| RANK | ROOKIE | RUNDOWN | RECENT |
| 1 |  |
MICHAEL CARTER-WILLIAMS, G, PHILADELPHIA: Averaged 16.8 points, 5.8 assists and 5.5 rebounds in four games this week and statistically won his first showdown with Trey Burke. Of course, the reeling Sixers lost all four games, which begs the question: Can a player from a 65-loss team win Rookie of the Year? | 1 |
| 2 |  |
VICTOR OLADIPO, G, ORLANDO: Shook off a shooting slump and played extremely well (19.0 points, 23-of-35 shooting, 2.0 steals) in Orlando’s season-high three-game winning streak but took a small step back with a 2-of-11 in a loss to Memphis in which he was outplayed by the “Greek Sneak.” | 2 |
| 3 |  |
TREY BURKE, G, UTAH: Admitted he has hit the “Rookie Wall” and is playing through a sore back. His numbers this week were not great, but the Jazz followed four consecutive losses with three straight wins, their longest streak since Burke took over the point in mid-November. | 3 |
| 4 |  |
NICK CALATHES, G, MEMPHIS: No rookie is under more pressure right now, and the “Greek Sneak” is averaging 14.7 points. 4.9 assists and 4.7 rebounds while Grizz have gone 4-3 without Mike Conley. “What he’s doing right now in leading this ballclub is absolutely tremendous,” coach Dave Joerger said. | 7 |
| 5 |  |
KELLY OLYNYK, C, BOSTON: Best week of the season by far. Averaged 11.5 points and 9.0 rebounds in four games and needed just one more board to have three double-doubles in that span, all while coming off the bench. You can see him and Jared Sullinger in this frontcourt for a long time. | – |
| 6 |  |
NATE WOLTERS, G, MILWAUKEE: Averaged 13.3 points, 4.3 assists and 6.3 rebounds while making 17-of-35 shots over three games. Yes, they were all losses. Also sank 4-of-9 threes, ending a 1-of-23 arc slump dating to Nov. 1. The fact that he is starting illustrates what a mess the Bucks are. | 8 |
| 7 |  |
TIM HARDAWAY JR., G, NEW YORK: After averaging 18.4 points in previous five games, managed just 8.2 points on 32 percent shooting in next five. Could be under pressure to produce after the break with J.R. Smith nursing a broken cheekbone and Iman Shumpert slowed by a strained hip flexor. | 4 |
| 8 |  |
C.J. MCCOLLUM, G, PORTLAND: Here’s the good news: Earning solid bench minutes with 13.5 points on 60 percent shooting – including 10-of-17 from the arc – in his last four games. Here’s the bad news: The Blazers went just 1-3 in that stretch and dropped to fifth seed in West. | – |
| 9 |  |
RYAN KELLY, F, LA LAKERS: Given where the Lakers are headed, there’s no reason not to play him. Given that he averaged 36.5 minutes, 20.5 points and 7.0 rebounds in two home wins and 17 minutes, 1.5 points and 1.5 rebounds in two home losses, that might be reason to play him, too. | 5 |
| 10 |  |
MASON PLUMLEE, C, BROOKLYN: His minutes get marginalized by Brooklyn’s small ball surge, which makes games like his 22 points and 13 boards against Anthony Davis and New Orleans all the more astounding. Given the team age and injury issues, where would they be without him? | 9 |
DROPOUTS: Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee (6); Cody Zeller, C, Charlotte (10).
FIVE TO WATCH: Anthony Bennett, F. Cleveland; Gorgui Dieng, F-C, Minnesota; Rudy Gobert, F-C, Utah; Ben McLemore, G, Sacramento; Tony Snell, G, Chicago.
OTHER RANKINGS: MVP | Most Improved | Sixth Man | Power
Chris Bernucca is the managing editor of SheridanHoops.com. His columns appear Monday during the season. You can follow him on Twitter.
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