NBA Rookie Ladder Week 9 Power Rankings: Protocol issues arise

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CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 15: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. 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 Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

Welcome back to the weekly rookie ladder update! Each week this season we will look at the race for the top five slots on the Rookie of the Year ballot, cutting the recording period every Sunday.

Despite the fact that the most common word in NBA parlance this week is protocols, the Rookie of the Year race is still arguably the most entertaining award race at the moment. Unfortunately, one of them is directly involved this week.

In week nine of the NBA Rookie Ladder power rankings, protocols and absences threaten the current front runner.

Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 5. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder

5. player. 149. . . Previous: . Josh Giddey

10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists

Shooting splits: .392/.242/.700

After a one-week absence from the ladder, Josh Giddey stormed back into the rankings with a vengeance. In a loss against the New Orleans Pelicans this week, Giddey posted a line of 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.

In his next game, he grabbed 18 rebounds, dished 10 assists, and tallied eight points. Night in and night out he is a triple-double threat. While this is not the same version of the player that used to do that for the Thunder, Giddey impacts the game in a variety of ways.

While the top four of the ladder have established themselves, Giddey remains the last player making the best case to make it onto the list. He was the Rookie of the Month for November and is well on his way to a repeat performance. For now, though, the Eastern Conference rookies are just a little bit better.