NBA Rookie Ladder: Did Scottie Barnes hold on to the top spot?

It’s almost scientifically impossible to find something as thin as the line gap between Mobley and Barnes right now. Mobley has a completely valid and deserving case to be made for Rookie of the Year, as he has been instrumental in turning Cleveland into a legitimate playoff team.

Mobley is averaging 13.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game while already establishing himself as a premier defender in this league due to his ability to reject shots. Between Mobley, Jarrett Allen, and Lauri Markkanen, the Cavs are building a humongous team that looks every bit like a viable playoff team.

NBA Rookie Ladder: Scottie Barnes barely held onto the top spot.

By the slimmest of margins, Barnes beats out Mobley. Outpacing the USC product in points and rebounds per game on a team that is currently much worse than Cleveland, Barnes is doing everything he can to remain at the top of this list. Any concerns about his fit alongside Pascal Siakam have washed away.

In the 16 games Barnes has played alongside Siakam, he has reached double-figures in 14 of them. He’s doing all this while picking up the offensive load for a disappointing bench, continuing to play excellent on-ball defense, and providing stability in a raptors’ frontcourt held back by a lack of depth. Mobley is charging hard, but Barnes is clear for the moment.