It appears as though a two man race for the Rookie of the Year race is starting to take shape in the NBA.

It is only early in the season but Damian Lillard and Anthony Davis are beginning to pull ahead of the 2012-13 rookie class.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

Week 2 was a rough week for both the Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard.

The Blazers dropped all three of their contests for the by an average of 13 points and Lillard saw his numbers dip from week 1.

Lillard struggled from the field in a 114 -91 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. He was 2 of 13 from the field; 1 of 8 from beyond the arc. Lillard was able to get to the free throw line, where he went a perfect 8 from 8.

He finished the game with 13 points, 5 assists and 3 rebounds.

Chris Paul got the better of the rookie as the Los Angeles Clippers dropped the Blazers 103 – 90.

In 41 minutes, Lillard scored 16 points, shooting 46% from the field including 2 of 4 from three. He also added 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

Lillard was back at his best against the Spurs, but it wasn’t enough as the Blazers lost 112 – 109. For the night, Lillard had 20 points, 6 assists and 3 rebounds.

The Blazers are LaMarcus Aldridge’s team but they need Lillard to put up numbers if they want to contend in the Western Conference.

Lillard’s opening week of his NBA career was historic, setting the bar very high.

He is still the early ROY leader, but he’s got someone breathing down his neck.

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

I feel pretty confident that if Anthony Davis was healthy he would have been on the top of the Rookie Report.

But due to a concussion, Davis was limited to only one game in week 2, and what a game it was.

Davis stuffed the stat sheet in the Hornets 107 – 99 win over the Charlotte Bobcats. He totaled 23 points, 11 rebounds (4 offensive), 5 blocks, 2 steals and 2 assists.

If I was being picky I could point out he was only 5 of 9 from the free throw line, but he dominated this game.

He scored from inside and out. He blocked shots in the paint and also on the perimeter. He was the difference maker that the Hornets had hoped they drafted.

The only reason Davis is not in the top spot is the fact that he only played in one game for the week.

If Anthony Davis stays healthy I expect him to be at the top of the Rookie Report more often than not.

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Charlotte Bobcats

Michael Kidd-Gilchrist makes his debut on the Rookie Report after a week where he put up solid numbers in a couple of losses and big numbers in a historic Bobcats win.

The Bobcats opened week 2 with a 117 – 100 loss to the Phoenix Suns. For the game, MKG posted 9 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 blocks.

Charlotte then dropped a 107 – 99 decision to Kidd-Gilchrist’s former Kentucky teammate Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Hornets. MKG did his best to keep up with Davis, scoring 12 points, grabbing 6 boards and also blocking 3 shots.

However, it was Michael Kidd-Gilchrist’s next game that placed him firmly on the rookie list.

MKG scored a career-high 25 points and grabbed 12 rebounds (5 offensive) in the Bobcats 101 – 97 overtime win against the Dallas Mavericks.

The win was Charlotte’s first ever win over Dallas.

The Bobcats have started off the season well and MKG has played a big part in that.

He is already a strong defender and his offensive game is slowly developing. If Kidd-Gilchrist can develop some consistency to his game he may find himself regularly on the Rookie Report.

Other rookies making positive contributions to their teams include Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers), Alexey Shved (Minnesota Timberwolves), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Jonas Valanciunas (Toronto Raptors) and Jae Crowder (Dallas Mavericks).

What rookies impressed you in week 2?

Who do you think should make the Rookie Report?

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