The NBA Rookie of the Year battle is fiercer than ever, and it's the New Orleans Pelicans' talented young stars who are stealing the spotlight—could they actually dethrone the top pick?
In New Orleans, WVUE reports that Cooper Flagg, the No. 1 overall draft choice, remains the undisputed frontrunner for NBA Rookie of the Year honors, just as many experts anticipated.
But here's where it gets controversial... What fewer people foresaw this deep into the season is how the Pelicans' rookie tandem, Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen, has emerged as genuine threats capable of derailing Flagg's seemingly straightforward path to the award.
This week's update on the NBA Rookie Ladder keeps Queen firmly in the No. 3 spot. There are moments when Queen embodies the essence of the franchise's future, showcasing skills that hint at long-term greatness. For instance, on December 8th, during a defeat against the Spurs, he delivered his inaugural triple-double—achieving 33 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in just 33 minutes of play. (For those new to basketball, a triple-double is a rare feat where a player reaches double-digit totals in three of the five major statistical categories, often highlighting exceptional versatility.) Then, in the Pelicans' victory over the Bulls on December 14th, Queen managed only 4 points in 11 minutes, as the game favored second-year center Yves Missi. Yet, even in that road contest in Chicago, he contributed efficiently with 8 rebounds and 5 assists, proving his value extends beyond scoring.
Flagg's recent 42-point outburst in a loss to Utah might seem to cement his lead. And this is the part most people miss... If Queen can elevate his season averages—from his current 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists per game—towards consistent double-double territory (double-digit stats in two categories, like rebounds and assists), there's a compelling case to argue he could leapfrog Flagg for Rookie of the Year. Is this a bold claim, or could Queen's all-around play make him the surprise winner? It's a debate worth watching unfold.
Meanwhile, Fears climbs one position this week, jumping from No. 5 to No. 4, following his most productive outing as a professional. In the December 14th triumph against his hometown Chicago Bulls, Fears tallied 20 points, 3 assists, 2 rebounds, and 2 steals while hitting an impressive 53.8% from the field. He's been instrumental in fueling the Pelicans' ongoing two-game winning streak, amassing a total of 39 points across those matches.
For the full Rookie Ladder standings, here's the breakdown:
- Cooper Flagg
- Kon Knueppel
- Derik Queen
- Jeremiah Fears
- VJ Edgecombe
- Cedric Coward
- Dylan Harper
- Ryan Nembhard
- Maxime Raynaud
- Ryan Kalkbrenner
Tonight, Fears and Queen's upward trajectories continue as the Pelicans welcome Kevin Durant and the Houston Rockets to town. Tune in for the action starting at 6:30 p.m. on Fox 8 and the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network.
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What do you think—will Queen or Fears crash the Rookie of the Year party, or is Flagg untouchable? Does the Pelicans' rookie revolution signal a brighter future for the franchise? Share your opinions and join the discussion in the comments below!
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