NBA Rookie Ladder Week 6: The leader of the pack returns

</div> </div> </div> <p><strong>7.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 0.8 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p> <p><strong>Shooting splits: .454/.407/.636</strong></p> <p>The counting stats for the season overall do not tell the full story for Jeremiah Robinson-Earl. Since moving into the starting lineup for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the numbers have seen a noticeable spike.</p> <p>He is top 10 amongst rookie starters in scoring and rebounding. He has provided some interesting lineup looks as a small-ball big. Most of the rookie focus for the Thunder has been placed on lottery pick Josh Giddey (more on him later), but hitting on the periphery picks is essential to accelerating the rebuilding process.</p> <p>Robinson-Earl should only continue to look more and more comfortable as the season goes along. He is a clear foundational piece and his role in the lineup has been cemented. Even if some of the others picks end up bumping him a couple of rungs down this ladder, he deserves the shout-out for making the transition this early in his career. He is doing all the dirty work, as is common for Villanova products at this point</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/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4-3 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438957" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438957 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1067,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1355526479.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder" width="1600" height="1067" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355526479.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355526479-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – NOVEMBER 24: Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons dribbles the ball against the Milwaukee Bucks in the second half at Fiserv Forum on November 24, 2021 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 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 Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 6 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 4. Cade Cunningham</h2> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="4" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Cade Cunningham" data-team-id="64" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 3rd" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">4 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Cade Cunningham </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/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"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> </div> <p><strong>13.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals                                                                </strong></p> <p><strong>Shooting splits: .335/.245/.867</strong></p> <p>After pushing comfortably into the top three for the last few weeks, Cade Cunningham saw his production dip over the last week with Killian Hayes out of the lineup. With too much of the playmaking duties on him at all times, Cunningham clearly was unable to get his shot on track.</p> <p>His effective field goal percentage is below 40 percent, a black mark on his otherwise impressive rookie campaign to date. Hayes returned to the lineup to end the week, so he should be able to balance out his offensive attack over the coming weeks.</p> <h2>Week 6 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 3. Josh Giddey</h2> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="Rank" data-rank="3" data-rank-type="player" data-name="Josh Giddey" data-team-id="149" data-meta-a="" data-meta-b="Previous: 4th" data-inner-content=""> <div class="power-ranking remove-native-227"> <div class="order">3 </div> <div class="power-head"> <h3>Josh Giddey </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/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/w_75,h_75,c_fill,g_auto,f_auto/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.fansided.com%2Flogos%2Fnba%2Fthunder.png"> </div> </div> </div> <p><strong>10.8 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists, 1.0 steals</strong></p> <p><strong>Shooting splits: .403/.277/.654</strong></p> <p>Josh Giddey’s consistency so far this season has done enough to move him past the number one overall pick in the rankings. He is on a streak of six straight games of scoring in double-digits, including tying a career-high 19 points.</p> <p>He also had two games with eight assists and three games with seven rebounds. The combination of him and Robinson-Earl has brought youthful professionalism to an otherwise raw Oklahoma City Thunder core.</p> <p>Giddey is a wizard, finding passing lanes that others in this class can only dream of. Of all of the signature skills in this class, his passing may be the most impressive offensive skill to date.</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/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2-1 </a> </div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_438958" class="wp-caption aligncenter"> <img class="wp-image-438958 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"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%2F1355864426.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355864426.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1355864426-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img"> <p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – NOVEMBER 26: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors warms up before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on November 26, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. 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 Dylan Buell/Getty Images)</p> </div> </div> <h2>Week 6 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 2. Scottie Barnes</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: 2nd" 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">2</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"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> </div> <p><strong>15.2 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p> <p><strong>Shooting splits: .485/.321/.730</strong></p> <p>After initially struggling to build chemistry with Pascal Siakam, Scottie Barnes is back to looking like his normal, future-star self. In a comfortable win at the Memphis Grizzlies, Barnes put up 17 points, nine rebounds, and three assists.</p> <p>He followed that up with 17 points, seven rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block on a visit to the Indiana Pacers. Then, he finished the week with his best game yet, posting 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. The Toronto Raptors are continuing to have issues stringing together wins, but Barnes is the consistent bright spot.</p> <h2>Week 6 NBA Rookie Ladder Power Rankings: 1. Evan Mobley</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/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"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> </div> <p><em><strong>14.5 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.8 block</strong></em></p> <p><em><strong>Shooting splits: .489/.333/.760</strong></em></p> <p>Luckily, after missing just four games due to injury, Evan Mobley was able to return and maintain his lead for Rookie of the Year. His return to the court helped the Cleveland Cavaliers break a five-game losing streak that had started in the game Mobley was injured.</p> <p>Against the Orlando Magic, Mobley racked up 13 points, nine rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. He is 10th in the league in total blocks so far. It is astounding for a rookie to already be making that much of an impact at the rim. With him back on the court and looking healthy, we may have seen the chance for the other standouts to catch him in the race come and go before December even begins.</p> <div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Power Rankings Week 6" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/29/nba-power-rankings-week-6-2/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/30/nba-rookie-ladder-week-6/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/29/nba-power-rankings-week-6-2/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Power Rankings Week 6 </a> </div> </div><!—pageview_candidate—>">