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| Rookie Rankings: Dec. 28, 2004 By Jeff Dengate Andres Nocioni nearly joined fellow Bulls rookies Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Chris Duhon in this week's top 10 as the Bulls won five straight games -- the fifth over the defending champion Detroit Pistons. Al Jefferson came alive in Boston after getting the starting nod and Josh Childress put up double-digits to end the skid in Atlanta as both cracked the top 10. Here's how the rookies rank this week: 1. Emeka Okafor, F-C, Charlotte (No. 2) Stats: 15.3 PPG, 11.6 RPG, 1.1 APG (28.0 PRA) Upcoming: vs. Ind. (12/29), vs. Sea. (12/31), at Mia. (1/1) Breakdown: Has registered 16 consecutive double-doubles, the most by a rookie since Shaquille O'Neal had 15 straight for the Orlando Magic during the 1992-93 season. Grabbed a career-high 11 offensive rebounds against New York on Dec. 26. 2. Dwight Howard, F, Orlando (No. 1) Stats: 10.5 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 1.2 APG (21.7 PRA) Upcoming: vs. Mil. (12/29), at Chi. (1/1) Breakdown: Continues to score from the stripe, shooting 12-18 from the free throw line over the past two games. Howard has failed to grab double-digit rebounds since an 18-board performance against the Suns on Dec. 13. 3. Luol Deng, G-F, Chicago (No. 7) Stats: 13.1 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 2.4 APG (20.5 PRA) Upcoming: vs. N.J. (12/28), vs. Orl. (1/1) Breakdown: The Bulls have won seven of their last 10 contests thanks in part to the play of their rookies. Deng ranks third on the squad, and second among all rookies, in scoring at 13.1 points per game. 4. Ben Gordon, G, Chicago (No. 3) Stats: 12.5 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 1.6 APG (16.5 PRA) Upcoming: vs. N.J. (12/28), vs. Orl. (1/1) Breakdown: When asked by the Daily Herald why Gordon is not a starter, coach Scott Skiles responded, "He didn't play worth a hoot as a starter. How's that?" Gordon continued his strong play off the bench, averaging 20.3 points over the last three contests. 5. Andre Iguodala, F, Philadelphia (No. 9) Stats: 8.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG, 2.5 APG (16.8 PRA) Upcoming: at Sea. (12/28), at Den. (12/31), at Clippers (1/2) Breakdown: Ranks ninth in the NBA in steals per game (1.77 spg), registering three in each of the last two games -- both Sixers victories. Scored a career-high 22 points in a Dec. 27 win over Portland to go along with 10 rebounds and five assists. 6. Josh Smith, F, Atlanta Hawks (No. 17) Stats: 7.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 1.4 APG (13.1 PRA) Upcoming: vs. Cle. (12/28), vs. Sea (12/30), at Was. (1/2) Breakdown: Smith is one of only three rookies to have multiple double-doubles this season. Since cracking the starting lineup, Smith has averaged 10.3 points and nearly three blocked shots per game. 7. Al Jefferson, F, Boston (No. 15) Stats: 6.7 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.2 APG (10.7 PRA) Upcoming: at Dal. (12/28), at Mem. (12/29), vs. Was. (12/31), at Det. (1/2) Breakdown: Picked up the first start of his career in place of the injured Raef LaFrentz on Dec. 22 and scored 12 points in 20 minutes of action. The night before, Jefferson scored 15 and grabbed nine boards in 19 minutes against the Heat. 8. Chris Duhon, G, Chicago (No. 38) Stats: 4.0 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 4.8 APG (10.7 PRA) Upcoming: vs. N.J. (12/28), vs. Orl. (1/1) Breakdown: Has averaged 6.0 assists and only one turnover per game over the last five games, as the Bulls went 4-1. Continues to lead all rookies in assists per game (4.8) and assists per turnover (2.81). 9. Matt Bonner, F, Toronto (No. 45, 2003) Stats: 7.6 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 0.4 APG (11.5 PRA) Upcoming: at Lakers (12/28), at G.S. (12/29) Breakdown: After seeing only 12 minutes of action in a win over the Jazz, Bonner got more time and touches in a Dec. 26 loss to the Suns, scoring 13 points on 6-of-10 from the field. Ranks third in the NBA in field-goal percentage (.562). 10. Josh Childress, G-F, Atlanta (No. 6) Stats: 6.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 APG (11.4 PRA) Upcoming: vs. Cle. (12/28), vs. Sea (12/30), at Was. (1/2) Breakdown: Childress had 16 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals in a Dec. 22 victory over Dallas, helping the Hawks shake a five game losing streak. |