Damian Lillard has been running away as the best rookie this season and is likely to win the Rookie of the Year award over last June's No. 1 overall pick, Anthony Davis.

In Monty Williams' mind, the way Lillard has risen this season has taken pressure off Davis, allowing him to play in a shadow and develop without shouldering expectations to potentially win the Rookie of the Year.

"With Lillard, he's older, his body is more mature, and that has taken some pressure off A.D," Williams said. "A.D has played well, it's just that Lillard has played like an All-Star. You can't argue with the fact that he has been the best rookie this year, but A.D. has been right behind him. Just not as close as everybody wants him to be."