Pardon me if it has been posted. http://www.ctnow.com/sports/hc-nbanotes0406.artapr06,0,5603945.story?coll=hc-headlines-sports Butler Stumps For Votes April 6, 2003 Combined Wire Services Heat rookie Caron Butler says it shouldn't be a two-man race between Yao Ming and Amare Stoudemire for rookie of the year, regardless of the hype. "They made it the Ming-Stoudemire show a long time ago," Butler said. "They took us right out of the picture, but I'd like to let my game do the talking." Butler, a forward out of UConn, leads all rookies in scoring, averaging 15.6 points. Yao, the 7-foot-6 Rockets center, is averaging 13.7. Stoudemire is averaging 13.4 for the Suns. Butler also leads all rookies in steals (1.75) and minutes (37.0), is third in free throw percentage (81.4) and fifth in three-point accuracy (34 percent). Though he has received little hype as Miami has plodded through a miserable season, Butler said media voters will give him serious consideration. "I think my chances are good if I continue to play this way," Butler told The Associated Press. "Anybody who knows basketball is going to look at the big picture and see I'm the only one who has improved throughout the season." Butler has scored in double figures in 23 straight games. He scored 20 or more nine times in March, winning his fourth rookie of the month award. But few outside of Florida have noticed Butler's exploits. "The reality is that we aren't on national television, a lot of people don't see him and we're not a team that politics like crazy," coach Pat Riley said. Obscene, Or Digitally Challenged?
Butler has just made my list of whiny players who I dislike. At least Stoudemire doesn't whine about his eventual loss of the ROY award.
He could be considered a legit candidate, but that's it. ROY should clearly go to Yao Ming. It's not just the statistics that you have to consider, it's all the things that a rookie does to improve himself and his team. Yao has had a greater impact to the Rockets than Butler has to Miami. Plus, the way Yao has carried himself with dignity all season over all the media and pressure he's had to face. Yao makes for the perfect ROY representative, unlike the whiny, crying since draft day Caron Butler.
Butler is a good rook, but not in the same class as Yao... For that matter, I don't think Amare is in Yao's class... All Amare does is dunk...That's it... Yao will be the ROY...
OK, we know already that Yao will be ROY, Stern wouldn't have it any other way. Only thing left is if he'll have to share it with somebody else.
I think Yao and Amare have brighter futures than Butler, but I think as it stands right now, Butler deserves to be in this race. 4 rookie of the month awards, that's practically the whole season up to this point.
I agree that Butler should get some recognition for his game, and maybe get some run for the award, but when it comes down to it, it really <i>is</i> the Amare/Yao Ming show. Butler's played well, but his team's going nowhere, he plays in the MUCH weaker conference, and he plays at a very different position than Yao Ming or Stoudamire. Bottom line though, this has been a great rookie class so far, and it will definitely be one of the best.
he hasnt helped his team try to get into a playoff race unlike yao and amare so unless he is playing a level above them he doesn't desrve it
Again, he's getting the Rookie of the Month, EASTERN CONFERENCE award. Not overall rookie of the month. Big difference. The EC ROM award is empty if there's no competition. Also, I would hope that he averages a couple more points than other rookies when he's the #1 in minutes and plays on a team that doesn't include Francis, Mobley, Marbury, or Marion.
omg! Yes! vote butler ROY because he leads all rookies in ppg...even though he takes over 13 shots a game to get those 15 points!!!!!!! Oh yeah, he's third in FT percentage, that's got to be an automatic ROY trophy! 41% shooting from the field and he thinks he's better than Yao and Amare...what a moron. What doesn't he talk about that big 5 point 6 rebound game he just had against Indy in 33 minutes?
4 Rookies of the month on the Eastern Conference. Gooden who was overshadowed by Yao and Amare won one the first month he move to the East. Save for injuries, I believe he would have won another one too. Lets take a look at toughest rookie competition in regards to East Vs West. East Butler Jay Williams Carlos Boozer Dejuan Wagner Gooden Giricek ??? West Yao Ming Amare Stoudamire Nene Hilario Manu Ginobili ??? After putting all this into perspective, now also remeber that the West is much tougher than the East. Playing the likes of Portland, Utah, LA Lakers, Seatle, Dallas, San Antonio, Phoenix, Mini, GS and even Clippers & Grizlies 4 times is no mean feat.
This is the same guy who hyped about himself before the draft and whined about not being picked higher after the draft, saying every team picked before Miami would regret.
I am pretty sure Yao or Amare would have had better numbers playing on the Heat being the focus of the team's offense.
Yao yes, Amare, doubtfull. Amare benifits playing next to Marion, offensively Amare is very raw. Noone who plays Phx 1st thinks--"how are we going to stop Amare." That is at most the 3rd thing teams playing Phx think about. Butler does deserve mention for ROY--he just doesn't deserve the award, Yao does. The race is for 2nd place, Amare probably has the best case for 2nd, but Butler isn't that far behind.
the guy plays like 7-8 more minutes than yao does, of course he's gonna have slightly better numbers. and being the focal point of the tragic Heat offense, one would expect better numbers ... whine and moan all he wants, he's gonna be 3rd in voting.
Double-doubles Yao - 26 Stoudemire - 24 Butler - 3 Not to mention the defensive, marketing presence of Yao and being an ambassador of the game. Butler is one dimensional. Yao could easily score more points if he plays more minutes and focus on it.
Butler has always been a whiny b!tch. I'm surprised that Pat Riley would let Butler talk about HIMSELF for pretty much all season long, while the Heat are having a crappy season. Butler will always be a loser.
YOU PLAY IN THE EAST HOMEBOY! YOUR TEAM AIN'T GOING NOWHERE. YOUR COACH WANTS YOU TO BE THE FOCAL POINT OF THE OFFENCE. WHO ELSE DO YOU HAVE? THATS RIGHT NOBODY. HEY GUESS WHO'S INJURED, THATS RIGHT YOUR "FRANCHISE" PLAYER ZO SO YOU BEING A TOP DRAFT PICK OF COURSE ARE GOING TO BEA MAIN PART OF THE OFFENSE. NO FAULT OF YOURS BUT THE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARD IS NOT ALL ABOUT STATISTICS. YOUR TEAM IS NOT IN THE PLAYOFFS SO YOU OBVIOUSLY DID NOT MAKE THAT MUCH OF AN IMPACT. ITS TRUE WE HAVE PLAYERS COMING BACK THAT WERE INJURED LAST YEAR BUT WHAT YAO MING HAS MEAN TO THE ROCKETS IS A HELL OF A LOT MORE THAN WHAT YOU HAVE MEANT TO YOUR HEAT. LOOK AT ALL THE #'S AND THEY DON'T LIE. PLUS, NOBODY IS GUNNING FOR YOU. NOBODY IS TRYING TO BANG YOU UP OR DUNK ON YOU OR FLAT OUT BEAT YOU. YOUR ASSIGNMENT IS A LOT EASIER THAN THAT OF YAO'S AND EVEN TO THAT OF AMARE'S. THE TOP 2 CANDIDATES ARE THE ONES THAT SHOULD BE THERE. YAO AND AMARE IN THAT ORDER. ENOUGHT SAID.
