Ric Bucher of ESPN the Mag selects the after-season awards in the NBA. Here's who he thinks should win teh ROY award. Included is a quote from Vlade Divac on the leading candidates. I think he sums up why Yao should be the ROY over Stoudemire better than anyone I've heard on the issue - Rookie of the Year: Yao Ming, Rockets. If it's close or anyone other than Yao and Amare Stoudemire get a vote, someone's either only looking at stats or repaying a favor. Stoudemire is extraordinary for a high school player and is the year's most athletic rookie, but this isn't the MSROY (Most Surprising Rookie of the Year) award. The Suns don't (yet) run their offense through Amare the way the Rockets do with Yao. Opponents offensively and defensively don't make special plans to counteract him the way they do Yao, either. Kings center Vlade Divac: "To me, Rookie of the Year has to change the way his team plays. Stoudemire is a role player. Yao is a key player." Yao rules! Amare a role player; Yao a key player. Funny, but kinda true if you ask me.
*lol* Yeah, Vlade is the king of flop; Stockton runs a close second. But, you have to admit, Mr. Divac has a point.
