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NBA Rookie Rankings 2/9/14: Lakers’ Ryan Kelly Joins The Rookie of the Year Race

By Nathan Giese

Feb 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) shoots in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Ryan Kelly (4) shoots in the first quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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4. Tim Hardaway Jr., New York Knicks

Feb 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Evan Fournier (94) guards New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 7, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Denver Nuggets shooting guard Evan Fournier (94) guards New York Knicks shooting guard Tim Hardaway Jr. (5) during the second half at Madison Square Garden. The New York Knicks won the game 117-90. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

The one rookie on the Rookie Rankings whose team has a legitimate shot at a playoff spot is Tim Hardaway Jr. After spending a week at the No. 3 slot Hardaway falls back to his usually No. 4 slot if only because the man ahead of him has a better body of work. He was rewarded for a tremendous week last week but now it’s back to the grind.

Hardaway might have stayed at three this week if it weren’t for a 4-for-19 shooting effort from 3-point range. For a man who specializes in the long ball that’s not going to cut it. Also any time your team loses to the Bucks you deserve to be dropped in something.