2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 8 power rankings

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4. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last rank: No. 3 (↓1)

The Boston Celtics own the best record in the NBA at 22-5 and are getting every team’s best game. That hasn’t slowed down rookie Jayson Tatum from showing he belongs in the league. Tatum is averaging is 14.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game in 27 starts for Boston this season.

The rookie forward out of Duke is shooting 51 percent from the field and 51.3 percent from 3-point range, an impressive stat line for a rookie. He’s scored in double figures in all but three games for the Celtics in 2017-18. He recorded the second double-double (17 points, 10 rebounds) of his career in Boston’s victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night.

As the season grinds on, Tatum has retained his shooting rhythm and is leading the league in 3-point percentage — not a bad option to have with Kyrie Irving, Jaylen Brown and Al Horford on the court as well.