HoopsDaily.com ranks the Top 10 rookies in the NBA and 3 players from last year’s Kentucky team are in the top 7.
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[B]Rookie Rankings 12/20[/B]:
1. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/blake-griffin”]Blake Griffin[/URL]
Retaining his stranglehold on the top spot, Griffin has recorded 13 straight double-doubles and is even averaging 4.3 assists over his last 10 games.
[B]2. [/B][URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/john-wall”][B]John Wall[/B][/URL]
[B]His play has been inconsistent of late, but he’s still putting up the best numbers of any rookie point guard since Chris Paul, which is saying something in today’s league. His shooting numbers are noticeably down but he’s moving the rock as efficiently as ever, averaging 10.6 assists in his last three.[/B]
3. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/landry-fields”]Landry Fields[/URL]
Still leading all guards in rebounding, Spike Lee has now taken to wearing Fields’ jersey during games. Disappointing performances in huge home games against Boston (6 and 6) and Miami (5 and 5) prevent him from leapfrogging Wall.
4. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/derrick-favors”]Derrick Favors[/URL]
The Nets’ management must be perversely rooting, deep down, for Favors to falter in some way, because his tremendous talent would be hard to give up if they were to work out a deal for Carmelo Anthony. He isn’t putting up huge numbers, but he’s been very consistent, a solid week highlighted by a double-double (10 and 13) against Philly. He’s shot .500 or better from the field in 12 of his last 13.
5. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/gary-neal”]Gary Neal[/URL]
Props to the rookie for not taking himself out mentally after getting posterized by J.R. Smith. Neal ended up getting the last laugh, pulling down 7 boards and contributing 6 points as the Spurs beat the Nuggets 113-112.
[B]6. [/B][URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/demarcus-cousins”][B]DeMarcus Cousins[/B][/URL]
[B]Due to very weak play from former top-10 staples Bledsoe, Aminu and Turner, “Boogie” finally makes his first appearance on the list. He continues to foul like the Kings are down by one with seconds left, and his turnover numbers are through the roof, but his scoring and rebounding numbers are now impossible to ignore. Cousins is averaging 16.3 and 10 in three games this week, gaudy numbers we had only previously seen from the likes of Griffin and Wall thus far.[/B]
[B]7. [/B][URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/eric-bledsoe”][B]Eric Bledsoe[/B][/URL]
[B]He has become very erratic since Baron’s return, but in this rookie climate, averages of 8 points (45%FG/84%FT), 5 assists and 1 steal assure him a spot in the top 10.[/B]
8. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/wesley-johnson”]Wesley Johnson[/URL]
He’s been one of the most frustrating rookies for the most part, mainly because he keeps threatening to find his groove, only to revert back to his mediocre ways. His 17-point, 5-assist, 4-rebound, 2-block showing against Phoenix served as a good reminder of what he’s capable of.
9. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/larry-sanders”]Larry Sanders[/URL]
The “Best rookie shot blocker” label doesn’t do Sanders justice. He’s averaging 1.4 blocks in just 15.2 minutes. Elite post defender Joakim Noah is averaging 1.6 blocks in 37 minutes.
10. [URL=”http://www.hoopsdaily.com/players/pooh-jeter”]Pooh Jeter[/URL]
Who has the highest PER after Griffin? That would be the 5-foot-11, 27-year old Eugene “Pooh” Jeter, who’s averaging 5.2 points (45%FG/93%FT) and 3 assists in just 13.1 minutes
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