Kia NBA ROTY Race: Latest ROTY ladder and power rankings feat. Bennedict Mathurin, Jalen Williams and more | Jan. 4, 2022-23 NBA Season
The 2022-2023 NBA ROTY race showed some signs of life over the past week, with one player re-entering the top five.
Meanwhile, Indiana Pacers shooting guard Bennedict Mathurin has redeemed himself. This comes after a recent stretch of poor shooting that caused him to drop in last week's rankings.
So on that note, here’s this week’s ROTY ladder.
#5. Jalen Williams, OKC Thunder
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: N/A
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 1, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 33, Games won - 14, Games lost - 19
Last Week: PPG - 17.7, RPG - 3.7, APG - 2.7, SPG - 2.3, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 11.7, RPG - 3.6, APG - 2.7, SPG - 0.8, BPG - 0.4
Last Week: FG% - 56.8%, 3PT% - 41.7%, FT% - 66.7%
Overall: FG% - 51.7%, 3PT% - 29.1%, FT% - 73.9%
OKC Thunder wing Jalen Williams had a very strong three-game week, scoring 15-or-more points on at least 55.0% shooting in all three games. He has also now scored in double figures in seven straight games overall.
Williams’ week was highlighted by his 21-point, six-assist, four-steal performance in the Thunder’s surprising blowout win over Boston on Tuesday. Williams was one of many players who stepped up for OKC in the absence of star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who was out due to an illness.
If Williams’ recent efficient scoring surge continues, he should have a great chance of moving up into the top three in the ROTY race.
#4. Jabari Smith Jr., Houston Rockets
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 4th (-)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 0, Games lost - 3
Overall: Games played - 36, Games won - 10, Games lost - 26
Last Week: PPG - 12.3, RPG - 3.7, APG - 1.3, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.7
Overall: PPG - 12.1, RPG - 6.9, APG - 0.9, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 1.0
Last Week: FG% - 46.7%, 3PT% - 28.6%, FT% - 71.4%
Overall: FG% - 38.9%, 3PT% - 33.3%, FT% - 82.2%
Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. had a rather pedestrian week as the Rockets dropped all three of their games. However, Smith still scored in double figures in every game. His shooting efficiency also increased to 46.7% last week. Smith's week was highlighted by his 16-point performance on 53.8% shooting versus Dallas.
Smith’s rebounding dropped off a bit last week as he only reached five rebounds in one of three games. However, for the season, Smith remains a versatile forward who has the ability to score, rebound, and space the floor a little bit.
#3. Jaden Ivey, Detroit Pistons
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 2nd (↓1)
Last Week: Games played - 4, Games won - 2, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 36, Games won - 10, Games lost - 26
Last Week: PPG - 11.0, RPG - 2.8, APG - 4.0, SPG - 0.3, BPG - 0.3
Overall: PPG - 15.0, RPG - 4.0, APG - 4.0, SPG - 1.0, BPG - 0.3
Last Week: FG% - 31.3%, 3PT% - 30.0%, FT% - 77.8%
Overall: FG% - 40.9%, 3PT% - 31.5%, FT% - 72.8%
Detroit Pistons point guard Jaden Ivey was once again plagued by offensive inconsistency last week. Overall, Ivey shot just 31.3% over four games. However, this included a 22-point, six-assist performance on 60.0% shooting against Chicago, as well as a one-point game against Minnesota.
Ivey’s upside remains high and he’s still been one of the best all-around rookies this season. However, his inconsistency drops him one spot in this week’s ROTY rankings.
#2. Bennedict Mathurin, Indiana Pacers
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 3rd (↑1)
Last Week: Games played - 3, Games won - 3, Games lost - 0
Overall: Games played - 38, Games won - 21, Games lost - 17
Last Week: PPG - 19.7, RPG - 3.3, APG - 0.7, SPG - 0.7, BPG - 0.0
Overall: PPG - 17.3, RPG - 3.9, APG - 1.4, SPG - 0.6, BPG - 0.1
Last Week: FG% - 53.1%, 3PT% - 37.5%, FT% - 75.9%
Overall: FG% - 42.2%, 3PT% - 34.4%, FT% - 81.2%
Bennedict Mathurin had been struggling offensively over the past few weeks. However, he stepped up last week, scoring 15-or-more points in all three games. This included a 21-point performance versus Toronto and a 23-point performance versus Cleveland. Mathurin also shot 53.1% for the week.
The Pacers also won all three of their games last week to improve to 21-17 and sixth in the Eastern Conference. Mathurin’s resurgence was a big reason why, so he reclaims his spot in the top two in this week’s ROTY rankings.
#1. Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Previous week’s ROTY ranking: 1st (-)
Last Week: Games played - 2, Games won - 0, Games lost - 2
Overall: Games played - 30, Games won - 10, Games lost - 20
Last Week: PPG - 18.0, RPG - 5.0, APG - 3.0, SPG - 0.5, BPG - 0.5
Overall: PPG - 20.9, RPG - 6.7, APG - 3.9, SPG - 0.9, BPG - 0.6
Last Week: FG% - 30.6%, 3PT% - 16.7%, FT% - 86.7%
Overall: FG% - 43.5%, 3PT% - 30.8%, FT% - 75.5%
Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero only played in two games last week. He struggled with inefficiency in both, shooting just 30.6%. However, he still finished with 15 points and five rebounds against Detroit and 21 points, five rebounds and four assists against Washington.
Overall, Banchero remains the most consistent all-around rookie and the overwhelming frontrunner to win ROTY.
For last week’s ROTY ladder, click here.