| RANK | ROOKIE | RUNDOWN | RECENT |
| 1 |  |
DAMIAN LILLARD, G, PORTLAND: Ankle twist in the Rising Stars Challenge obviously not an issue as the kid went out the next night and became the first rookie to win the Skills Challenge with two runs under 30 seconds, then began the stretch drive with 24 and 7 vs. Phoenix. But the Blazers need a win, badly. | 1 |
| 2 |  |
ANTHONY DAVIS, F-C, NEW ORLEANS: Is he making a move? Averaging 16.0 points, 8.3 boards, 1.67 steals and 1.67 blocks in last three games. Minutes are inching up as well. And at All-Star Weekend in Houston, he showed he is not one of the herd and may have been the only player not wearing Beats headphones. | 2 |
| 3 |  |
BRADLEY BEAL, G, WASHINGTON: Back in the starting lineup after coming off the bench due to a wrist injury prior to the break and responded with 25 points on 9-of-19 from the field. Shooting stroke is becoming more evident as he is a scorching 40-of-79 from the arc since Jan. 1. | 5 |
| 4 |  |
DION WAITERS, G, CLEVELAND: Overall shooting is back above 40 percent for the first time since mid-November as he is benefitting from all the attention defenses give Kyrie Irving. Has scored in double figures in six of last seven games, with Cavs going 4-3 in that stretch. | 3 |
| 5 |  |
ANDREW NICHOLSON, F, ORLANDO: Has scored in double figures in every game since Feb. 6 – except the Rising Stars Challenge. Go figure. Averaging 13.6 points and 9.6 boards during that stretch and continues his upward climb while his team finds new, uncharted depths. | 7 |
| 6 |  |
MOE HARKLESS, F, ORLANDO: Another member of the Magic making lemonade out of lemons. He has scored 35 points on 15-of-29 shooting with 14 rebounds in two games since the break. Has scored in double figures four times in his last eight games after doing it twice in his first 40. | – |
| 7 |  |
KYLE SINGLER, F, DETROIT: Somehow got the weekend off and looks like he is shaking off a little bit of rust with eight fouls and six turnovers in two games since return. If the Pistons can find a taker for Will Bynum, he should have pretty steady minutes the rest of the way. | 4 |
| 8 |  |
HARRISON BARNES, F, GOLDEN STATE: Playing like he is still on an extended All-Star break, shooting just 2-of-12 in two games since return. Coach Mark Jackson’s desire to end a six-game skid has cost him minutes, with shooting guard Klay Thompson at small forward alongside Steph Curry and Jarrett Jack. | 6 |
| 9 |  |
TYLER ZELLER, C, CLEVELAND: Low man at Rising Stars Challenge with just four points but doesn’t have the athleticism for that type of showcase. Has scored in double digits in back-to-back games for the first time in a month. Also having minutes hurt by small lineup scheme. | 8 |
| 10 |  |
MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, F, CHARLOTTE: Back in the rankings with 11 points, six boards, three assists and three blocks Wednesday vs. Detroit. It was his first double-digit scoring effort since Jan. 14 – including the Rising Stars – and he would not have gotten there without this very loud bucket. | – |
DROPOUTS: Jonas Valanciunas, C, Toronto (9); Andre Drummond, F-C, Detroit (10).
FIVE TO WATCH: Bernard James, C, Dallas; Brian Roberts, G, New Orleans; Thomas Robinson, F, Houston; Terrence Ross, G, Toronto; Alexey Shved, G, Minnesota.
PREVIOUS RANKINGS: Rookie | Power | Most Improved | MVP | Sixth Man
Chris Bernucca is the deputy editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.
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Are you kidding me?? bloated contracts to Travis Outlaw ( who was an amnesty pick up) and Jason Thomson who is a nice 3rd big and makes around league average? do some research before you post. everything else is spot on but those are not bloated contracts.