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Piston Powered NBA Rookie of the Year Rankings: December

By Anthony Morgan

Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2015; Brooklyn, NY, USA; General view of the full first round draft board at the conclusion of the first round of the 2015 NBA Draft at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 23, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Detroit Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (3) in action against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

As we welcome in a new year, we have a little more information on how the rookies are tracking. This is the third installment of the PistonPowered NBA Rookie of the Year Rankings, The other two can be found Here  and Here

Stanley Johnson looked to have hit some form in the back end of December, particularly on offense. He continues to work hard on the defensive end and if his offense continues to improve, then he may well move into the top five in the Rookie of the Year race as 2016 begins. But at this stage, he’s on the outside looking in.

Another honorable mention is Justise Winslow. He has proven to be a real difference maker on the defensive end. There have been several times the Heat have used Winslow in late game situations with the assignment to stop the opposition’s best perimeter offensive threat.

He gets over 27 minutes a game for a team pushing for a top 4 seed in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately for Winslow, his offense needs significant improvement.

He has managed double-digit scoring in just one of his previous seventeen games, Shooting just 41% from the field, 25% from behind the arc and 65% from the free throw line.

The comparisons with Johnson will be made for the rest of their careers, at this stage, Winslow looks a far better defensive prospect, while Johnson has a higher ceiling on offense–but this won’t surprise many people who have followed the two through college and into the NBA.

Next: 5. Nikola Jokic

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