David Blatt Makes His Move In The NBA Awards Watch

Rookie of the Year

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves (Last Week: 1, –)
For some reason, Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t played more than 30 minutes in a game since Nov. 20 and has sat on the bench during many of the recent Timberwolves’ fourth quarters. Strange, yes, but perhaps Towns is finally hitting that inevitable rookie wall.

The Timberwolves, still, are hanging around eighth place in the Western Conference at 8-10 and most of that is thanks to Towns’ immediate contributions. It’s likely that we’re seeing less and less of Towns so he’s not burnt out of the NBA lifestyle and schedule by the All-Star Break, but for now, we’re bummed.

However, future us is very excited that this is just the tip of the Karl-Anthony iceberg.

Towns’ Line of the Week: 11/29 vs. LAC — 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals, 1 block, 1 TO, 8-13 FG%
Week Grade: B

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• Way too early predictions for the 2024 Most Improved Player Award
• Way too early All-NBA team predictions for 2023-2024
• Way too early predictions for each NBA Award for the 2023–24 season

2. Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks (Last Week: 2, Up –)
On Tuesday night, ESPN dropped this TV teaser for the ever-so-mediocre marquee matchup between the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets, featuring, you guessed it, Kristaps Porzingis and a Latvian rap song.

The fact that they’re selling this entire game based on a rookie who has played less than 20 games should tell you two things — that these two franchises don’t have much going on otherwise and that Porzingis is the real deal.

If you don’t have League Pass and want to watch the sensation yourself, tune on Friday because it may be one of the only chances you’ll get.

Porzingis’ Line of the Week: 11/29 vs. HOU — 20 points, 13 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, 2 TOs, 8-13 FG%
Week Grade: B+

3. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Brooklyn Nets (Last Week: 3, –)
Look out, world! The Nets have won four in a row at home and earned their fifth win in total after Tuesday’s thrilling win against the Phoenix Suns. What’s not to love about Rondae Hollis-Jefferson? He teaches his teammates how to use hoverboards and then locks up the opposing team’s best shooters at the end of games.

Although it may seem small now, Hollis-Jefferson’s addition to the Nets’ starting lineup has improved this team tenfold. With a winnable game against the Knicks on Friday and a potential revenge opportunity versus the Warriors, Brooklyn should be salivating at their chances to keep their first winning streak of the season going.

Hollis-Jefferson’s Line of the Week: 11/11 vs. OKC — 11 points, 11 rebounds, 1 assist
Week Grade: B

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
Week 6: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

Next: Destroyer of Worlds