By: David Kay
Welcome to a weekly feature here at the The Sports Bank where we break down the top rookies in the NBA and who has the edge to win the Rookie of the Year Award. With the top overall pick Blake Griffin still sidelined, a pair of rookie point guards are battling it out for the top spot. Check out the updated Rookie of the Year Race.
1. Brandon Jennings, Bucks (Last Week Ranking: #1)
’09-’10: 20.7 ppg, 6.0 apg, 3.8 rpg, 1.0 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 12 ppg, 7 apg, 2 spg
Jennings has faded a bit since the scorching hot start to his rookie season. He has only scored more than 20 points two times in his last 12 games (it’s strange to say “only” about a rookie.) Even though his point total has dipped a bit, Jennings’ is getting other players involved as his assists have increased.
2. Tyreke Evans, Kings (LWR: #2)
’09-’10: 20.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.5 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 17.0 ppg, 5 rpg, 6 apg, 2 spg
Evans came up huge in his first opportunity on primetime TV with 26 points, 6 boards, and 6 assists in the Kings victory against the Wizards on ESPN. Evans is outplaying Jennings as of late, but still remains a slight bit behind Jennings in the Rookie of the Year Race.
3. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves (LWR: #3)
’09-’10: 14.0 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.4 rpg, 1.1 spg
My ’09-’10 Prediction: 15 ppg, 7 apg, 1.75 spg
Flynn proved that as he goes, so go the Timberwolves for the most part. In Minnesota’s two-point win at Utah, Flynn dropped 28 points on 11 of 19 shooting in just 29 minutes. That is more points than he scored in the T-Wolves three losses this past week when he scored 27 points on 10 of 34 shooting.
Click here for the entire Rookie of the Year Rankings.