All-Rookie Team of the Week – Dec 27, 2013

Widely unknown center Miroslav Raduljica highlights this week’s All-Rookie Team of the Week.

Point Guard: Michael Carter-Williams (11^th pick 2013 – Philadelphia 76ers)

MCW was sidelined during much of December, but he has picked up right where he left off by putting up two double-doubles in his two games back.  It is slowly becoming clear now that there really is nothing standing in the way of Michael Carter-Williams collecting the Rookie of the Year award.  Despite this continued success, there is still a lot MCW can improve upon, such as his three-point shooting (31.5%), turnovers (3.5 per game) and his overall shooting percentage (40.8%).  Having something to work on for MCW should help keep him focused and discourage  him getting caught up in his own hype.

Shooting Guard: Tim Hardaway, Jr. (24^th pick 2013 – New York Knicks)

Hardaway, Jr. has been a lone bright spot for the helpless New York Knicks this year.  Say what you want about New York’s draft history, but they look as if they have found a first-round steal in Hardaway, Jr.  In the last six games, he has put up impressive numbers of 12.8 PPG, 4.3 RPG, and 1.6 APG.  He has even been taking minutes off reigning Sixth Man of the Year JR Smith.  In the last game against the OKC Thunder, Hardaway, Jr. was even handed the start where he tied his career high in points and played a season high 38 minutes.  If this is a sign of things to come, he could become a weekly guest on the Rookie Team of The Week.

Small Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo (15^th pick 2013 – Milwaukee Bucks)

Enough of this Greek Freak nonsense.  Personally, I feel Giannis is getting over-hyped.  Don’t get me wrong; he is certainly talented and has a unique all-around feel for the game, but I think it is wrong to start saying “he should have been the 1^st pick in the draft” (Chad Ford).  The way people speak and write about him, it is as if they will be disappointed if he isn’t an All-Star.  Giannis has recently been promoted to the starting lineup and is playing 32 minutes per game, averaging 10.9 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 1.8 APG.  Antetokounmpo has shown flashes of talent, but like most young players, it is going to take him time to become consistent; however he has already proven to be a quick learner.  The 2013-14 season has been one to forget for Bucks fans, but watching Antetokounmpo continue to improve has been one thing they have been able to look forward to every game.

Power Forward: Cody Zeller (4^th pick 2013 – Charlotte Bobcats)

After a strong Summer League, Zeller got off to a slow start this season.  It has taken him a little bit of time to adjust to not only a new league filled with better players, but also learning how to play the Power Forward position.  Head Coach Steve Clifford repeatedly spoke to the media throughout training camp about Cody’s impressive work ethic, basketball IQ, and his ability to absorb information like a sponge.  So far, his playing time has been limited to 18 MPG due to the impressive play of Josh McRoberts.  However, Clifford recently said that he wants to increase Zeller’s minutes as he is worried about McRoberts getting worn out.  Cody responded to this news with his best game of the season against the Bucks last week.  Zeller put up a career high 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks.  If Zeller can continue to learn and improve, he could find himself sticking around the Rookie Team of the Week.

Center: Miroslav Raduljica (Undrafted 2010 – Milwaukee Bucks)

Due to the sniper in Milwaukee which has taken out every other center on the team (Sanders, Udoh, Pachulia), Raduljica has received a good amount of playing time over the last week.  With Sanders’ impending return this Friday, it is highly likely that this will be Raduljica’s only appearance on the Rookie Team of the Week.  After going undrafted in 2010 due to refusing to take part in a private workout which a number of NBA scouts had traveled over to watch, Raduljica had a lot of bridges to rebuild.  After averaging 8.5 PPG and 3.8 RPG in just 16 minutes per game over the last six games, the Milwaukee fans are beginning to forgive him.  On a random side note, Jonathan Givony made a bet with Rob Hennigan who was then an NBA scout and now General Manager of the Orlando Magic that Raduljica would get drafted; he still owes him dinner!

Riding the Pine:

Victor Oladipo, Trey Burke, Ben Mclemore, Tony Snell, Hollis Thompson, and Nate Wolters.

By James Plowright