NBA Rookie of the Year Candidates 2009
March 20, 2009 by Stephen Kersey
Filed under Basketball
With less than a month left in the regular season, it’s time to start focusing on the awards. For NBA Rookie of the Year there are many worth candidates. Here’s a look at the top five candidates to take home the 2008-09 NBA ROY award:
5. Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
Once given a starting spot, Gordon took off. Although he doesn’t have great height for the shooting guard position, he’s built like a tank and his strength makes him dangerous anywhere on the court.
4. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Early on, it appeared as if Westbrook could be a bust. But he gradually got better and right now he might be playing better than any rookie in the NBA. Next to Kevin Durant and Jeff Green, Westbrook could become a star.
3. Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
The best bigman in the 2008-09 rookie class appears to be Lopez of the Nets. He has very good nice and understands the game extremely well. Going forward, he’ll be a double-double machine.
2. OJ Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Scouts weren’t convinced Mayo could make a successful jump to the NBA. But after his rookie year, most scouts agree that he has star potential. Mayo can score and his defense is underrated.
1. Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
The number one overall pick of the 2008 NBA Draft has a great chance of winning the Rookie of the Year. Despite inconsistency and struggles here and there, Rose has likely done enough to win the award.
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls - NBA Rookie of the Year (Image: Newscom)
I would think that Courtney Lee of the Orlando Magic would be under consideration for Rookie of the Year. All he did was quietly assume the SG position on a very good Magic team and is averaging almost nine points per game. I think his PPG average approaches twelve over the last half of the season and his other stats are solid, as well. The candidates you listed are all on horrible teams and by virtue of the lack of available talent on those teams, they have been counted on to produce more.