NBA Rookie Power Rankings 2013: Michael Carter-Williams Shines Early
By Nathan Giese
Throughout the course of the 2013-14 season, HoopsHabit will be presenting an NBA rookie power ranking, letting you see who has the best shot at winning the Rookie of the Year Award at season’s end.
We’re almost a full week into the NBA season and it’s been, well, interesting to say the least. Most importantly, we’ve had nearly a full week to see which rookies are ready to shine and which aren’t living up to the preseason hype.
Precaution: rankings were set before the conclusion of Saturday’s games.
Here’s the first official NBA Rookie Power Ranking for the 2013-14 season:
1. Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
Despite not yet putting up huge numbers, Victor Oladipo retains the top ranking from the final preseason Rookie Power Rankings.
In three games in this young season, Oladipo is only shooting 37 percent from the field but he’s a consistent floor presence for the Magic. Coming off the bench so far this season, Oladipo is posting 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and nearly two steals per game in 30 minutes of action per contest.
Orlando is going with the veteran Jameer Nelson as the team’s starting point guard and playing very good basketball right now, making Oladipo’s attempt to start that much harder. However, the Magic have started to test the trade waters with Nelson (reportedly asking for a first round pick in return, which is a lofty goal). If Nelson is traded soon, Oladipo is the likely starting point guard for the Magic and his production could evolve with his new role.
2. Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
One of the best debuts ever. Well done, sir. (NBA.com photo)
“Tankadelphia”? Not if Michael Carter-Williams has anything to say about it. In one of the most sensational rookie debuts in recent history, MCW posted 22 points on 6-of-10 shooting (4-of-6 from 3-point range), 12 assists, nine steals and seven rebounds. Not only that, those numbers came against the defending back-to-back NBA Champion Miami Heat.
It was a coming out party for MCW who is expected to lead the very young, not very talented 76ers this season as a rookie. While most everybody expects Philadelphia to be part of the tank party in the NBA, MCW’s production could keep them above water (for now, anyway).
3. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Detroit Pistons
A name not many expected to be on the list of top performing rookies is Kentavious Caldwell-Pope of the Detroit Pistons. KCP is coming off the bench for the Pistons and producing in his 20-plus minutes of action.
Pope is currently averaging 11 points on 42 percent shooting from the field. He’s not very efficient beyond that, however, shooting just 25 percent from 3-point range and average about one-half rebounds and one-and-half assists per game. If anything, Pope is proving he can be a scoring presence for the Pistons off the bench, but he needs to prove he can do more than score to maintain his name on the list.
4. Nate Wolters, Milwaukee Bucks
Call it a homer pick if you want, but Nate Wolters is taking his opportunity with the Bucks and succeeding. Milwaukee was already down one guard in Luke Ridnour to start the season and starting point guard Brandon Knight hurt his hamstring early in the first quarter against the New York Knicks. Coach Larry Drew turned to rookie Wolters to step up in a must-have situation.
Milwaukee trailed by 26 at one point in the game but Wolters helped lead the charge and give the Bucks a one-point lead before ultimately falling. Wolters did the same thing on Friday against the Celtics, this time coming away with a victory.
Wolters is averaging over 11 points and five assists and below two turnovers per game. He’s stepped into a role few expected him to be in at this point of the season and has shown he’s ready for the big time. His minutes may go down once Knight and Ridnour return but he’s proving he belongs in the regular rotation.
5. Victor Faverani, Boston Celtics
Not the forward from the Celtics anybody expected to be in the Rookie of the Year discussion, but Victor Faverani is proving to be a great find for Boston.
Many expected Kelly Olynyk, the Celtics’ first round selection in the 2013 NBA Draft, to be the starter this season at center. Faverani came in and earned his way into the starting spot and provides a bigger, more physical presence than Olynyk.
Against the Bucks on Friday night, Faverani dropped 12 points and hauled in 18 rebounds against Larry Sanders. He dominated the physical Sanders all game and proved he’s not somebody to take lightly.
Nobody really knew who Faverani was before this season. If he keeps up this production, he’ll make sure nobody ever forgets his name.
Other Rookies in Contention:
* Ben McLemore, Sacramento Kings – the heavy favorite for the ROY award before the season has not had a steady go of it so far this season. He can barely see the floor for Sacramento, playing only 15 minutes per game with an average of three points per contest. He’s had a forgettable start to the season.
* It’s been a rough overall start for rookies. Olynyk and McLemore can’t see the floor long enough to have an impact, Trey Burke and Otto Porter Jr. are still injured and Nerlens Noel is officially out for the season. It’s going to be an interesting season overall.
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