Photo Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Happy New Year to you all. With 2012 behind us, 2013 promises to be another exciting time in the NBA.

As the saying goes, out with the old and in with the new. But that does not ring true with the Rookie Report as we have the same three rookies for the third week in a row.

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers

The Trail Blazers and Damian Lillard concluded 2012 on a high note, finishing off the final week of the calendar year with two wins and one loss.

The Sacramento Kings paid a visit to the Rose Garden and were handed a 109 – 91 loss.

Lillard tallied a double-double in the win, going off for 17 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds. For the game he shot 7 of 14 from the field, 3 of 5 from three point land.

Next up for Portland was a visit to Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. It was not a good trip for the Blazers or Lillard as the Lakers destroyed them 104 – 87.

Los Angeles did a great job of shutting down Lillard in this one. The rookie finished with 11 points while shooting 4 of 17 from the field, 1 of 4 from three. Lillard also had 4 assists and 2 rebounds.

The final game of the Trail Blazers 2012 season was a 89 – 85 win versus the Philadelphia 76ers in Portland.

Lillard’s line was pretty basic in this one. He scored 20 points, but had no assists or rebounds. This was his first game of the season without an assist.

2012 was Lillard’s coming out party. Teams now know that they must game plan for the rookie. Can he maintain his high level of play now that the book is out on him?

Anthony Davis, New Orleans Hornets

New Orleans has been playing well since Davis has returned to the court. The Hornets went 2 and 1 in the last week of 2012.

Davis and the Hornets opened the week with a 97 – 94 win over the Magic in Orlando.

Davis had a double-double in the win, going for 12 points and 11 rebounds (3 offensive) along with 2 steals and 2 blocks.

The Hornets then returned home where they lost 104 – 97 to the Toronto Raptors.

Although we did not get to see Davis face off with fellow rookie big man Jonas Valanciunas, we did get treated to a great performance from AD.

Davis finished with 25 points on 11 of 20 shooting to go along with 9 rebounds and 3 blocks.

Davis and the Hornets completed 2012 with a 98 – 95 win versus the Charlotte Bobcats.

Davis struggled from the field in this one, hitting 4 of 11 attempts to finish with 8 points. He was able to grab 10 rebounds (4 offensive) and block 3 shots.

Injuries limited Davis in 2012, but he has shown that he can be a force when healthy. He’ll need to put together a solid 2013 to have a chance to be named Rookie of the Year.

Alexey Shved

Minnesota split their only two games of week 8, opening up with an 87 – 84 loss to the Rockets.

Shved was solid in the loss, contributing 16 points, 3 assists and 2 rebounds. He shot 7 of 15 from the field, 2 of 7 from three.

Next up were the Phoenix Suns, whom the Wolves dispatched 111 – 107.

Shved was masterful in the game, scoring 12 points to go along with 10 assists and 4 rebounds.

Shved has really thrown himself into the mix for a place on the All-Rookie team. He may be a bit late to get into the conversation for Rookie of the Year but his impact on the Timberwolves is undeniable.

Other rookies making a significant contribution to their teams include Tyler Zeller and Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Charlotte Bobcats) and Andre Drummond (Detroit Pistons).

Which rookies do you think will step their game up in 2013?