NBA Rookie Leaderboard 2-18-21

(dunkingwithwolves.com)

3. Immanuel Quickley

(@nyknicks)

Knicks fans finally have something to cheer about in the Big Apple. New York is finally looking like a competent franchise under new head Coach Tom Thibodeau and they may have gotten the steal of the draft. Quickley broke into the top 3 last week and has continued to play well off the Knicks’ bench. Many fans worried that New York’s new acquisition, veteran PG Derrick Rose, would take time away from Quickley. It has actually been the opposite. Rose and Quickley have played together frequently in Thibs’ 2 point guard offense. Since trading for Rose, Immanuel is averaging 22 minutes per game. He has turn those reps into 15.3 points, 2.8 assists, and 2.5 rebound per game off the bench. Quickley has a good blend of being score first, but not shot happy. He is shooting 40% from the field and 37% from deep, not bad for a rookie point guard. His consistency has allowed him to stay in the hunt for ROY, but he’s going to have to hit another gear to take home the trophy.

2. Anthony Edwards

(@Timberwolves)

Anthony Edwards returns to the top 3 this week after falling to 4th last time around. Edwards has picked up his pace and provided fans with a few highlights over the past week. Since Timberwolves Star D’Angelo Russell went down with a left knee injury, Edwards has been placed into the starting lineup and done well. He has averaged 16.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists as a starter this year. He cemented himself into the number 2 spot with his best performance to date against LeBron James and the Lakers on Tuesday. Despite the loss, Edwards dropped a career high 28 points, along with 7 rebounds and 5 assists. He also hit a 3 in LeBron’s face and gave him a little grin after. Quite Savage. Anyways, Edwards has shown he was worthy of the number 1 overall pick and has provided glimpses into his future as a quality scorer. If he can continue to put up numbers as a starter, he could leapfrog our number 1 spot for the title.

1. LaMelo Ball

(theathletic.com)

LaMelo has been at the top for 3 weeks now, and deservedly so. He has been the best, and most fun, rookie to watch since the season tipped off. Ball has upped his weekly stats since last week, averaging 18 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists. His length and vision allows him to throw passes no one else sees and get rebounds he has no business getting. He has shown an ability to control the tempo of a game, something many point guards struggle with their whole career. He has been able to dictate pace and create opportunities for his teammates regularly. LaMelo went head to head with Anthony Edwards on Friday night. His team, the Charlotte Hornets, came out with the win behind Ball’s 20 points and 11 rebounds. Terry Rozier’s 41 points probably helped too. LaMelo has shown an ability to impact the game at all levels. He needs to polish up the defense, but basically all these rookies do. He has started to get real comfortable in the number 1 spot and I’m sure Lavar is loving it.

(USA Today Sports)