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Kia Rookie Ladder: Victor Wembanyama returns to No. 1 despite Spurs' struggles – NBA.com
The No. 1 overall pick continues to shine bright as the Spurs search for wins.
Steve Aschburner
The Spurs have struggled to start the season despite the addition of Victor Wembanyama.
Few NBA rookies, no matter how lofty the expectations for their eventual careers, get held responsible for immediate W-L success. By draft design, the best ones typically go to the neediest teams, who have more problems than any 20- or 21-year-old can solve.
But elite rookies are supposed to make some difference. The very best have turned their teams into instant contenders – think Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (+29 victories), Larry Bird (+32) and David Robinson (+35).
Certainly, teams aren’t supposed to get worse when they add a hot prospect. But that’s how it is for now with Victor Wembanyama and his 3-19 San Antonio Spurs.
A little history
What’s at stake
Latest ranking
(All stats through Tuesday, Dec. 12)
1. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Season stats: 18.8 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2.6 apg
Last Ladder: 2
Draft pick: No. 1
Five double-doubles in a row and two gaudy games against the Bulls (21 points, 20 rebounds) and Rockets (15, 18) bump the Spurs’ youngster to the Ladder’s top. That 20-20 game came in his first start at center, which ought to be his focus – he has made just one of his past dozen 3FGAs.
2. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
Season stats: 17.0 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 2.5 apg
Last Ladder: 1
Draft pick: No. 2 (2022)
Except for blocks (3.7) this week, Holmgren’s numbers drooped as he averaged 13.7 points, 6.7 boards and 1.7 assists. He did get his plus/minus gap vs. Wemby to +271. But he probably did his best work on Instagram.
3. Brandon Miller, Charlotte Hornets
Season stats: 14.6 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 2.2 apg
Last Ladder: 3
Draft pick: No. 2 overall
Miller has scored 10+ points in seven straight games and all but two of his 19 appearances. Miami coach Erik Spoelstra, whose team saw the Hornets forward Monday, had praise for him and the work of his coach Steve Clifford.
4. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
Season stats: 12.4 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.5 apg
Last Ladder: 4
Draft pick: No. 18
The East’s NBA-decreed top rookie for October/November is averaging 14.5 points and shooting 51.5% in December. He scored 18 in 24 minutes before fouling out vs. Charlotte.
5. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz
Season stats: 11.4 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 5.2 apg
Last Ladder: 6
Draft pick: No. 16
Topped all rookies in scoring and assists the past week. And he has dished more assists (120) than any other two rookies combined. The Texas product matched Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – 30 points, 7 assists – vs. OKC Monday.
The Next 5:
6. Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
Season stats: 10.6 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 2.5 apg
Last Ladder: 5
Draft pick: No. 5
The Pistons rookie finds ways to contribute, with or without scoring.
7. Dereck Lively II, Dallas Mavericks
Season stats: 9.0 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1.2 apg
Last Ladder: 8
Draft pick: No. 12
Shooting 80.4% (37/46) since Thanksgiving, league-best 73.7% overall.
8. Bilal Coulibaly, Washington Wizards
Season stats: 8.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 1.8 apg
Last Ladder: —
Draft pick: No. 7
Bigger role, better results so far in December (12.5 pp, 6.0 rpg).
9. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State Warriors
Season stats: 8.1 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.4 apg
Last Ladder: 10
Draft pick: No. 19
Rank among rotation rooks: 11th ppg, 5th rpg, 9T apg, 3rd 3FG%.
10. Toumani Camara, Portland Trail Blazers
Season stats: 6.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 1.2 apg
Last Ladder: —
Draft pick: No. 52
Defense is the surest way for a No. 52 pick to a) start and b) impress.
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Steve Aschburner has written about the NBA since 1980. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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