NBA Rookie Ladder Week 4: The top two picks make a statement

HOUSTON, TEXAS - NOVEMBER 10: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons controls the ball ahead of Jalen Green #0 of the Houston Rockets during the second half at Toyota Center on November 10, 2021 in Houston, Texas. 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 Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

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Josh Giddey #3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder passes against Cade Cunningham #2 and Killian Hayes #7 of the Detroit Pistons (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /

Week 4 NBA Rookie Ladder: 4. Josh Giddey

4. player. 149. . . Previous: 4th. Josh Giddey

9.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.3 steals

Shooting splits: .377/.289/.615

Hanging on by a thread, Josh Giddey continues to stuff the stat sheet. Week in and week out he is among the league leaders in rookie rebounding (third) and assists (first), but leaves much more to be desired.

Unlike the next person on this list, he is also given much less of the burden to create as he plays alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Giddey needs to improve his efficiency in order to keep up with the scoring threats that join him on this list. It is unfair, in most classes, to hold players to this standard, but the class is competing at such a high level on a night-to-night basis, that it is required to stay on top.

Week 4 NBA Rookie Ladder: 3. Cade Cunningham

. . Previous: 5th. Cade Cunningham. 3. player. 64

11.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists

Shooting splits: .315/.234/.929

Clutch is a word that is already being thrown around plenty with Cade Cunningham, and it is easy to see why. His numbers are not jumping off the page at you (though they are steadily improving), but he has a clear feel for the moment.

He dropped his first 20-point game on Jalen Green, shrugging off whatever little trash talk the number two overall pick tried to throw his way. He struggled against the Toronto Raptors for much of the game but took it to OG Anunoby and Scottie Barnes down the stretch to secure the win. If his level of comfort continues to improve, he will be quickly coming for the upper echelon of this list.