It will be difficult for the electorate in Kia’s Rookie of the Year race to put everyone else’s decision first, given Victor Wembanyama’s attack on the NBA’s unofficial rookie record book.
For example, in games against the Thunder and Pacers last week, the 20-year-old Frenchman totaled 59 points, 25 rebounds, thirteen assists and 11 blocks, all earning this distinction.
Then, Wembanyama’s power to rack up such numbers, something that is unprecedented, even for non-rookies and Hall of Famers.
When it comes to dominance in stat counting, look at how the 7-foot-4 phenom had as many blocked shots, if more, in February as seven full NBA teams.
A look at Victor @Kia ROTM’s stats for February ?⤵️ pic. twitter. com/yX5YYuJrKN
– San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) March 4, 2024
So it’s no surprise that Wembanyama maintains his position at the top of this week’s Kia rookie rankings.
Weekly Summary
• Well, it’s a wonderful race. San Antonio fans were able to enjoy Wembanyama for 61 games before ESPN did what ESPN likes to do, speculating about the youngster’s distaste for waste, in a way that hinted he might soon need to play elsewhere. After all, there are bigger markets out there for service, and with Giannis Antetokounmpo, Tyrese Haliburton, and Anthony Edwards contractually (and apparently) satisfied for now, someone has to be next in the question “Who might move?”list. list.
• The gap between the No. 2 and No. 3 seeds is at this level narrower than Wembanyama’s unofficial lead over his nearest rival. Chet Holmgren still ranks second for his play and has compatibility with Oklahoma City, however, Charlotte’s Brandon Miller won his moment directly. Eastern Rookie of the Month Award for a reason. A lot of them.
• From Wood to Aluminum: The Ladder has gone a bit stronger this week, with just over five weeks remaining in the regular season and no new rank holders this year.
Scenery to watch
Golden State’s Brandin Podziemski wasn’t pleased when February’s NBA Rookie of the Month results were released. Oh, it didn’t occur to him that Wembanyama would receive this honor; He didn’t like to be left off the list of other Western nominees. Well, the Milwaukee kid will now have a doubleheader when Golden State takes on the Spurs on Saturday in San Francisco and Monday in San Antonio. Firing a shot at Wemby would be an apparent target.
Latest Rankings
(All stats for Tuesday, March 5)
Follow the evolution of our rookie ratings during the season.
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Just because San Antonio is thirteen-49 and two games shy of last season’s speed of 62 doesn’t mean Wembanyama didn’t have any effect on basketball’s victory. He played 19 games in which he finished in the black plus/minus, compared to thirteen for the Spurs. And his net score is also positive at 8. 3, based on a -4. 3 for the Spurs when he’s on the court compared to -12. 3 when he’s not.
2. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
A week of ups and downs for Holmgren. I had a few highlights and hit 1,000 issues faster than any previous OKC rookie. But his impressive plus/minus took a hit: -41 overall as the Thunder went 1-2. Meanwhile, no rookie has played more games and leads that game in minutes logged (1,840).
– Chet Holmgren (@ChetHolmgren) March 5, 2024
3. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
It was a remarkable week for Miller, averaging 21. 7 points and 7. 3 rebounds while making 7. 7 3-pointers and making 43. 5 percent of them. Losing is rarely a lot of fun, but the 6-foot-9, 201-pound winger also runs longer distances. Time-bound goals.
4. Jaime Jaquez Jr. , Miami Heat
Holmgren is the only Ladder resident whose rookie prestige (2022 draft, after all) has been questioned. Recently, Jaquez received that from teammate Bam Adebayo, in a clever way, based on the fact that Jaquez has 4 years of school experience. “He’s not a normal rookie,” Adebayo said. He’s way beyond his age and we’re going to keep pushing him to be who he is. “
5. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Knee soreness plagued Podziemski the first two games of March, however, he was cleared to play against Milwaukee on Wednesday (10 ET, ESPN). Even after his absence, his impact hasn’t been forgotten, especially on the Warriors’ defensive end.
Next 5
6. Keyonté George, Utah Jazz
He scored 31 goals against the Heat, but an illness interrupted (6 minutes) the game against the Wizards.
7. Derek Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Lessons to come before and the opposite game to the Pacers (goalless, 1 reb. ).
8. Cam Whitmore, Houston Rockets
Nineteen points in 20 minutes against the Spurs took him to 25. 4 per 36 minutes.
9. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
3FG% through January: 14. 5%. Since February 1: 28. 6%.
10. Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
“The uproar with Spurs’ Jeremy Sochan is an additional bankruptcy for the first season. “
* * *
Steve Aschburner has been writing about the NBA since 1980. You can email him here, his files here, and follow him on X.
The views expressed on this page do not necessarily reflect those of the NBA, its clubs, or Warner Bros. Discovery.