MESA, Ariz. (AP) -- Amare Stoudemire will win the NBA's rookie of the year award, according to a survey by the East Valley Tribune. The newspaper reported Tuesday that with more than 70 percent of the voters responding, the Phoenix Suns forward had an insurmountable lead over Houston center Yao Ming. The newspaper said 49 voters had Stoudemire first, to 31 for Yao. Miami forward Caron Butler had 11 first-place votes. All 91 of those responding had Stoudemire either first or second on their ballots, while Yao was picked third by 19 voters. A player receives five points for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third. Even if Yao finished first and Stoudemire second on the remaining 35 ballots, Stoudemire still would win, the newspaper concluded. Mike Tulumello, the reporter who did the survey, said he had heard from even more voters on Tuesday, and their comments reinforced the conclusion that Stoudemire would win. Stoudemire would be the third Phoenix Suns player to win the award, following Alvan Adams in 1976 and Walter Davis in 1998. He would be the first player to come directly from high school and win the honor. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/22/stoudemire_report_ap/ Here's the article from the East Valley Tribune: SAN ANTONIO - Amare Stoudemire has won the coveted 2003-04 NBA rookie-of-the-year award, according to a survey of the award's voters by the Tribune. With more than 70 percent of the voters responding, the Suns forward leads the much more high-profile Houston Rockets center Yao Ming, 49-31 in first-place votes. Miami Heat forward Caron Butler is running a strong third with 11 votes. Perhaps most significantly, all 91 voters responding to the survey picked Stoudemire either No. 1 or No. 2 on their ballots, while Yao is picked merely No. 3 by 19 voters. Because of this, and factoring in the 5-3-1 point system, even if Yao swept the outstanding 35 votes (assuming Stoudemire finished second on all of them), Stoudemire would still win. Stoudemire will become the third player in Suns history to win the coveted honor, following Alvan Adams in 1976 and Walter Davis in 1978. The Suns' surge to the playoffs was a big factor in Stoudemire's win. Voter Chris Tomasson of the Rocky Mountain News, expressing majority sentiment, said, "When the race for the eighth spot (for the playoffs) was very much in doubt, Stoudemire said it would be fair to give the award to whomever's team made the playoffs. "Sounds fair to me since the statistics for Stoudemire and Yao were similar.'' http://www.arizonatribune.com/index.php?sty=3554
I wouldn't be surprised. Amare put forth some attitude in the game and that is what is needed to become strong in the game. And the playoffs also had something to do with that.
It's a shame Yao won't get it, but you can't argue against Stoudamire. He put up almost identical numbers, but he was more consistent throughout the season, his team's in the playoffs, and he's been a monster against the Spurs thus far. What's truly sad though is that Yao could've won the award in a walk had he not been surrounded with selfish teammates who can't make a decent entry pass to save their lives. Well, that and an acting head coach who thinks Kelvin Cato's a better center.
I'm doubtful that this article is a credible source. But if Amare does win it, he would be a just candidate. Although Yao is definitely the real ROY IMHO. And I'm not saying that just because I'm a homer.
Well I think most of us knows that Yao will be the better player in the long run and a team you build around with, it's just this year seemed like Amare had a better season then Yao even with all the media because of his athletism (did i spell that right?) and aggressive play and the playoff contender. Yao will show them up next year though
i dont think hes been any more consistent that yao. even in amares best months, yao beat him out for rookie of the month....
April stats: Stoudemire: 14.1 ppg .505 FG% 1.67 bpg Yao: 11.8 ppg .397 FG% 1.63 bpg game, set, match...It's OK, we had another center that finished 2nd in ROY voting, and he did pretty good...
It will be a close race. Hard to say either player deserved it more than the other. Suns won and to the victor goes the spoils. Hopefully, this will motivate Yao to work on his game during the summer. Bulk up, increase stamina and get some attitude.
hehe, but wheres the rpg? how could anyone forget those.... april yao 8.6 rpg, 2.3 assist per game april amare 7.0 rpg 1.1 assist per game amare almost 2 rpg less, thats 25% of his average.
Yeah, I think the East Valley Tribune posted some numbers before, but this is an update . This report is allegedly a mathematical conclusion that Amare has won the ROY.
amare is more of man than yao... he's aggressive and doesn't back down to anyone... yao is soft like a babies butt....
If being a dunker makes one a man, wow, this kid is more man than Yao. I couldn't be more impressed with Yao, the man, as well as basketball talent. He represented himself, and the Rox, on and off the court, magnificently. Regardless of the outcome of ROY I am quite pleased Yao is a Rocket!
If its true, i'll be happy. I'm sick of hearing people say that the only reason Yao will win it is because of all the hype... Stuart
It would be better if Yao doesn't win. I don't want his ego to get big and it would take him to work harder with the staff to build his game. Having the ROY isn't that big of a deal.
Phoenix made the playoffs - we did not. That is the key right there even some will argue that Yao played a big role in our 3-1 season victory over the Suns. Yao at best is a Co-Roy as I see it now. But the good news for Yao is that based on the report Amare is barely leading with 70% of the voters surveyed. What if the remain 30% went Yao heavy? Also a good number of the votes came in days before the Sunday the Suns finally clinched the big dance ticket. Also Amare has a negative on his resume this season. He was purnished by his team (by starting him from the bench for one game) for "an undisclosed" reasons. Good to see the team hid the "reason" very well in order not hurt Amare. I don't even anyone remebers that. Anyway, my cynical side tells me that the NBA will find a way to give out Co-ROY honors to Yao and Amare. I am very sure this will indeed will happen.
