NBA Rookie Rankings Week 18 Donatas Motiejunas starting for Rockets

RANK	ROOKIE	RUNDOWN	RECENT
1		DAMIAN LILLARD, G, PORTLAND: Four straight games with 20-plus points and 50-plus percent shooting, four straight months as the West’s top rookie. Yawn. The biggest impact made by Portland’s point guard came when he joined the stance against bullying, which knows no race, religion or gender. Take the pledge.	1
2		BRADLEY BEAL, G, WASHINGTON: After dropping a team season-high 29 points with 11 boards on the Knicks, he said, “My confidence is sky high.” Unfortunately, he was laid low two nights later with a sprained ankle vs. Philly that put him on crutches. Hurry back, kid. We want more.	2
3		DION WAITERS, G, CLEVELAND: More bad timing as East’s top rookie for February hospitalized by severe stomach bug along with fellow rook Tyler Zeller. After clanging at less than 40 percent through first three months, Waiters is averaging 15.8 points and shooting nearly 52 percent since Feb. 1.	3
4		ANTHONY DAVIS, F-C, NEW ORLEANS: Returned from shoulder injury with 17 points, 15 boards and four blocks vs. Orlando – then let Tobias Harris steal a key rebound off a FT miss. Totaled 13-6-2 in 17 minutes vs. Lakers, then sat fourth quarter as 20-point vanished. Just play the guy, will you, Monty?	4
5		MOE HARKLESS, F, ORLANDO: Now up to 10 consecutive games in double figures, giving Magic stability at small forward spot. In four games this week, he shot 60 percent from the field, made 6-of-12 3-pointers and filled the boxscore with 17 rebounds, three blocks and six steals.	5
6		MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, F, CHARLOTTE: Shook off donut at LA last week to average 13.0 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals in four games this week, finally putting together extended strong stretch we haven’t seen since December. Would love to see him get back to attacking the rim more as he was earlier this season.	9
7		HARRISON BARNES, F, GOLDEN STATE: Apparently happy to be home as he averaged 13.0 points on 9-of-17 shooting in two home games after managing 8.0 points on 16-of-37 shooting on five-game trip. Home/road splits had been pretty even this season. Keep in mind Warriors play 14 of last 20 in Oakland.	8
8		KYLE SINGLER, F, DETROIT: With Greg Monroe out, played a season-high 42 minutes Wednesday vs. New York and had 13 points, eight boards and two steals, his best all-around game in a while. Never really lights it up but has become a dependable starter/rotation player for Lawrence Frank.	7
9		ANDREW NICHOLSON, F, ORLANDO: Outclassed in matchup with top pick Anthony Davis and production slipping as he gives minutes to veteran stretch-4 Al Harrington. With frontcourt of Nicholson-Harkless-Nikola Vucevic and shooting guards Arron Afflalo and Tobias Harris, Magic need to draft a point guard.	6
10		DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS, F, HOUSTON: Cooled a little with just 15 points in his last two games after averaging 13.7 points in his previous three contests. Splitting minutes at power forward with fellow rook Thomas Robinson, but his stretch game fits Houston’s drive-and-kick style much better.	–

DROPOUTS: Kim English, G, Detroit (10)

FIVE TO WATCH: John Jenkins, G, Atlanta; Meyers Leonard, C, Portland; Arnett Moultrie, F, Philadelphia; Mirza Teletovic, F, Brooklyn; Jonas Valanciunas, C, Toronto.

Chris Bernucca is the deputy editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.