Rookie Rankings Golden State Warriors will need rookies to play big in playoffs

RANK	ROOKIE	RUNDOWN	RECENT
1		DAMIAN LILLARD, G, PORTLAND: The Blazers lead the NBA with nine wins by three points or less this season, which somewhat reflects on the kid with the ball. Seven straight 20-point games, including 35 with nine assists in the romp at San Antonio that featured 16 points in a four-minute span. Simply awesome.	1
2		ANTHONY DAVIS, F-C, NEW ORLEANS: Now that’s more like it. Three straight double-doubles – all against All-Star bigs – for the first time this season, averaging 18.3 points, 13.0 rebounds and 2.0 blocks while shooting 53 percent (25-of-47). However, best number of the week was his 36 minutes per game.	4
3		DION WAITERS, G, CLEVELAND: First game back from the flu was a matchup with Tony Allen, who did his usual shutdown job. Waiters bounced back with consecutive 20-point games and got to the line 23 times, a really good sign for a guy with a tendency to hoist. Absence of Kyrie Irving could have an impact.	3
4		BRADLEY BEAL, G, WASHINGTON: Has to take a tumble here after missing five straight games for the second time this season, this time due to a left ankle sprain. Perhaps his hard-nosed style has caught up with him. Needs to play to keep his spot here and let Wizards look at future backcourt.	2
5		KYLE SINGLER, F, DETROIT: His 17 points in Wednesday’s loss at Golden State was his second-best output of the season and gave a boost to a ho-hum stretch for the second straight week. Was just 6-of-21 for 20 points in 80 minutes over three games before breaking out against Harrison Barnes, not known for his defense.	8
6		HARRISON BARNES, F, GOLDEN STATE: Averaging double figures this month for the first time since November but has been erratic, with decidedly awful games sprinkled among good ones. Had a pair of nice dunks to punctuate his 13 points vs. the Pistons, but was outplayed by Singler, explaining his position here.	7
7		MOE HARKLESS, F, ORLANDO: Ouch. His 12 points vs. the Lakers was obscured by Dwight Howard’s parade to the free-throw line. For the week, his fouls (12) and turnovers (8) exceeded his points (19). Minutes and rebounds remain pretty steady but he has to do more, given his ideal situation.	5
8		DONATAS MOTIEJUNAS, F, HOUSTON: Still not among the top 20 rookies in scoring average, but that won’t last long. Rang up a season-high 19 points in Wednesday’s rout of Phoenix, turning a fair week into a good one. Hasn’t quite convinced coach Kevin McHale to ditch his small lineup.	10
9		JONAS VALACIUNAS, C, TORONTO: Welcome back. Big man averaged 10.7 points and 6.7 boards in three games this week, his best stretch since returning from injury six weeks ago. Andrea Bargnani’s season-ending injury can only help keep him here. Needs to play more, along with his buddy in the watch list below.	–
10		MICHAEL KIDD-GILCHRIST, F, CHARLOTTE: You have to wonder if he has hit the wall. After three straight games scoring in double digits, managed just 13 points and 14 boards in 73 minutes over three contests this week. And most of that came in rare win over Boston with Paul Pierce taking a powder.	6

DROPOUTS: Andrew Nicholson, F, Orlando (8).

FIVE TO WATCH: Jae Crowder, F, Dallas; John Jenkins, G, Atlanta; Thomas Robinson, F, Houston; Terrence Ross, G, Toronto; Mirza Teletovic, F, Brooklyn.

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