NBA Rookie Rankings Jabari Parker still leads Andrew Wiggins

When Milwaukee Bucks forward Jabari Parker learned he had won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for November, he wasn’t planning any celebrations.

“It’s all good and dandy,” said Parker, who averaged 12.2 points and 5.9 rebounds for the surprisingly competitive Bucks. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful or ungrateful, but it’s only one month.

“It’s just because I’m insecure, that’s all. … That’s the honest truth. You may not be able to brag about the same things a month (later).”

Parker’s honesty and perspective is refreshing, especially in a time where stars are quickly and falsely christened. But he should know that he is now in the driver’s seat for Rookie of the Year.

Since the NBA began selecting Rookies of the Month from each conference in 2001, only two times has the Rookie of the Year not won Rookie of the Month in November.

In the 2002-03 season, the first Rookies of the Month were Caron Butler and Drew Gooden. The eventual Rookie of the Year was Amar’e Stoudemire. In the 2006-07 campaign, the November Rookies of the Month were Adam Morrison (!) and Rudy Gay, both of whom were outclassed by Brandon Roy.

The last seven Rookies of the Year have started their campaign by bolting out of the gate, illustrating that capturing the attention of the voters and creating early buzz is a solid path to winning the award.

Consider Philadelphia 76ers guard Michael Carter-Williams, last season’s winner. Carter-Williams won Player of the Week in his first week as a pro, leading a tanking team to an unfathomable 3-0 start with precocious all-around play. While there were times where his play dropped off, his strong start kept him firmly in the conversation.

Parker seems headed down a similar path, as does Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins, who won West honors. The two have been linked and compared to each other since their pre-teen years, so it seems right that they should jockey for Rookie of the Year.

“How highly touted they were in high school – even in grade school coming up – they were both No. 1, No. 2 and just switching on and off their whole careers,” Minnesota rookie Zach LaVine said recently. “I feel like it might be like thar even (in the NBA) because they’re just going to be going at each other.”

So, one month into the season, has the Rookie of the Year already been whittled down to a two-man race? We’ll see. But at least that’s better than a one-man race.

On to the rankings.

1. JABARI PARKER, F, MILWAUKEE: The Bucks have lost three in a row, but don’t blame Parker, who shot 14 free throws with nine boards and five assists against Houston and proved he wasn’t star-struck with 22 points (11-of-15 FGs) and eight rebounds against Cleveland. No rookie has taken more shots, which makes his .474 field-goal percentage all the more impressive. LAST WEEK: 1

2. ANDREW WIGGINS, F, MINNESOTA: He hasn’t done much since edging Parker in their first NBA showdown. In four games this week, Wiggins averaged 8.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists and sat for most of Minnesota’s loss at Portland. Even his 3-point shooting (2-of-6) dropped off. He needs to pick it up because there are some serious footsteps charging from right behind. LAST WEEK: 2

3. K.J. MCDANIELS, F, PHILADELPHIA: No rookie had a better week. McDaniels averaged 14.3 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.7 blocks and 1.7 steals in three games, and the Sixers finally broke through with a win. He was a little trigger-happy from the arc (5-of-18) but is still at 36 percent from distance. Why he continues to come off the bench is a mystery only Sam Hinkie can explain. LAST WEEK: 3

4. NIKOLA MIROTIC, F, CHICAGO: Maybe he needed some time to get his footing, or to gain coach Tom Thibodeau’s trust. But he has it now. In four games, he averaged 12.7 points and 9.0 rebounds, collecting two double-doubles while making 15-of-27 shots, including 4-of-10 from the arc. His production has been a godsend for the Bulls, who have been without Taj Gibson for two weeks. LAST WEEK: 9

5. BOJAN BOGDANOVIC, F, BROOKLYN: He took a huge tumble a week ago after a stretch of bad games but shook it off with three straight double-digit outings, averaging 12.3 points on 16-of-33 shooting. BoBo also found other ways to help, averaging 5.0 rebounds. The Nets appear back on track with two straight wins and are much better when their rookie is contributing. LAST WEEK: 7

6. KOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU, F, HOUSTON: Like McDaniels, another newbie who finds ways to produce despite a clearly defined bench role. Went for a dozen points in wins over Milwaukee and Memphis, the first time he has scored in double figures in consecutive games. His playmaking remains a huge plus, but so does his questionable 3-point shooting. Wasn’t he supposed to be able to shoot? LAST WEEK: 6

7. SHABAZZ NAPIER, G, MIAMI: Not a great week for the little guy with three single-digit games, including a 19-minute donut at New York, and 1-of-9 shooting from 3-point range. He continues to get consistent minutes despite Dwyane Wade’s return to action and did do a better job of limiting his turnovers with just one in 76 minutes. But he has to be more consistent. LAST WEEK: 4

8. NERLENS NOEL, F-C, PHILADELPHIA: He caught Sixers coach Brett Brown off guard Monday when he scratched himself with a sore hip 20 minutes before tip vs. the Spurs. He was back in the lineup for Wednesday’s win at Minnesota and had two more steals, adding to his rookie-leading total. But he has just two free throws in his last 132 minutes. At 41 percent, that might be a good thing. LAST WEEK: 5

9. ELFRID PAYTON, G, ORLANDO: In 10 games as a starter, he averaged 6.0 points and 5.9 assists on 33 percent shooting in 27.5 minutes. In 11 games as a reserve, he is averaging 7.3 points and 4.2 assists on 44 percent shooting in 21.6 minutes. Coach Jacque Vaughn seems comfortable with Victor Oladipo and Evan Fournier as his starting backcourt, and Payton seems comfortable as a sub. Airballed his first two free throws Wednesday night. LAST WEEK: 8

10. ZACH LAVINE, G, MINNESOTA: We thought he would be a one-week wonder with the return of Mo Williams but he dropped 28 points – the second-best by any rookie this season – in a road win over the Lakers. LaVine is still wildly inconsistent, as his donut two nights later in Portland revealed. But for now he remains in coach Flip Saunders’ rotation – and in our rankings. LAST WEEK: 10