The NBA Rookie Ladder: February 2014

Yes, Anthony Bennett had some good runs to start 2014, but, hey, he’s still my choice for the worst top pick in recent memory. Kelly Olynyk and Victor Oladipo have also put in some good games and both have climbed up the ladder, while Memphis’s Nick Calathes is finally seeing a lot more daylight. Having said all these things, however, there is still no sign of any big changes in our top rookies. MCW and Trey Burke are still strong, while the Greek Freak remains a consistent, if middling, prospect.

And as for lottery picks like Otto Porter, Cody Zeller, Alex Len, and Ben McLemore? Meh.

Note: All of the following stats are based on each player’s stats as computed by HoopsStats.com. They were taken on February 26, 2014 (Manila time).

5. Kelly Olynyk (BOS) - 7.1ppg, 4.8rpg, 9.1 EFF

After putting up back-to-back double-doubles against Milwaukee and San Antonio, Olynyk turned in a trio of forgettable performances in Boston’s California road trip. He did, however, bounce back nicely with a 21-8-4 game against the Jazz (they still lost though). Olynyk has the makings of a solid big man for the Big Green in the very near future, but right now he’s just plagued by inconsistency. Sadly, that’s enough to be the fifth-best rookie in this class.

That hair.
(image from Bleacher Report)

         

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) - 7.2ppg, 4.6rpg, 9.5 EFF

This young Greek phenom was a big reason the Bucks walked out of Philadelphia with a handy 20-point win. In that game, Giannis poured in 13 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and FOUR BLOCKED SHOTS. He shot 5/8 from the field, including 50% from beyond the arc. He has the makings of a baby KD (a 6’9 wingman?!) or a shiftier Serge Ibaka (4 blocks?!). Either path would be awesome not just for him or the Greece national team, but also for the Bucks as a whole.

3. Trey Burke (UTA) - 12.8ppg, 3.2rpg, 5.6apg, 1.7 triples per game, .910 FT%, 12.0 EFF

Burke falls down one spot not because he has played terribly, but mainly because the next guy on this list has played splendidly. Before we get to him, however, let’s stay on-point with Burke. Utah has won 4 of its last 7 in no small part because this rookie point guard out of Michigan has continues to put up great numbers. He leads all rookies in free throw percentage and three-pointers made per game, and also is ranked second in assists per outing. In short, he’s Utah’’s main playmaker for at least the next two seasons (unless they blow up their rebuilding process and, well, go for another rebuilding process).

2. Victor Oladipo (ORL) - 13.8ppg, 4.4rpg, 4.1apg, 1.7spg, 13.6 EFF

Dipo is finally working it in Florida, where he seems to have found a sweet spot as the Magic’s official starting two-guard. He’s second among all rookies in both scoring and steals, and, not surprisingly, second overall on this list. Oh, but did you catch his 30-point, 9-rebound, 14-assist, and 2-steal masterpiece against the Knicks last week? Yeah, folks. This kid is gonna be big someday, like maybe as soon as next season. He has all the makings of an All-Star at this level, and I’d be more surprised if he blows his shot at it.

1. Michael Carter-Williams (PHI) - 17.3ppg, 5.2rpg, 6.3apg, 2.0spg, 17.0 EFF

Not a lot of people have noticed, but MCW has scored in double-figures for the Sixers in all but four games this season. Yes, whether they’ve actually won or lost is important, too, but that’s for a completely different conversation. As an individual rookie pro basketball player, MCW is just the best out there today. Before Dipo dropped his near-triple-D against NYK, he had like three straight games of ugly shooting, but this kid has consistency all over his game. It helps, of course, that Philly is one of the most fast-paced teams out there. And with Evan Turner out and rumors of Danny Granger and the Sixers contemplating a buyout, it’s pretty clear this kid from Hamilton, Massachusetts will see his numbers get inflated even more. ROY. Called it.

  

Is it too early to declare Michael Carter-Williams the NBA's Rookie-of-the-Year? I think not.
(image by Jesse D. Garrabrant/Getty Images)

Outside looking in:

Nate Wolters (MIL) – 8.4 EFF

Ryan Kelly (LAL) – 7.7 EFF

Hollis Thompson (PHI) – 7.4 EFF

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