OKC Thunder guard Giddey takes a hit in week 8 rookie rankings

Another week and an impressive showing by the rookies. OKC Thunder point guard Josh Giddey had a better week with the team splitting their four matches and he was integral to collecting the victories.

Although the team is tanking they keep trying to fight and the experience Giddy has this year will pay dividends down the line.

OKC Thunder guard Giddey takes a hit in week 8 rookie rankings

As for the national writers, it was a split decision regarding where Giddey falls in the weekly rookie ladder. Although the week seven slippage was expected the same can’t be said for week eight but some sites are giving more credence to production over winning.

Here’s how Giddey placed on the ladder in week eight of the national writer’s lists.

NBA – Steve Aschburner

Two months’ worth of games and similar to Intentions writer Steve Aschburner has a definitive top five. It’s not like Aschburner (or Intentions) doesn’t recognize the other quality rookies it’s just that a definitive five has stood out.

The NBA writer places Josh Giddey fifth on his week eight rookie ladder. His excerpt on Giddey is below and his full week eight list can be viewed here.

"High-impact teenager from Down Under contributes something positive on most nights. He’s been growing as a team defender, too. You’ll like him more if you watch OKC’s games than if you just scan the scoresheet. Currently mired in a 3-for-31 3FG slump, contributing to his 39.4% (24.7%) shooting."

CBS – Jasmyn Wimbish:

Not a great week for OKC Thunder point guard Josh Giddey at least in the opinion of CBS writer Jasmyn Wimbish. She not only didn’t place him in her top five he also failed to make her top 10 list.

Wimbish bases her picks on weekly performances and last week Giddey fell out (which was understandable given he played just a single game). However, Tre Mann made her cut last week but this week none of the Thunder rookies impressed enough to land in her top 10.

With no excerpt on the OKC rookies in week eight, it doesn’t take away from her stellar articles and you can view that post here.

Hoops Habit – Corey Rausch:

Like Wimbish, Corey Rausch also dropped Giddey off his rookie ladder in week eight of his power rankings. I’ve included his comments on top-ranked Evan Mobley and you can view his week eight article here.

Rausch has shared plenty of shine for Giddey and other OKC Thunder rookies over his last seven entries so no hard feelings here.

"Mobley was held below his season average in two out of four games this week but spiked the week with a 15-point, 15-rebound outing. Most importantly, Mobley is currently having the biggest impact on winning any of the rookies.He’s helping lead a Cleveland Cavaliers team currently on a three-game winning streak, while Cunningham’s Detroit Pistons have dropped 12 straight."

Intentions list:

As I mentioned in our weekly rookie ladder power rankings there might be a slight bias here — hey, at least I own it.

While the Thunder are tanking let’s be real about the effect Giddey has on his teammates. I’ve noted repeatedly how certain rookies will be able to pad the stats while their teams lose. And while Giddey is playing for a tanking team, head coach Mark Daigneault isn’t telling him hey just go out and throw up a bunch of shots.

Rather, the Thunder still play within a system and Giddey (like Mobley and Barnes) doesn’t step outside his role. That in my opinion matters more.

To pursue the full week eight Intentions rookie ladder, click here.

"Although his overall stats in week eight aren’t in the same wheelhouse as those above him in terms of scoring the OKC Thunder won two of their four contests.Rookie category rankings:Assists: 5.9 – firstDouble-Doubles: threeRebounds: 6.7 -thirdTurnovers: 3.0 – thirdOffensive rebounds: 1.4 – fourthMinutes per game: 29.6 – sixthPoints: 10.4 – eighthField Goal Percent: 40.4%"

Overall,  Josh Giddey either fell down or off the national lists in week eight despite helping his team win two games. With only two games this coming week it will be hard for him to get on the CBS or Hoops Habit list in week nine because they place the most emphasis on the weekly stats.