2017-18 NBA Rookie of the Year ladder: Week 10 power rankings

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5. Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics

Last rank: No. 3 (↓2)

The Boston Celtics are 7-5 in the month of December. They’re still 26-9 with the best record in the Eastern Conference, but there’s room for improvement. When it comes to rookie Jayson Tatum, his numbers are interesting to look at when it comes to Boston’s five losses.

Tatum is averaging 11.8 points on 41.9 percent shooting from the floor and 26.3 percent from 3-point land in the Celtics’ five losses in the month of December. It’s interesting considering he’s shooting 49.5 percent from 3-point range this season. His lack of efficiency could come from his rebounding, however.

He put up the third double-double of his career (19 points, 10 rebounds) in a 102-93 victory last Saturday night over the Memphis Grizzlies. Ironically, Tatum has a combined 10 rebounds in their last two losses.

Their early winning streak is over as the young guys around Kyrie Irving are still figuring out how to be consistent in the rotation. Tatum has been a consistent scorer, now he just needs to apply that consistency to rebounding. He’s got the length to snag a few rebounds or two, he just needs to put on a bit of muscle to bang down low.