NBA Rookie Watch (Jan. 13): Tyreke Evans Still on Top

The main difficulty in compiling NBA rookie rankings is weighing the overall impact a rookie has had for his team and for the season, while also balancing his recent level of play.

If it came down to recent stretches, many could argue that Stephen Curry and Omri Casspi are two of the better rookies in the class. And really, they might be able to make a strong argument, regardless.

Still, Tyreke Evans stands as our sure-fire number one guy, with Brandon Jennings holding down the two spot, despite a slip in his play in the past few games.

Read on to see if your favorite rookie makes this edition of the rankings:

1. Tyreke Evans, PG, Sacramento Kings

Stats: 37.1 MPG, 20.6 PPG, 5.1 RPG, 4.9 APG, 1.5 SPG, 45% FG, 25% 3PT, 78% FT

Evans simply continues to dominate in terms of his rookie competition. He matches Brandon Jennings in point guard numbers, and holds a strong advantage over consistency, as well as holding the upper hand at getting to the basket and getting easy buckets.

If you look closely, there aren't as many issues with Evans' shooting and shot selection as there had been earlier in the season, and it's quite clear that as long as he gets his shots, the points start coming.

It's official: A ceiling has yet to be discovered for Evans.

2. Brandon Jennings, PG, Milwaukee Bucks

Stats: 34.4 MPG, 18.2 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 6.0 APG, 1.1 SPG, 39% FG, 39% 3PT, 81% FT

Jennings has been horrible from the floor as of late, hitting just 10-44 shots (under 23 percent) in his last three games, two of which were losses.

He still topped his season average of six dimes per game in that stretch, but his play needs to get back to being more balanced, and he needs to find his stroke again.

Jennings has done a nice job since breaking out in his first month with a 55-point game against the Golden State Warriors, as he's ridded himself of a "scorer" image, and has turned into more of a complete point guard.

3. Stephen Curry, G, Golden State Warriors

Stats: 32.2 MPG, 12.5 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 4.4 APG, 1.8 SPG, 46% FG, 42% 3PT, 83% FT

Entering the league, everyone knew Curry could score. However, in the early going, and in his season averages, Curry's scoring totals have been less than eye-popping.

Add in trade rumors, and you'd expect a rookie's confidence to shake, ala Adam Morrison.

However, Curry has shown his toughness and ability to learn on the fly of late, as he's dished out at least four assists in four straight games, while scoring in double digits in five of his last six.

Curry still isn't playing at an elite level, but he's consistently producing on a team that doesn't have one go-to scorer.

4. Omri Casspi, F, Sacramento Kings

Stats: 28.2 MPG, 12.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 1.4 APG, 48% FG, 44% 3PT, 64% FT

Casspi came down recently from a three-game tear, in which he topped 21 points in all three contests. He had been shooting lights out, which was impressive, but at the same time not very different from what he'd been doing all season.

Casspi simply plays smart basketball, gets good looks, knocks down shots, and plays excellent help defense. The play of teammate (and fellow rookie) Tyreke Evans has over-shadowed his production, but he easily deserves to be placed in the top five in these rankings.

5. Johnny Flynn, PG, Minnesota Timberwolves

Stats: 29.3 MPG, 14.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 42% FG, 34% 3PT, 80% FT

Flynn continues to be consistent, while keeping his season averages up, but it's clear that the progress he has made has been very limited.

He doesn't have the greatest supporting cast to aid his numbers, but Flynn routinely misses the easy pass, and simply hasn't established himself as the type of player that can change a game by creating for others.

Flynn is still playing extremely well and at a very high level for a rookie, but he has a ways to go to prove that he's the franchise point guard in Minnesota.

6. Taj Gibson, PF, Chicago Bulls

Stats: 24.3 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 0.9 BPG, 49% FG, 59% FT

With Tyrus Thomas back for Chicago, Gibson will finally have a teammate that should actively help him out down low.

Gibson was the Bulls' only real post threat for the longest time, as the other Chicago power forwards simply aren't getting it done (excluding Joakim Noah).

Gibson has been a beast on the glass with the minutes he's given, and he's rounded out to being a decent scorer when given the chance. He needs to improve his jumper to stretch the defense, as well as his free throw shot, but there's a lot to like from what we've seen out of the former Trojan so far.

7. Jonas Jerebko, F, Detroit Pistons

Stats: 27.1 MPG, 8.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 0.6 APG, 47% FG, 25% 3PT, 71% FT

Jerebko continues to hustle and work hard on the court, out-working defenders for hard shots, while showing his ability to shoot the mid-range shot.

He's an energy guy that gets lost in the middle of the Detroit Pistons down season, but his effort and production should not go unnoticed.

8. Ty Lawson, PG, Denver Nuggets

Stats: 22.6 MPG, 9.5 PPG, 2.2 RPG, 3.9 APG, 0.9 SPG, 51% FG, 44% 3PT, 79% FT

It's not Lawson's fault that he hasn't been dubbed the immediate starter in Denver. With veteran Chauncey Billups cemented in the starting lineup and still playing at an elite level (when healthy), Lawson has to soak up all the minutes he can get.

However, when Billups has missed time due to injury, or Lawson has been called upon for other reasons, he has shined.

Lawson is currently out due to his own injury, but when filling in as the starter for the then injured Billups, the former Tarheel put together an impressive stretch in which he topped 20 points and eight assists in three straight games.

9. James Harden, SG, Oklahoma City Thunder

Stats: 22.5 MPG, 9.6 PPG, 3.1 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.1 SPG, 38% FG, 35% 3PT, 79% FT

Harden has found a decent role in the Thunder's offensive attack, as he's simply been a smart, crafty player than takes advantage of situations and opportunities when they present themselves.

Always playing fourth fiddle to Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Jeff Green, Harden can move around easily and get open looks just about any time he wants.

He could stand to shoot better overall from the field, but there aren't many glaring flaws in the rookie's game, which continues to get more balanced.

10. Wesley Matthews, SG, Utah Jazz

Stats: 23.2 MPG, 8.4 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 1.1 APG, 48% FG, 35% 3PT, 78% FT

Matthews has been a pleasant surprise all season, as he's found himself in the starting lineup for much of the season, despite going undrafted last June.

Matthews has played a solid amount of minutes in a role much like what Kyle Korver served last season, and has been a solid threat behind the arc, while giving the Jazz great man-on-man defense that doesn't always show up in the box score.

Honorable Mentions: A.J. Price, DeJuan Blair, Chase Budinger, Jon Brockman, Marcus Thornton

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