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NBA Rookie of the Year power rankings, Week 8: Jaren Jackson Jr. on the rise

By Jerran Anderson

PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - DECEMBER 2: Jaren Jackson Jr. #13 of the Memphis Grizzlies controls the ball against Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers at the Wells Fargo Center on December 2, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images
Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images /

Two months into the 2018-19 NBA season, the Rookie of the Year race is heating up, as some rookies are dropping down the list.

There’s been some good, some bad and some ugly already as the 2018-19 NBA season is rolling through December. The Rookie of the Year race is heating up as teams look to improve their records and overall status in their respective conferences.

The good: New York Knicks forward Kevin Knox is starting to find his rhythm. He’s averaging 15.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game over his last three games. He posted a season-high 26 points in an upset victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on the first day of December. As he starts to find his way now that he’s healthy again, look for him to emerge as a top rookie. He’s missed seven games this season with an ankle injury.

The bad: Phoenix Suns big man Deandre Ayton has slumped a bit in his bid as a top big man. He was taken out of the starting lineup, allegedly to send a message, in the Suns’ game against the Portland Trail Blazers on Thursday night. He finished with a plus/minus of -13 in their 108-86 loss.

The ugly: Atlanta Hawks point guard Trae Young is having a hellacious time shooting the basketball in his last three appearances. He’s shooting just 33.3 percent from the floor and 8.3 percent from 3-point range as the Hawks continue to plummet down the standings. Their current record is  5-20.

All in all, the NBA Rookie of the Year race is shaping up to be an interesting one, as Memphis Grizzlies big man Jaren Jackson Jr. continues to climb towards the top. Here’s a look at the Week 8 Rookie of the Year power rankings.