NBA Rookie Of The Year Award: Three Strong Candidates In A Wide Open Race

Mar 23, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bulls forward

(44) reacts after scoring against the Charlotte Hornets during the second half of their NBA game at United Center. Bulls won 98-86. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Nikola Mirotic

Remember the joke that Dean Smith was the only person who could hold Michael Jordan to less than 20 points per game? The same joke applies to Tom Thibodeau and Nikola Mirotic.

Mirotic’s stat line of 10 points per game, five rebounds and 1.2 assists doesn’t jump out at you, but it’s important to note that Thibodeau is holding Mirotic to 20 minutes per game and he still has a PER of 17.6 during limited minutes.

Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey raved about Mirotic last month.

"[via Chicago Tribune] “I’d be careful calling him a rookie,” Casey said of Mirotic. “He has played a lot of basketball. He’s not your typical rookie, a lot like (Toni) Kukoc was when he first came in. With all the injuries they’ve had, he’s been a godsend for them.”"

Mirotic scored 20 points eight times in the month of March. He’s also averaging 17.9 points and 8.9 rebounds per 36 minutes this season.

He’s hitting his stride at exactly the right time, as the Chicago Bulls gear up for the playoffs.

Next: NBA Power Rankings: Farewell to the Regular Season; Next Stop, The NBA Playoffs