time since the oft injured Baron Davis, on the depth chart before him, is once again on the shelf for an extended period of time. In Boom-Dizzle’s absence Bledsoe has stepped up, dropping 5 or more assists in 11 contest, including 13 dime-droppers against the Nuggets. He has also rebounded well from the PG position, ranking 7th among all rookies and 3rd among backcourt players. As one of the game’s fastest players, Eric is sometimes too fast by turning the ball over more than 3 times per contest. He has also shot the ball with consistency, scoring in double figures in 8 games including a stretch in early November where he scored 10+ points and handed out 5+ assists in 6 of 7 games.
8 ) Derrick Favors
NJ Nets
6.8 ppg, 5.7 reb, .547 FG%
2010 Draft – #3 Pick
Everyone knew the dominating 19 year old rebounding and shot blocking force was a work in progress upon leaving Georgia Tech last season. Favors has been just that as coach Johnson has brought the big fella along slowly to the tune of only 18 minutes per night. In that limited time, he has shown the ability to rebound the basketball as well as shoot a high percentage from the field, ranking 1st in FG% among rookies. He also ranks 3rd in rebounding and 9th in ppg. Per 40 minutes, Favors ranks right up there near the top of the class with averages of nearly 18 ppg and 13 rebounds. As the losses pile up in New Jersey, hopefully Favors will get to show his wares with more playing time.
9) Al Farouq-Aminu
LA Clippers
7.8 ppg, 3.3 reb, 1 stl, .541 3 PT%
2010 Draft – #8 Pick
Surely some fans on draft night thought that the funny looking guy with the even funnier glasses and huge smile was nothing more than a novelty act. But after a slow start and some luck in getting playing time due to starters injuries, Aminu is proving he belongs in the NBA. He surprisingly leads all rookies in 3 point shooting and ranks 7th in points per game. Aminu has been on a tear since November 9th, starting 8 games and averaging 13 ppg, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal. Unfortunately the Clippers have won only 2 of those contests. Until the injured Chris Kaman returns to the line-up, look for Al to continue to learn the NBA game and put up decent numbers.
10) Gary Forbes
Denver Nuggets
7.2 ppg, 2.4 reb, .500 FG%, .500 3 PT%
2010 Draft – Undrafted(UMass)
The undrafted Forbes has been a pleasant surprise this season by providing scoring and rebounds off the bench for coach Karl. Injuries to Nene, K-Mart, and Chris Andersen have helped give Forbes some much needed playing time as he’s made the most of it scoring in double figures in 4 games and shooting better than 50% from the field. Virtually no one saw this coming as the 6’7 and 220 lb native of Panama wasn’t selected in the 2010 NBA Draft after starring for the University of Massachusetts in the A-10 Conference. Gary should make the most of his playing time now since the Nuggets front-court will eventually get healthy. You never know, Forbes may turn out to be a cheaper replacement for Kenyon Martin, if Denver decides not to resign him.
Next 3:
Tiago Splitter, SA Spurs(5 ppg, 2.7 reb, .523 FG%)
Ish Smith, Houston Rockets(3.7 ppg, 2.7 ast, 1,7 reb, .429 3 PT%)
James Anderson, SA Spurs(7 ppg, 1.5 ast, .500 3 PT%) Injured
Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of ennsylvania. Allen also provides content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.
