got milk? Rookie Power Rankings |
NO. 1 :: DAJUAN WAGNER, G, CLEVELAND
CAVALIERS |
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Stats: 5 GP, 20.8 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 4.8 apg, 1.8
spg, .400 3P%, 38.6 mpg
Last Week: Same as above
Notes: John Lucas wasn't kidding ... After five
games, this guy's already looking like the real
deal ... Has three-game streak of 20-plus
scoring (29, 28 and 25) ... Granted, he's getting
a lot of leeway on a rebuilding Cavs squad, but
his level of play is outstanding ... Incredible
athleticism, has a sick handle, and can shoot the
scoreboard lights out ... Sometimes too fast for
his own teammates to keep up with ... Well worth
the wait.
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NO. 2 :: DREW GOODEN, F, MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES |
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Stats: 17 GP, 14.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, .468 FG%,
29.7 mpg
Last Week: 3 GP, 17.0 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.33 bpg,
2-4 3FG, 33.0 mpg
Notes: Needed a very solid week to stay ahead
of the pack, and he delivered ... Had second
double-double of the season (19 points, 10
rebounds) in Nov. 29 loss to Lakers ... Matched
career high (23 points) in Nov. 27 win over
Seattle ... Shot a combined 18-for-30 in those
two games ... Named 'got milk?' Western
Conference Rookie of the Month for November.
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NO. 3 :: AMARE STOUDEMIRE, PF, PHOENIX SUNS |
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Stats: 16 GP, 9.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.44 bpg, 27.2
mpg
Last Week: 4 GP, 13.8 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 1.0 bpg,
.524 FG%, 23.8 mpg
Notes: Looked good coming off the bench,
looks great as a starter ... In six starts,
averaging 13.2 ppg, 9.7 rpg ... Suns are
respectable 3-3 with him in starting lineup,
including wins over Spurs, Nets and Bucks ...
Still turning the ball over too much, but starting
to find touch from the field ... Already has three
double-doubles this season.
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NO. 4 :: CARON BUTLER, F, MIAMI HEAT |
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Stats: 17 GP, 13.1 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, .333
3P%, .869 FT%, 36.3 mpg
Last Week: 4 GP, 13.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 2.3 apg,
1.8 spg, 36.3 mpg
Notes: After iffy outing against Sixers, has had
three solid games ... Matched career high (20
points) in Dec. 2 win over Suns ... Averaging
16.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg over last three games ...
Heat are riding a two-game winning streak,
thanks in no small part to Butler's play ...
Named 'got milk?' Eastern Conference Rookie
of the Month for November.
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NO. 5 :: CARLOS BOOZER, F, CLEVELAND
CAVALIERS |
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Stats: 18 GP, 6.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, .541 FG%,
16.7 mpg
Last Week: 5 GP, 10.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, .533
FG%, 28.2 mpg
Notes: Filled in ably for Tyrone Hill when he
went down with flu, then saw minutes dwindle
when Hill returned; now getting big minutes
again. And making the most of it ... Averaging
16.0 ppg, 9.7 rpg 2.0 spg, 1.7 bpg and 34.7 mpg
over last three games, and shooting .568 from
field over same stretch ... Has great touch, big
body and is a strong finisher ... Cavs are
struggling, but have a lot to build around with
Boozer and Wagner.
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NO. 6 :: MARKO JARIC, G, L.A. CLIPPERS |
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Stats: 17 GP, 6.8 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.41
spg, 21.4 mpg
Last Week: 4 GP, 16.8 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 2.8 spg,
23-for-46 FG's, 32.5 mpg
Notes: Corey Maggette went down with an
injury, so look who steps up ... Proving
invaluable as a replacement at small forward ...
Has found his shooting touch from the field, and
is getting to the line a lot ... Excellent defender
who has very quick hands ... Solid all-around
game will make it tough to keep him on bench
from here on out.
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NO. 7 :: JAY WILLIAMS, PG, CHICAGO BULLS |
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Stats: 16 GP, 10.4 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 5.2 apg, 1.50
spg, 31.5 mpg
Last Week: 2 GP, 7.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 3.5 apg,
.333 FG% (7-for-21 FG's)
Notes: Seems to be in a holding pattern ... Still
the best rookie point guard, but struggling lately
... Bulls have lost six straight ... Has gone
4-for-27 from three-point range over last nine
games ... Will likely shake out of slump soon,
but definitely not on the "hot" list.
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NO. 8 :: YAO MING, C, HOUSTON ROCKETS |
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Stats: 16 GP, 9.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, .667 FG%,
1.31 bpg, 19.9 mpg
Last Week: 4 GP, 9.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.0 bpg,
.637 FG%, 21.5 mpg
Notes: Has come back down to earth ... Still
very effective, and still shooting ball well, but
it's tough to duplicate his previous week ...
Fouls still a problem ... Asserting himself better
on defense, though ... Definitely not holding
Rockets back.
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NO. 9 :: GORDAN GIRICEK, G, MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES |
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Stats: 17 GP, 11.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, .438 FG%,
.333 3P%, .913 FT%, 23.8 mpg
Last Week: 3 GP, 9.0 ppg, 3.3 apg, 26.3 mpg
Notes: Shooting has dropped off a bit ... Just
1-for-9 over last four games from three-point
range ... Has made 12 straight free throws,
though, and went 35-for-36 from charity stripe
for month of November ... Still starting at
shooting guard.
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NO. 10 :: JUAN DIXON, G, WASHINGTON WIZARDS |
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Stats: 9 GP, 6.1 ppg, .489 FG%, 10.1 mpg
Last Week: 3 GP, 11.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 2.0 spg,
18.7 mpg
Notes: Due to recent injury (sprained elbow)
that has him sidelined for three weeks, Dixon will
fall from rankings next week, but deserves
shout-out for solid recent play ... Should figure
prominently in Wizards' plans once he returns ...
Questions about size and defense have been
answered ... Tough, heady player who plays hard
all the time ... Strong shooter as well.
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