CLEVELAND, OHIO – NOVEMBER 13: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers brings the ball up court trailed by Grant Williams #12 of the Boston Celtics during the first half at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on November 13, 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; NBA Rookie Ladder (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.
As Thanksgiving is upon us, injuries are starting to rear their ugly head in the equation. Evan Mobley is out for a few weeks, Chris Duarte has been dealing with issues, and Bones Hyland limped off the court the other day. This week, we will try to stay thankful for the good things going on with the top five NBA rookies to date.
In week five of the Rookie Ladder standings, what has each of these NBA rookies made their fan bases thankful for so far? Luckily, there is plenty to enjoy.
NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 5. Josh Giddey
5
Josh Giddey
Last rank: 4
10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals
Shooting splits: .392/.278/.579
Josh Giddey is the kind of rookie that the diehards truly fall for. He will throw highlight passes game after game, but never truly take over. He will be one of the best rebounders on the floor for this young team, mostly because they do not employ a true big man (all due respect to Derrick Favors).
Giddey is a ton of fun to watch, and the Thunder have to be thankful that after slipping out of the top four in what was considered at the time to be a four-player draft, they still ended up with someone who can wow them consistently.
As always, just do not, by any means, look at those shooting splits. That was the biggest knock on him coming into this season and so far, the shot simply does not fall at a reasonable clip.
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<p><strong>10.0 points, 7.3 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .392/.278/.579</strong></p>
<p>Josh Giddey is the kind of rookie that the diehards truly fall for. He will throw highlight passes game after game, but never truly take over. He will be one of the best rebounders on the floor for this young team, mostly because they do not employ a true big man (all due respect to Derrick Favors).</p>
<p>Giddey is a ton of fun to watch, and the Thunder have to be thankful that after slipping out of the top four in what was considered at the time to be a four-player draft, they still ended up with someone who can wow them consistently.</p>
<p>As always, just do not, by any means, look at those shooting splits. That was the biggest knock on him coming into this season and so far, the shot simply does not fall at a reasonable clip.</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/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 4 - 3 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-438581 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"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%2F1354130686.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354130686.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354130686-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 13: Franz Wagner #22 of the Orlando Magic looks on against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Amway Center on November 13, 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>NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 4. Franz Wagner</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: NAth" 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">NA</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"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>13.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.1 assists, 1.2 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .433/.375/.794</strong></p>
<p>So far, Franz Wagner does everything for the Orlando Magic on the court. While Jalen Suggs was drafted to be the franchise savior (and is steadily coming on), Wagner was brought in to be more of a complimentary piece.</p>
<p>He was clearly much more ready to compete at the highest level than expected. He is fourth on the team in three-point attempts per game and, among the top four, is hitting at the highest percentage. He is an above-average defender already and feels like the rare clear hit for the Magic, something Orlando fans have to appreciate.</p>
<h2>NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 3. Cade Cunningham</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: 3rd" 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">3</span> </h4> </div> <div class="power-logo"> <img src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"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>14.1 points, 6.4 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .350/.253/.909</strong></p>
<p>What the Detroit Pistons fans must be thankful for is for the first time in forever they have a true leader. It was noticeable when Isaiah Stewart was attempting to charge into the fray against the entire roster of the Los Angeles Lakers, and Cunningham made every attempt to prevent anything further from happening because he knew the importance of the team above all else.</p>
<p>Mind you, this came in the game where he secured his first triple-double, the youngest player to do so in franchise history. He is steadily improving his efficiency but needs to put it all together throughout a whole game to effectively gain ground on the top two. However, current situations seem to be providing him the chance to do so.</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/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> 2 - 1 </a>
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<img class="wp-image-438582 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2200,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1354956375.jpeg" alt="NBA Rookie Ladder" width="3200" height="2200" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354956375.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1354956375-768x528.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 21: Scottie Barnes #4 of the Toronto Raptors looks on after picking up his second foul against the Golden State Warriors during the first half of an NBA basketball game at Chase Center on November 21, 2021 in San Francisco, California. 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 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/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"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>14.6 points, 8.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.1 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .480/.250/.720</strong></p>
<p>Scottie Barnes has to be loving the idea that Evan Mobley has opened the door up for him to gain some ground back. He has been a two-way dynamo for a team expecting to compete for a playoff spot.</p>
<p>The team must be thankful that they can rely on him as a scorer, as he is already significantly more efficient than expected. His responsibilities (and opportunities) to score have diminished since the return of Pascal Siakam, but he is still thriving on the glass.</p>
<p>If the team can find a way to better assimilate the offense around all of their players, he will be able to gain ground on the current front-runner while he is out of the lineup.</p>
<h2>NBA Rookie Ladder Week 5: 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/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"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>14.6 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.6 blocks, 1.0 steals</strong></p>
<p><strong>Shooting splits: .494/.308/.771</strong></p>
<p>For the time being, Evan Mobley remains atop the NBA Rookie Ladder, and the Cleveland Cavaliers have to be thankful that his injury will not keep the phenom amongst NBA rookies out of the lineup for an extended period of time.</p>
<p>The sprained elbow he suffered will keep him out for 2-4 weeks, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2021/11/evan-mobley-making-progress-in-recovery-from-sprained-elbow-but-cleveland-cavaliers-wont-rush-return.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the first of which just passed.</a> There is no rush to bring him back at this point, save for keeping him in the race for Rookie of the Year honors. The real losers of the injury situation are those who have booted up League Pass to enjoy his brilliance.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="NBA Power Rankings Week 5" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/21/nba-power-rankings-lakers-bucks/" 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/2021/11/23/nba-rookie-ladder-week-5/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/11/21/nba-power-rankings-lakers-bucks/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> NBA Power Rankings Week 5 </a> </div>
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