Rookie Lottery Team of the Week 3/10-3/16

Calathes Cooking; Hardaway Jr. Helping Keep Knicks Playoff Hopes Alive; Burke Blossoming; Nets’ Plumlee Providing Punch In Paint

Nick Calathes

While the Grizzlies were on the outside looking in for the majority of this season, they have finally overtaken the Phoenix Suns for sole possession of 8^th place in the West, and with only two games separating them from sixth, another Grizz-Clips duel could be looming large in my crystal ball. If the Grizzlies aren’t able to close the 3 ½ game gap and pass the Blazers (43-24) for the five spot, Memphis is likely to be taking on a rival opponent in the first round. While the Spurs have been playing incredible basketball with Kawhi Leonard and Tony Parker back and swept Memphis in the WCF last year, it was only three years ago that the Grizz became the fourth eight-seed in NBA history to take out a number one. Regardless of their opponent if they manage to hold on to a playoff spot, Calathes’ steady production this season as a backup point guard has been key to their playoff push, and will be key to Memphis’ chances, with Calathes likely to be sparring with the likes of Patty Mills, Reggie Jackson, Darren Collison. In a 10-point win over Portland this week Calathes dominated in his 19 minutes of floor time, scoring 7 points (3-4 FG) and dishing 9 assists to go along with 2 rebounds. In four games, he posted a weekly average of 7.5 points (11-17 FG), 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in under 20 minutes per game, making the most of every minute of action.

Ryan Kelly

After pouring in 24 points and knocking in four three pointers on Mar. 7 vs. Denver, Ryan Kelly proved it wasn’t a fluke, as the Lakers stunned the Thunder. While Meeks stole the show with 42 points, no way L.A. gets the win without R Kelly’s 12 point (5-10 FG), 5 rebound, 8 assist, 1 steal, 2 block, 0 turnover contribution in 37 minutes. While L.A. was unable to repeat the result on the road vs. OKC in the team’s next contest, it wasn’t because Kelly didn’t’ show up. In 29 minutes he tallied 12 points (4-8 FG), 4 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 blocks with only one turnover. While lottery night is officially the most important night for the Lakers in the near future, the well rounded forward has been a very bright spot in a mostly otherwise dark and depressing season in Laker-land.

Tim Hardaway Jr.

The New York Knicks have won six games in a row. This is not an error, and with only 3 ½ games separating them from the Atlanta Hawks for the 8^th spot in the East, the playoffs is looking like a somewhat real possibility for a Knicks team that sits 13 games below .500 (27-40). While the competition was weak (Philly, Boston, Milwaukee), Hardaway Jr. poured in 23.3 points per game (67% FG, 56% 3-point FG) in just over 30 minutes per night. Whether the Knicks make the playoffs or not isn’t likely to matter, as the Knicks would merely be a warm-up for apparent top-seeded Indy. Given the fact that the Knicks don’t own a first-round pick in this year’s draft, a playoff appearance along with the arrival of a certain Zen Master may help ease the pain in what has been an incredibly disappointing season for New York. With the future of the roster very much in question going forward, Hardaway Jr. represents one of the few presumably guaranteed building blocks for the team’s future.

Mason Plumlee

While Plumlee’s 6 point, 5 rebound, 1 assist, 1.3 block per game averages in just over 23 minutes per night certainly don’t stand out, Plumlee is simply put- a good basketball player. He has really stepped up with Kevin Garnett dealing with back issues for Brooklyn, as they beat potential playoff opponents Toronto and Miami this week. Since the Nets traded veteran Reggie Evans Plumlee has seen his opportunities become more consistent and plentiful. Apart from Garnett he is their lone real rim-protector, and his inside presence has helped the Nets (33-31) continue to rise in the Eastern conference playoff picture, with a rematch with Chicago a possibility if they can pass Washington (35-31) for 5^th place.

Trey Burke

Despite the mounting losses in Utah, Burke has continued to impress, posting weekly averages of 18.5 points (55% FG, 52% 3-pt FG- 11-21), 4.8 assists, and less than one turnover per game. During his best weeks he’s looked like a legitimate Rookie of the Year candidate. If the Jazz can get a little bit of lottery luck (T-5^th worst record in NBA right now) and/or draft well, and keep Gordon Hayward in town, they’ll be another intriguing team in an already deadly- deep Western conference.

Honorable Mention

Michael Carter-Williams

The Sixers have lost 20 games in a row, and at this point I don’t think it would surprise most of us if they don’t win another game all season. However, MCW might just be able to earn Rookie of the Year honors even if Philly ends the season on the 36-game losing streak that’s starting to feel inevitable. During the four game week, MCW scored 17.7 points (28-58 FG), 9.2 rebounds, and 5.7 assists. While he did commit 5 turnovers per game this week, he also became the fastest player to reach two triple-doubles since David Robinson also did it in 51 games in 1990. While the losing streak may end up affecting some ROY voters one way, getting that 2^nd triple double may sway some voters as well.