Piston Powered NBA Rookie of the Year Rankings: December

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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Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Nuggets 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball against Portland Trail Blazers center Mason Plumlee (24) in the third quarter at the Pepsi Center. The Trail Blazers defeated the Nuggets 112-106. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
  1. Nikola Jokic (N/A)

9.0 Points

5.4 Rebounds

1.3 Assists

55.4% FG%

41.2% 3P%

77.3 FT%

18.7 Minutes

Nikola Jokic is quietly putting together a very solid rookie campaign, in less than twenty minutes per game off the bench for the Denver Nuggets. His minutes are trending upwards and has received more than twenty minutes nine times in December.

Although taking less than one attempt per game, Jokic has shown an ability to hit the three ball, shooting 45% from downtown through December that also included a 22 Point, 7 Rebound and 5 Assist performance against the San Antonio Spurs.

Jokic currently leads his draft class with his 55.4% shooting percentage from the field. Jokic continues to come off the bench behind Joffrey Lauvergne but on several occasions has managed to receive more minutes than Lauvergne.

The return from injury of Jusuf Nurkic will limit Jokic’s role even further as the season progresses.

Next: 4. D'Angelo Russell