1.Andrew Wiggins – SF – Minnesota Timberwolves (15.9 PPG 4.3 RPG, 1.9 APG)
Wiggins’ scoring has continued to increase with the arrival of both Ricky Rubio and Kevin Garnett, and the young forward’s shooting has hovered around the 43 percent mark in his last five games as well. He continues to log heavy minutes for the T-Wolves, and is getting to the line far better at this point in the season. Wiggins has continued to show better shot selection, and has backed off from three-point range for the time being, attempting just four in his last five games. Minnesota has actually been mostly competitive in their last four losses, but Wiggins’ sudden free-throw shooting slump has hindered them somewhat. Still, it’s hard to find any real faults in Wiggins’ game at this point in his rookie season, and he should continue to grow even more under Garnett’s tutelage as the season plays out. His mature demeanor and fast learning curve have paid huge dividends in all but securing the top rookie award the last few months, and he still has plenty of room for growth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUlBVcdl3GM
2.Nerlens Noel – C – Philadelphia 76ers (8.8 PPG, 7.4 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 1.8 SPG)
You often have to remind yourself when watching Noel play that he is, you know, in his first season. His size, court awareness, and decision-making appear from a distance to be coming from someone with at least a few seasons under their belt. Noel has shown consistent improvement each month, and continues to up his production on the offensive end. His shooting has been inconsistent, a fact easily shown by his back-to-back outings of 7-for-7 and 3-for-10 this week, but man, his defense. Noel is no longer just a solid defender as a rookie — he is now among the NBA’s elite, period. Already the steals leader among big men in the league, Noel has averaged 2.9 blocks a game since February. If he can improve his mediocre field goal and free-throw shooting just a little, he will become one of the top all-around interior players in the league before he’s even old enough to order a beer with his philly cheesesteak.
3.Nikola Mirotic – PF – Chicago Bulls (7.8 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.0 APG)
To be honest, I’ve been slightly miffed at a lot of NBA pundit’s willingness to rank Mirotic so high among rookies all season. He had a good December, and suddenly he’s in everyone’s top tier for the rest of the season no matter what. I didn’t get it. He sort of disappeared halfway through January, but has had an amazing and sudden resurgence in March. In his last three games, Mirotic has averaged 26.0 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 47 percent field goal shooting after Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau suddenly gave him a profound increase in minutes. Mirotic has responded with stellar play, and the Bulls have now won two of three. Sure, his shooting could still stand to improve a little, but there is no denying the effect Mirotic has had on the Bulls this month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsQRsPhRNXs
4.Marcus Smart – PG – Boston Celtics (7.4 PPG, 3.5 APG, 1.3 SPG)
Smart has had a strange go of it this season, but has pressed on through. Injuries, trades, shooting slumps, doesn’t matter. He has continued to see significant minutes since Isiah Thomas’ arrival, and that shouldn’t change. His offensive numbers might not pop out all that much, but it’s the intangibles that make Smart so valuable. His perimeter defense is simply outstanding, and his constant hustle, effort, and ball handling set a precedent for a rebuilding Celtics team. Smart has reached double figures in three of his last five games, and is averaging just one turnover per game despite the amount of time he spends with the ball in his hands. His shooting percentage will improve in time, and his leadership is already on a veteran level. The Celtics are in good hands going forward.
5.Elfrid Payton – PG – Orlando Magic – 7.7 PPG, 5.8 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.8 SPG)
Surprise, surprise, Payton has been terrible shooting the ball as of late. He’s shooting just 26 percent in his last four games, and continues to throw up bricks from the free-throw line, if he even gets to it. But fear not, he is doing what he does best: taking care of the basketball. Payton is averaging just one turnover to 4.71 assists since the All-Star break, and seems very comfortable with interim coach James Borrego’s slower offensive pace. His 9-point, 10-assist, 5-steal performance on Wednesday night was a step in the right direction, if not for his 37 percent field goal shooting. Rest assured, when Payton’s shooting improves, and when his team’s stability is finally established, he will flourish in this league. Until then, he’ll do the best he can with what he has, with the occasional stat sheet-filling outing thrown in here and there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he-q1cBpJ_w
