NBA Rookie Ladder: Cade Cunningham is pushing for the top spot

We’ve been into the NBA season for more than a month and rookies are starting to find their footing at the next level.

Some hot starts have cooled, some surprising starters have returned to Earth, and the other freshman players are still establishing their roles on their team.

And then there’s general No 1 pick Cade Cunningham, who missed the first four games of his rookie season with an ankle injury before needing a couple of games to shake off the rust and adjust, now looks like the player he was predicted to be.

He’s in hot pursuit of the Rookie Ladder lead this week, putting pressure on some of his classmates who have been stealing early-year headlines.

Where is Cunningham after all? Take a look and find out below.

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2021-22 NBA Rookie Ladder

5. Jalen Green, Houston Rockets

Statistics: 14.0 PTS, 3.1 REB, 2.3 AST, 38.2 FG%, 27.8 3P%

Best games: October 24 vs BOS – 30 points (11-18 FG, 8-10 3PT), four rebounds, three assists, two blocks, one robbery

One thing to know: As you would expect for pick 2 overall playing for one of the worst teams in the league, Green is seeing the best defender of every team.

According to NBA statistics, his four most frequent matches so far in the season (in terms of match minutes and share of assets) have been Avery Bradley, Luguentz Dort, Marcus Smart and Mikal Bridges. While Bradley is past his prime, he and Smart are both still two-time All-round Defensive Team members, and Dort and Bridges are widely known as two of the best perimeter defenders in the league. current match.

Green is struggling in several areas seen as weak points going into his rookie season – like consistency and efficiency in shooting, shot selection and defense – but neither is he. has a lot of help around him and is playing without a real point guard to put him on for better looks.

While Green didn’t have the big start of Rookie of the Year that people were most looking forward to, he still has some extremely promising light and it would feel wrong to leave him out of the top 5 on the scale. This is because of the attention he receives from opposing defenses on a nightly basis.

The best is yet to come from the 19-year-old.

4. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder

Statistics: 10.8 PTS, 7.3 REB, 5.8 AST, 1.0 STL, 40.7 FG%, 28.6 3P%

Best games: October 27 vs LAL – 18 points (7-13 FG, 2-5 3PT), 10 assists, two rebounds, one steal

One thing to know: Giddey is the best passer in this draft class.

The Australian keeper has become known as a stellar player after leading the NBL with 7.4 assists per game last season, taking home Rookie of the Year. Early in his NBA career, he looked like a padlock for the assist title among his rookie classmates.

Giddey has 105 assists across 18 games, the most by a mile among freshmen (Davion Mitchell is second with 68). With his hot start as a passer and assist, Giddey has positioned himself in the elite corporate position in NBA history.

The only other teenagers to tally at least 100 assists and 100 rebounds in their first 20 NBA games? LeBron James and LaMelo Ball.

When it comes to passing passes like this below, it’s not hard to see how gifted Giddey is when it comes to assisting his teammates.

3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons

Statistics: 13.1 PTS, 6.2 REB, 4.9 AST, 1.2 STL, 33.9 FG%, 25.0 3P%

Best games: Nov 19 vs GSW – 19 points (6-12 FG, 3-8 3PT), six assists, six bounces, three steals, two blocks

One thing to know: Cunningham is just getting started.

The ankle injury held the No. 1 spot for the first four games of his NBA career, and he doesn’t look 100% on his return either. Some really poor shooting performances – such as the 1-vs-21 that started his career in year 3 – destroyed his division early on, but Cunningham is starting to find his chance.

He went through 5 games where he averaged 16.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.8 assists and 2.0 steals per game, looking like the #1 pick. scored his first double in his rookie class, scoring 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists against the Los Angeles Lakers, demonstrating his do-it-all ability.

He’s since had a couple of poorer shooting performances, which is typical for a rookie, but Cunningham still looks more ready with each passing game.

The 20-year-old may have started the Rookie of the Year race after the 8th ball, but he is eager to chase the award from the front.

2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors

Statistics: 14.8 PTS, 8.4 REB, 3.3 AST, 1.0 STL, 48.6 FG%, 26.3 3P%

Best games: October 22 at BOS – 25 points (11-17 FG, 1-2 3PT), 13 rebounds, two assists

One thing to know: Barnes is the only rookie to rank in the top 5 for points (1st), rebounds (thick), assists (5th), steals (5th) and saves (5th) per game. .

The number 4 overall has enjoyed a brilliant start to his career, scoring two 20-point doubles in his first seven games. Since missing a couple of matches due to a thumb sprain, the 20-year-old has cooled down a bit, but it’s also worth noting that in the meantime, All-Star striker Pascal Siakam has returned to the squad. .

Barnes is still affecting the game in other ways with his versatile, classy defense, dribbling effort and good assists, but his scoring and efficiency have dwindled. He went into an early-season battle with Evan Mobley for Rookie of the Year and had a chance to win some spots with Mobley sidelined, but Barnes didn’t do much to capitalize on it and now, Cunningham is right up front. his back.

The rookie forward is still brilliant and plays a vital role for the Raptors, but he hasn’t kept the top spot this week.

1. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers

Statistics: 14.6 PTS, 8.0 REB, 2.5 AST, 1.6 BLK, 1.0 STL, 49.4 FG%, 30.8 3P%

Best games: October 23 vs ATL – 17 points (7-12 FG), 11 rebounds, four saves, two steals, one assist

One thing to know: Mobley is one of four players in the NBA this season – joins Giannis Antetokounmpo, Anthony Davis and Karl Anthony-Towns – averaging at least 14 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block and 1 steal per game.

Of course, for now, rookies are averaging the fewest points per game in the group by a considerable margin, but nonetheless this is an impressive company.

Mobley was a very important thing for the Cavaliers before his injury, making Cleveland look like a competitive team in the Eastern Conference. According to NBA statistics, when Mobley is on the floor, the Cavaliers have a defensive index of 99.6, which will be the best defense in the NBA. When he’s off the floor, their defensive rating rises to 108.8, which would be the last 10 team defense in the NBA.

Mobley’s ability to defend his belt but also step outside his belt and hold onto his belt made it a seamless transition between him and the franchise’s other big man. Cleveland, Jarrett Allen.

As of November 16, the 20-year-old is expected to be out for two to four weeks with an elbow sprain, which gives other rookies time to catch up on the prize race, but for So far no one has been able to do it.

Honorable mention

Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic: Wagner has been the all-around good for a struggling Magic team, averaging 12.4 points per game while providing some sketchy play and defense.

Chris Duarte, Indiana Pacers: Duarte has cooled down after his brilliant start but the rookie is also facing a role change, now coming on from the bench when Caris LeVert returns. He’s still averaging 13.3 points while shooting a sharp 37.9 percent from the No. 3.

David Mitchell, Sacramento Kings: Mitchell breaks down this list strictly to protect himself, take on difficult missions for Kings like Stephen Curry, Donovan Mitchell, Chris Paul and Damian Lillard.

Herb Jones, New Orleans Pelicans: Jones was also praised for his defensive ability, which provided a skill set that not many other Pelicans players possessed. According to NBA statistics, New Orleans is 22.0 points better out of 100 in possession when the expert defends on the floor.

NBA rookie rankings 2021-22

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