NBA Rookie of the Year race is wide open
No. 1 overall pick Anthony Davis of the Hornets has been hampered by injuries. But other first-year players have stepped up to become contenders for the award.
Before this season commenced, New Orleans Hornets center Anthony Davis was the overwhelming favorite to be the NBA Rookie of the Year.
No matter who was prognosticating — coaches, players, general managers, scouts, media, bloggers, fans — Davis was the pick.
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RATING THE ROOKIES
TIER 1
G Damian Lillard, Portland: 19 games-19 starts; 37.9 minutes; 19.3 points; 3.3 rebounds; 6.3 assists; 1.3 steals
F Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte: 18-18; 27.4 mpg; 10.8 ppg; 6.3 rpg; 1.7 apg, 1.3 blocks; 1.0 spg
G Dion Waiters, Cleveland: 17-17; 32.0 mpg; 15.2 ppg; 2.3 rpg; 3.4 apg; 1.2 spg
C Anthony Davis, New Orleans: 6-6; 28.3 mpg; 16.0 ppg; 8.3 rpg; 2.2 bpg; 1.0 spg
F Harrison Barnes, Golden State: 19-19; 27.6 mpg; 9.6 ppg; 4.7 rpg; 1.5 apg
TIER 2
G Alexey Shved, Minnesota: 18-0; 24.8 mpg; 10.6 ppg; 2.7 rpg; 3.6 apg
C Jonas Valanciunas, Toronto: 20-20; 23.4 mpg; 8.6 ppg; 5.5 rpg; 1.2 apg; 1.2 bpg
G Bradley Beal, Washington: 16-14; 27.1 mpg; 11.4 ppg; 3.2 rpg; 1.9 apg
F Andre Drummond, Detroit: 21-0; 17.9 mpg; 6.4 ppg; 6.4 rpg; 1.2 apg
F John Henson, Milwaukee: 13-5; 12.5 mpg; 5.2 ppg; 3.3 rpg; 0.5 bpg
TIER 3
F Kyle Singler, Detroit: 21-13; 27.3 mpg; 9.5 ppg; 3.5 rpg; 0.9 apg
C Tyler Zeller, Cleveland: 16-0; 21.9 mpg; 6.8 ppg; 5.1 rpg; 0.9 apg
G Austin Rivers, New Orleans: 17-9; 27.1 mpg; 6.6 ppg; 2.4 rpg; 2.9 apg
G Brian Roberts, New Orleans: 18-0; 15.9 mpg; 7.9 ppg; 1.0 rpg; 2.5 apg
F Jeff Taylor, Charlotte: 17-16; 25.9 mpg; 7.9 ppg; 2.4 rpg; 1.0 apg; 1.1 spg
Source: NBA stats
Here were are approaching the one-quarter mark of the season and the No. 1 overall draft choice out of Kentucky unfortunately has missed two-thirds of his games due to a stress fracture in his left ankle.
In six appearances this season, Davis has averaged 16.0 points, 8.3 rebounds and 2.2 blocks in 28.3 minutes. Davis certainly could still win the award if he heals, but he had better do so quickly, because he's got company at the top.
This year's rookie field is deeper than anticipated, which is why we have divided candidates into three tiers (see chart).
Portland Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard, the No. 6 pick out of Weber State, was a distant runner-up to Davis in preseason polls and clearly has become the early leader. The silky smooth, impressively calm Lillard, who was named NBA rookie of the month for November, might have vaulted to the top even if Davis were healthy.
Charlotte Bobcats forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, the No. 2 pick and Davis' teammate with the national championship team at UK, has been an instant contributor to the Bobcats, who already have won as many games as they did all last season.
Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Dion Waiters, the No. 4 pick who made zero career starts in 71 games at Syracuse, has made an early impact, but also is ailing with an ankle injury and was expected to miss Saturday night's game against Detroit.
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