Who are the top contenders? I think Griff would have to make a strong push the second half of the year. Rudy T will let his progress be slow. Esp the 1st half of the year. I think it is about burning at the end. If the second have of the season sees Griff getting 20 minutes a game producing double digit points and 7~10 rebounds he will have a good shot. unfortunately good players on worse teams always have an advantage of more PT and more touches Rocket River [ok so i'm tire of the off season and wanna look at the season coming up . . .what can be]
Contenders: Battier, Brown, Curry (don't laugh), Parker, Richardson, Wallace (again, don't laugh) Champion: Rodney White, SF, Detroit Pistons - Will get plenty of minutes and opportunities to score. Can board and handle also. Don't be surprised if he plays some PF also. (Detroit could be a sleeper team if Shothouse shares the ball.) ROY is all about #s and playing time, which is why Eddie probably won't be in contention, nevermind winning the award. This will probably be more of a 'sit, learn, develop you body, and play a little' year.
WALLACE!!!!!!! LOL!!!!!! He probably wont even play more then 5 miutes a game, much less be ROY. See, there are these 2 euros who play Sf in Sac, and a white SG they have will play 30 mpg. He sucks badly against the zone bevause the only shot he can make is a dunk, and in bama he played PF!!!! Ill be surprised if Curry starts over brad miller, so he cant ROY. Its gotta be white or battier.
Live, you're making me laugh, man. No, I'm just kidding, see the smilie? I think you're right about the minutes and #'s. That's why I don't think Curry will contend. He is a very powerful kid, but his offensive moves are pretty rough right now. He will get the minutes, but I don't think he will get the #'s this year. While I don't think Griffen will be a go to guy this year, I do think he will play a lot. And, if he play's a lot, I think he will get his points. He has much better offensive moves than Curry, for example, and looks for his shot. I think it really depends on his minutes, and I don't see why the Rocks won't play him a lot, even if they don't depend on anything but his rebounding. For crying out loud, someone has to rebound on this team. You could be right about White, I haven't seen him play, but most of Detroit's offense will still go through Stackhouse, I think, and I think it will depend on how Stackhouse involves White. I notice you left off Randolph, and I'm pretty sure that if he plays, he scores.
I think it will take Gasol a couple years to get JWill to stop hitting him in the back of the head w/ those crazy passes.
Boston has two 20+ scorers, though. Johnson would do great to score 13ppg. Maybe he'll bust out as a dribbling playmaker....and set the table for the scorers....but doubtful. I think it is between Gasol White Battier Our boy has no chance, im. But I still say he is the best in the group...except for maybe de la Kwema Brown
No, seriously, Curry could average 6-8 pts (garbage baskets, mind you), 6-8 rebs, and a block or 2. Once again, it's all about playing time, and who do the Bulls have that will keep Curry off the floor. As for Wallace, he has the "surprise" factor working for him, a la Marc Jackson. And I think he has a chance to play some minutes in SAC this year, he can and will defend, he runs the floor and can finish (i.e. he'll be on SportsCenter a couple times this year). But I'll admit, he's a sleeper candidate at the most. I thought about Randolph, but remember he plays for POR. He won't get the minutes (barring a trade). Same for Gasol, he'll probably be backing up Battier (plus it usually takes the European players a year to get acclimated). Actually, Parker may be the frontrunner. He has serious skills, should see plenty of time, and will be on a winner (plus he'll see plenty of national TV time, very important factor). As for Johnson, if BOS finally makes the playoffs and he's a regular in the rotation, a la Mike Miller, he's a definite candidate. Sorry for not including him.
I also agree with Battier. Besides getting plenty of minutes, I think his abiity to speak will make him a good interview, and therefore popular for all the media folks. He could emerge as the leader of the Grizz in his rookie year.
ROY Favoriates Brown (this kid is older than Eddie and most developed HS) Battier Richardson My pick? Richardson, because GS will just stick him out there and he will score. Oustide shots: Griffin (maybe will be the best player, but playing on the best team among ROY contenders and a team with other good young forwards--that hurts his chances unless right away he proved) White Gasol
battier's the odds on favorite, for sure. besides him, i like rodney white and jason richardson. i wouldn't put him at the same level, but vlad the impaler could put up some numbers, too.
Here's my scenario for Griff winning the ROY: Phase One: Plays the first 20 games or so as a super sub... gets 15-22 mins per game, and uses them well. Perhaps 8 points and 4 boards with a block. Phase Two: Rice or Taylor gets hurt, or the center situation is so absolutely pathetic that it's better to start Taylor or Griff there. In any event, Griffin moves into the starting line-up, and averages 13/8/2. Phase Three: The Rockets make the playoffs, and Griffin is recognized as a key part of a good team. He has one spectacular game in crunch time against Phoenix, scoring 26 pts with 12 boards and 4 blocks, ensuring that the Rockets win the 8th seed. Phase Four: Victory! Griffin stands as the only rookie with good stats on a WINNING team. Griffin narrowly edges out better numbers by Pau Gasol, Shane Battier, and Rodney White, as the NBA decides to give the ward to a player who actually made a difference.
Joe Johnson Rodney White Kwame Brown Jason Richardson Eddie Griffin Best 2nd rounder-Our very own Terence Morris
