NBA Rookie Ladder 2.0: Scottie Barnes rises; Josh Giddey cracks the top 5

2. Evan Mobley, Center, Cleveland Cavaliers

While it was Josh Giddey winning Rookie of the Month honors in the West, it was Cleveland Cavaliers rookie big man Evan Mobley taking home Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors in the opposite conference.

Regardless of how many times pundits proclaim the big man is dying, he seems pretty alive and well to me. Mobley has already proven he was worthy of being taken No. 3 overall in the draft, if his numbers continue to hold when re-drafts are written about, he may even move up.

Mobley is fourth in total points (281) among rookies, second in rebounds (165), fifth in field goal percentage (47.2 percent), first in double-doubles (six), double what the next three rookies have, as they are each tied with three double-doubles, and last, but not the least, Mobley’s most impressive stat is his total blocked shots with 38.

In only 20 games played as a rookie, Mobley has blocked 38 shots. The next closest first-year player has 18 blocks. Mobley is currently seventh in the association in total blocked shots, ahead of reigning Finals MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo by a hair.

If Mobley continues his early dominance and keeps getting betting he is poised to lead the Cavaliers to their first playoff appearance without LeBron James on the roster since the 1997-98 season. Now that would be impressive.