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NBA Awards Watch: Week 5

By Ben Nadeau

November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 24, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) returns the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Brooklyn Nets guard Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (24) returns the ball against Boston Celtics guard Marcus Smart (36) during the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week: 1, –)
Despite a 1-2 week, Karl-Anthony Towns remains in our top spot for a variety of reasons:

  1. Towns has made last year’s hapless Timberwolves stay competitive in nearly every game thus far.
  2. Towns took Round 1 against Jahlil Okafor in what will hopefully become one of the league’s best rivalries. Never mind that Towns got in foul trouble early, played only 19 minutes, and shot just 3-for-7 because he won, which is far less than Okafor can say at this point.

However, even when Towns loses, as he did against the Orlando Magic last Wednesday in overtime, he stuffs that stat sheet, taking over the game and blocking a ridiculous six shots, including one on an almost sure game-winning layup.

Towns’ Line of the Week: 11/18 vs. ORL — 21 points, 12 rebounds, 6 blocks, 4 TOs, 8-12 FG%
Week Grade: B

More from NBA Awards Watch

2. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks (Last Week: 2,  –)
While the rest of the world can’t decide on a nickname for the Latvian sensation, the New York Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis has continued to be the most exciting thing at the Garden since Linsanity gripped the city in 2012.

Although the Knicks are just 8-7, Porzingis has made the Knicks fans want to watch again and his immediate surge to the surface might just be the difference between sneaking into the playoffs or not come April.

It’s too bad that the All-Star Game isn’t in Manhattan this year or we might seriously start seeing people carrying pitchforks and torches down 8th Avenue when the enigmatic rookie doesn’t end up as an Eastern Conference selection in a few months.

Porzingis’ Line of the Week: 11/21 vs. HOU — 24 points, 14 rebounds, 2 assists, 7 blocks, 3 TOs, 8-12 FG%
Week Grade: B+

3. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets (Last Week: –, Up 1)
Speaking of those pitchforks and torches, listen, let me explain myself: Since Hollis-Jefferson joined the Nets’ starting lineup on Nov. 6t Brooklyn hasn’t looked as downright awful and, I promise you, that’s an incredible testament to the rookie’s immediate impact.

Although Hollis-Jefferson has a massive problem leaving his feet with nowhere to go, the chaos, excitement, and scrappy, fearless defending has made the rookie a fan favorite in Brooklyn already.

Besides, he has three wins, Jahlil, count ‘em, three! I know I can officially be labeled as an Okafor-hater, but that honestly couldn’t be further from the truth. Between him and Nerlens Noel, the Sixers had the opportunity to pick up their first win a couple times in this Week 5 frame. However, since it’s in the Sixers’ best interest to lose every night, I’m unlikely to waver for now.

Here’s a deal — if Okafor and the Sixers win their first game in 2015 before Dec. 3 (their first in 2014), I’ll stick him back in the top three where he belongs. But if Okafor can’t help the Sixers be even a little bit better than the awful squad they put out in 2014-15, then can he really be Rookie of the Year?

Hollis-Jefferson’s Line of the Week: 11/22 vs. BOS — 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 blocks, 1 block, 1 TO, 2-3 FG%
Week Grade: B

Bounced Out: Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers

Honorable Mentions: Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons; Montrezl Harrell, Houston Rockets; D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers; Justise Winslow, Miami Heat; Jahlil Okafor, Philadelphia 76ers; T.J. McConnell, Philadelphia 76ers; Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

Week 1: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 2: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 3: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 4: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Week 5: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Next: Destroyer of Worlds