2016 NBA Rookie Ladder: Midseason Grades

Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) dribbles in the second quarter against the Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 10, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

If you’ve watched a fair amount of the NBA this season you’d know that a lot of the most impressive rookies have been big men.

With that being said I’ll start with Jokic, who’s emerged as one of the more exciting offensive centers in the league thanks to his inside-outside scoring ability.

He shoots a high percentage from the field overall (54.3 percent) and he even knocks down three-pointers with relative consistency (36.0 percent on treys).

Jokic went for 18 points Sunday against the Indiana Pacers, a playoff-bound team in the much improved Eastern Conference. He’s a monster already and I for one have raised his ceiling as an NBA player.

Grade: B+

Next: Emergence In Chicago