NBA Power Rankings: Ricky Rubio and Favorites for Rookie of the Year
This NBA rookie class has been called one of the worst in recent memory. There was no projected dominant force amongst this group of youngsters, and no odds-on favorite to win the Rookie of the Year award.
Through a week and a day, no player has truly stood above the rest. Most of the rookies have not broken into their team's starting lineup, but many are playing quality minutes.
Here are the top 10 rookies in the NBA so far:
1. Kyrie Irving - Cleveland Cavaliers 13.2 ppg, 4 rpg, 5.5 apg
Irving has been a little up and down, but he seems to be steadying himself as of late. He has rebounded well from his shaky debut and controls the top spot. He is second only to Marshon Brooks in scoring, and second to Ricky Rubio in assists.
2. Ricky Rubio - Minnesota Timberwolves 8.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.4 apg
Rubio has shown he's for real, and he can play on the NBA level. He leads all rookies in assists.
3. Marshon Brooks - New Jersey Nets 13.7 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.8 apg
Brooks is leading all rookies in scoring. Were it not for one scoreless game in which he played 12 minutes, Brooks would be averaging 19 points per game.
4. Kemba Walker - Charlotte Bobcats 11.5 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.5 apg
Walker has played well and showed the ability to score in bunches, but he won't see starter minutes this year with the way Augustin is playing.
5. Norris Cole - Miami Heat 11.7 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 3.2 apg
Were Cole getting more consistent minutes, or on a different team, he'd probably be higher. He has not finished every game on the floor, and I question that move from Erick Spoelstra. As it stands, he is still having a fine rookie season thus far.
6. Brandon Knight - Detroit Pistons 11.2 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 3.0 apg
Knight has helped guide the Pistons to a decent start, but he is much further along as a scorer than he is as a playmaker.
7. Markieff Morris - Phoenix Suns 9.4 ppg, 5.4 rpg
Markieff has faired the best of the Morris twins. He is second amongst rookies in rebounding and has been one of the few effective rookie big men.
8. Iman Shumpert - New York Knicks 11 ppg, 4 rpg, 1 apg
It's true, Shumpert only played part of one game before he injured his knee against the Celtics on Christmas Day. He should be back soon, and when he does, he could rise as high as No. 1. He is looking like the steal of the draft along with Cole.
9. Jeremy Pargo - Memphis Grizzlies 9.5 ppg, 2 rpg, 4 apg
Pargo has been a pleasant surprise for the Grizzlies. One they truly needed with Mike Conley going down.
10. Tristan Thompson - Cleveland Cavaliers 8.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg
The Cavs should be calling around to see who will take Antawn Jamison. Thompson is ready to produce double-doubles. The only thing holding him back is minutes.
