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Latest Ladder shows it’s 3-horse race, with Cavs’ Evan Mobley firmly in 1st

By Justin Brownlow

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons. (Photo by Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports) /

Yes, it’s a three-horse race, maybe even two

We are now officially halfway through the NBA season. The trade deadline is around the corner as well as the All-Star Break, which is taking place in Cleveland. However, it has become pretty clear to me that there are really only three realistic Rookie Of The Year candidates. While I say three, it also might just be two.

Evan Mobley has been the best rookie and has had the most impact on his own team. Evan is a clear two-way star already, with the chance to take a jump to the superstar level in even the next year or year-and-a-half. The young man out of USC is averaging 15 points per game, 8.2 rebounds, and even 2.7 assists. He has been at the top, or near the top for the entire season, and now more than ever, it looks like he’s the clear favorite. Just take a look at what former Cav Channing Frye had to say about the rookie, as h/t NBA.com’s Steve Aschburner.

"“It’s crazy for a young guy like that to have timing the way he does, whether he’s deflecting shots, switches,” Frye said. “I watch a lot of the Cavs. … For me, Evan is everywhere. Where you would expect him to make more rookie mistakes, he’s making veteran plays. He’s really good facing the basket and making plays for the other big men, which is how they can play two other 7-footers. And for me, his aggressiveness towards the rim is uncanny. He’s looking to dunk on people consistently. Now, where he’s gonna build is obviously his strength, but this kid is special, and I haven’t seen somebody like this in a long, long time.”"

With that being said, Mobley’s chances also rise, the more games Scottie Barnes’ misses. He’s been the only rookie to really go head-to-head with Mobley for the entire season. There have been multiple occasions when Barnes has been forced to miss time, only making him fall further behind in the Rookie of the Year Ladder. Yes, Barnes stock is indeed falling, but that also means someone is rising.

That riser is in fact Cade Cunningham. Barring something unforseen, like an inury, or a huge roster change, I think Cunningham and Mobley are the two guys who can take home the award.

Cunningham has been spectacular since recovering from injury. He’s making an impact on both ends of the floor, and is slowly improving the Pistons around him. This year he’s averaging over 16 points per game, while also over five rebounds and five assists per night. It’s going to be hard for Cunningham to overtake Mobley if the Cavs keep winning, but in no way is it impossible.

In the end I really think that the Rookie Of the Year goes to one of those two, with Scottie Barnes having an outside chance. No matter what, the second half of the season should be incredible, especially if you plan on watching the young guys. By the end of the year, I really think there could be almost ten rookie double digit scorers, per game.