CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 15: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers shoots over Robert Williams III #44 of the Boston Celtics during the first quarter at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 15, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Welcome back to the weekly rookie ladder update! Each week this season we will look at the race for the top five slots on the Rookie of the Year ballot, cutting the recording period every Sunday.
Despite the fact that the most common word in NBA parlance this week is protocols, the Rookie of the Year race is still arguably the most entertaining award race at the moment. Unfortunately, one of them is directly involved this week.
In week nine of the NBA Rookie Ladder power rankings, protocols and absences threaten the current front runner.
Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 5. Josh Giddey, Oklahoma City Thunder
5
Josh Giddey
Last rank: NA
10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists
Shooting splits: .392/.242/.700
After a one-week absence from the ladder, Josh Giddey stormed back into the rankings with a vengeance. In a loss against the New Orleans Pelicans this week, Giddey posted a line of 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.
In his next game, he grabbed 18 rebounds, dished 10 assists, and tallied eight points. Night in and night out he is a triple-double threat. While this is not the same version of the player that used to do that for the Thunder, Giddey impacts the game in a variety of ways.
While the top four of the ladder have established themselves, Giddey remains the last player making the best case to make it onto the list. He was the Rookie of the Month for November and is well on his way to a repeat performance. For now, though, the Eastern Conference rookies are just a little bit better.
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<p><strong>10.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 6.0 assists</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .392/.242/.700</strong></p>
<p>After a one-week absence from the ladder, Josh Giddey stormed back into the rankings with a vengeance. In a loss against the New Orleans Pelicans this week, Giddey posted a line of 17 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and one steal.</p>
<p>In his next game, he grabbed 18 rebounds, dished 10 assists, and tallied eight points. Night in and night out he is a triple-double threat. While this is not the same version of the player that used to do that for the Thunder, Giddey impacts the game in a variety of ways.</p>
<p>While the top four of the ladder have established themselves, Giddey remains the last player making the best case to make it onto the list. He was the Rookie of the Month for November and is well on his way to a repeat performance. For now, though, the Eastern Conference rookies are just a little bit better.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4 - 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-439741 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1359612404.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359612404.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359612404-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">ORLANDO, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 17: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic dribbles against the Miami Heat during the second half at Amway Center on December 17, 2021 in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 4. Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Franz Wagner" data-team-id="38" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Franz Wagner </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">4</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fmagic.png"> </div> </div>
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<p><strong>14.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .445/.363/.810</strong></p>
<p>The only rookie on this list who does not seem earmarked to be a superstar, Franz Wagner is no less impressive night in and out for the Orlando Magic. Ignore his game against the Atlanta Hawks last week (please), and he shined again for his new team.</p>
<p>He nearly hit his career-high again when he dropped 27 points in a loss to the Miami Heat. The rest of the team was not able to get them over the top, but Wagner showed he could be a go-to threat. Then, in a win versus the Brooklyn Nets, he filled up the stat sheet without being a dominant scorer.</p>
<h2>Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Cade Cunningham" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 2nd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cade Cunningham </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fpistons.png"> </div> </div>
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<p><strong>15.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.5 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .391/.317/.840</strong></p>
<p>After finally breaking into the top two, Cade Cunningham takes a slight step back. The Detroit Pistons were able to get their fifth win of the season at long last this week, but it came in a game where Cunningham attempted only four shots.</p>
<p>He contributed 10 assists, however, showcasing his expert playmaking ability. So far, Cunningham has performed better as an offensive hub with Jerami Grant out of the lineup, but he did not do enough to keep up with his contemporaries this week.</p>
<p>That being said, this was his first game failing to score in double-figures since November. Do not be surprised if Cunningham climbs again before long.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2 - 1 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-439742 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1359062741.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359062741.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359062741-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 14: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors dribbles as Kevin Durant #7 of the Brooklyn Nets defends during the second half at Barclays Center on December 14, 2021 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. The Nets won 131-129. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 2. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="2" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Scottie Barnes" data-team-id="81" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">2 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Scottie Barnes </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fraptors.png"> </div> </div>
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<p><strong>15.6 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .494/.356/.726</strong></p>
<p>Moving back up the list, Barnes and Cunningham have a real chance to catch Mobley now that he is missing time again. Scottie Barnes had more than 20 points in two of his three games last week.</p>
<p>He grabbed 12 and eight rebounds in those games, respectively. He is showcasing that he could do anything the Toronto Raptors could want while contributing to a team attempting to compete for the postseason, something that Cunningham cannot say.</p>
<p>Despite the bias that has been admitted in this column on a weekly basis, being statistically comparable while in a winning situation is a strong tiebreaker.</p>
<h2>Week 9 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 1. Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers</h2>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="1" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Evan Mobley" data-team-id="156" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 1st" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">1 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Evan Mobley </h3> <h4> <span class="last-rank-title">Last rank: </span><span class="last-rank-info">1</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/21/nba-rookie-ladder-power-rankings-week-9/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fcavaliers.png"> </div> </div>
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<p><strong>13.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 blocks</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .474/.333/.773</strong></p>
<p>Monitoring the Evan Mobley situation will be the story for the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Rookie of the Year race, surrounding the Christmas holidays. He is part of the puzzle that has led to the Cavs being one of the hottest teams in the league, but as he enters COVID protocols like much of the league, the Cavaliers’ dominance falls back into question.</p>
<p>No rookie has helped change the culture of their team more than Mobley, but this is the second time this season that he has found himself unavailable for multiple games at a time. Just like that, the door has cracked back open for the rest of the field.</p>
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