I looked and didn't see this posted...sorry if it has been. To see the other nominees click on the link. http://www.usatoday.com/sports/basketball/nba/2002-12-12-first-quarter_x.htm By David DuPree, USA TODAY USA TODAY looks at the early MVP candidates, top rookies, the impact player and the top story lines going into Thursday's games: Top rookies Yao Ming, Houston: Starting to look more like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar than Rik Smits. Top Story Lines Houston's Yao Ming changed some minds after getting 27 points and 18 rebounds against San Antonio and going 9-for-9 from the field against the Lakers.
