Rookie Rankings - November 14, 2005
By John Schuhmann

It's two weeks into the season and we're seeing some changes. Several rookies have made enough of an impression to earn increased playing time, but no rookie has been consistent. They have all had their off nights already, but the cream is starting to rise to the top. There are no more one-game wonders (see Lee and Monia last week) on the list. Everyone here has had at least two or three solid games.

We had our rankings pretty well set after Saturday, but then a couple of Sunday performance switched things up a bit. Charlie Villanueva and Channing Frye each had big games on Sunday to move them up a few spots.

This week marks the debut of the Top Five for the week, where we'll rank the best players of the past week. As always the Top 10 Overall is for the entire season and is our Rookie of the Year rankings.

Overall Rankings - The Road to ROY
1. CHRIS PAUL, G, NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY
15.4 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 4.8 APG, 2.0 SPG
Last week: 1
Chris Paul struggled a bit on Wednesday against the Magic, but he had a huge game on Saturday, scoring 26 points on 10-of-14 from the field and dishing out five assists. In addition to leading all qualified rookies in scoring and steals, he is second in assists and third in rebounds.
2. ANDREW BOGUT, C, MILWAUKEE
9.2 PPG, 8.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG, .556 FG%
Last week: 2
In two games this week, Andrew Bogut didn't put up huge numbers (17 total points, 12 total rebounds), but he shot 7-of-9 from the field. He's solid and he's a major contributor to one of the best teams in the league.
3. DERON WILLIAMS, G, UTAH
11.4 PPG, 3.6 APG, .375 3PT
Last week: 5
Deron Williams struggled a bit in New Jersey on Wednesday, but then had two nice games in Toronto and Chicago. He is seeing quality minutes and coach Sloan trusts him running the offense down the stretch. He is second among rookies in scoring.
Rookie Profile: Deron Williams
4. CHANNING FRYE, C, NEW YORK
10.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, .478 FG%
Last week: 7
Channing Frye has maybe been the most consistent rookie so far this season. He had his best game on Sunday, scoring 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting in just 19 minutes of action, leading the Knicks to their first win. It was the first time a rookie has led the Knicks in scoring since Hubert Davis did it in February of 1993. Frye did it down low and also showed nice range from 17-feet out. Larry Brown has no choice but to give this kid major burn.
5. JOSÉ CALDERÓN, G, TORONTO
7.8 PPG, 7.2 APG, .500 FG%
Last week: 4
José Calderón gave the Raps a huge energy boost on Sunday against the Sonics, playing alongside Mike James. He dished out 12 dimes, but he did not shoot well and committed a bad turnover at the end of regulation that almost finished off Toronto.
6. CHARLIE VILLANUEVA, F, TORONTO
11.0 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG
Last week: Unranked
Charlie Villanueva is starting to play like he did in the preseason. On Sunday, Villanueva exploded for 26 points and 12 boards, shooting 10-of-19 from the field and playing a huge part in the Raps' comeback to force overtime against the Sonics. He is now third among qualified rookies in scoring, second in rebounding and tied for first in blocks.
7. SEAN MAY, F, CHARLOTTE
9.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG
Last week: Unranked
Sean May had a breakout game on Saturday against the Heat, scoring 18 points on 5-of-9 shooting and adding five boards, five dimes and five steals. He has gone to the line 17 times in the last two games and his role is steadily increasing.
8. SALIM STOUDAMIRE, G, ATLANTA
9.7 PPG, 1.7 APG, .429 3PT
Last week: 6
Salim Stoudamire slowed down a bit this week, hitting just 2-of-8 from downtown in his first two games, but he had a nice game against the Grizzlies to finish out the week and he is fourth among qualified rookies in scoring for the season.
9. MARVIN WILLIAMS, F, ATLANTA
8.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG, .487 FG%
Last week: Unranked
In his last two games, Marvin Williams shot 10-of-13 from the floor for 24 total points. As expected, Williams had been inconsistent, but he is one of the top rebounders among rookies and you can see the tools are there for him to be special.
10. SARUNAS JASIKEVICIUS, G, INDIANA
6.2 PPG, 1.33 SPG, .524 FG%, .462 3PT
Last week: 8
Sarunas Jasikevicius continues to play solidly off the bench for the Pacers, shooting better than .500 from the field and 6-for-13 from downtown for the season. The highlight of his young NBA career so far was a shot he made with 14 seconds to go to help the Pacers to a big win over the Heat on Wednesday.
NOTEWORTHY
Daniel Ewing (LAC) has been a solid bench contributor for the Clips.
Raymond Felton (CHA) has had flashes of brilliance, but he hasn't found his shot yet.
Luther Head (HOU) started off hot (3-4, the three makes from downtown) against the Nets on Saturday, but then shot 0-6 the rest of the night.
After starting the first three games of the season, Johan Petro (SEA) was benched for the fourth, de-activated for the fifth and then returned to the starting lineup on Sunday, grabbing 10 boards against Toronto.
Rashad McCants (MIN) had his best game of the season on Sunday, scoring 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting in a loss in Denver.
Wayne Simien (MIA) has been solid in helping fill Shaq's void in Miami. He is 7-of-10 from the field for the season.
James Singleton (LAC) received a pair of DNPs when Corey Maggette returned to the Clippers' lineup and quickly fell off the list from No. 3.
RED = Rookie Leader

Got beef with our rankings or have a comment or question for us? Send us an
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and we may respond to it here next week.

THIS WEEK'S RANKINGS
1. Chris Paul (NOK)
18.0 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 4.5 APG, 2.00 SPG, .519 FG% in 2 games
2. Charlie Villanueva (TOR)
14.0 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.33 BPG, .500 FG% in 3 games
3. Sean May (CHA)
10.3 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.75 SPG, 1.00 BPG in 4 games
4. Deron Williams (UTA)
11.3 PPG, 4.0 APG in 4 games
5. Marvin Williams (ATL)
9.3 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 1.00 BPG, .688 FG% in 3 games
ROOKIE LINE OF THE WEEK
Charlie Villanueva (TOR) - 11.13 vs. SEA
26 points, 12 rebounds (7 offensive), 10-19 FG
ROOKIE STATS -- LEADERS
Scoring | Rebounding | Field Goal %
Blocks | Assists | Steals
LETTER OF THE WEEK
What about the Celtics newcomers? The rookies have been playing pretty well, maybe a little inder the radar because of Pierce and Ricky Davis, but still, I havent see anybody say anything about them since the draft. Whats up with that?
Frank - Lee, ME

We got a couple of good looks at Orien Greene and Ryan Gomes during the preseason and we liked what we saw. Both of them could turn out to be real steals out of this draft. Gomes has been solid of late and it looks like he's starting to see a little more PT. So far in the regular season, Greene is just getting spot minutes. Can't really say anything about Gerald Green at this point.
DOWN TO THE D-LEAGUE
11.13 - Ersan Ilyasova (MIL) to Tulsa
ROOKIE PHOTOS OF THE WEEK

Salim Stoudamire takes it to the basket.
Scott Cunningham/NBAE/Getty Images


Nate Robinson prevents an easy hoop.
Rocky Widner/NBAE/Getty Images


Raymond Felton drives against the Heat.
Victor Baldizon/NBAE/Getty Images