This is the way I see it. Schick(sponsor of the rookie of the year thing)wants Brand to win because he is one of their five rookie spokesmen, and Francis isn't. The NBA and NBC want Francis because he is more exciting and marketable. The winner will be determined by who has more clout, Schick or NBC. It is almost too close to call, but the tide seems to have been turning in Francis' favor over the past two weeks! ------------------
The word out in the NBA is that there will be a co-rookie of the year Elton Brand and Steve Francis! As NBC brought up even though Brand has better numbers Steve Francis is a better candidate because he has led his team to more wins, even when he was learning how to play!!! The thing is he still is learning how to play he started playing basketball in his Sr. year of High School were he was benched so then he grew and played for the Jr colleges and finally made it to the Univesity of Maryland where he played for one year!! He has accomplished more so they think he should win ROY! ------------------ -Junkyard Dog "Maybe we need an enema" - Othella Harrington
when do thay give out the r.o.y????? ------------------ just give me a rocket game and a ice cold beer
Junkyard Dog, how did you find out about this? I don't have a big problem with co-rookie of the year, although I think Francis deserves sole possession of the award. Does anybody know if their will be a rookie of the month award for April? If Francis wins it, he would have to be out Brand- 3 vs. 2. ------------------
I think the voting ends this Sunday for ROY. They'll probably announce the winner 2 to 5 days after that. BTW, I meant to say BEAT out Brand on the last line of the last post. ------------------
The problem with what all of you are saying is that the NBA doesn't determine the award, neither does shick. The people who pick it are the sports writers, from each city. And from reading most of their articles the one who is going to win will be brand. they all say it's going to be by a hair. but too bad they can't see past the padded numbers. ------------------
Which writers are you talking about? I only know of SI's Marty Burns supporting Brand. I know that Bill Walton, Peter Vescey, and ESPN's David Aldridge, Jeffrey Denberg, and Mike Monroe favor Francis for ROY. ------------------
Whose side are they on? Francis almost won the majority of the votes on the NBA.com but they stopped the poll before he could reach 50%. ------------------
I'm not sure if tonights game against the Mavs has helped Francis' case or not. If you've got your head stuck in points category, it will hurt. If you look at all around category, you may see things differently. However, Odom has a lot of near triple doubles, but it doesn't seem to be enough. ------------------
here's a thing from espn.com.... i don't know whyt hey like brand ... a) brand is not a leader francis owns this team it IS HIS TEAM b) Brand has more points cause his job isn't to assist.... francis has that job. he has the ball and has to dish it out and then set up the whole team's offence and much more.... c) francis is much better at D d) Brand is flat out UGLY...Francis has the looks and the STYLE Brad Cox: Who do you feel should get Rookie of the Year? Mark Rich: Well Brad, seeing that you're from Elgin, I'm willing to bet you think it should be Elton Brand. And I agree with you. Brand has consistently put up good numbers despite being the lone offensive threat for the Bulls. Steve Francis certainly benefits from the season Cuttino Mobley is having. Not that Francis isn't deserving, but I just think Brand is having a better season. You didn't ask, but if I had to name an all-rookie team, I'd go with Brand, Francis, Lamar Odom, Wally Szczerbiak and Andre Miller. ------------------ TycoonChip
Steve's D aint that good.. and he don't look that much betta than elton. but i agree, he should win ROY.. none of this co- winner bull.. ------------------
Chances are they will both win the award, like Jason Kidd and Grant Hill did a while back. ------------------
Brand is having a great year. He deserves the ROY award. Francis is having a great year. He deserves the award. I don't care about the rockets have won more games. Chicago has Brand and Artest. He is the best PF in the East that I can think of. If Franncis's assists were over 7.5, the award would be his, but it is too close to call without. ------------------ Moochie hear no evil Moochie speak no evil Moochie see no evil
That Brand is the best PF in the east demonstrates just how sorry the eastern conference is. He wouldn't even be one of the top FIVE pf's in the west. He isn't the type of player who can or probably ever be able to carry a team on his back. He is an excellent complementary player, like Pippen was in Chicago. A truly legendary player will be able to carry a team, like I think Francis will be able to do. ------------------
People should keep in mind that it's not all about stats. Think about how much tougher a time young Steve is having. Even before the season began, he was branded as the next Allen Iverson...a spoiled brat with an attitude. Even us Rocket fans were doubtful about his character. However, like the winner he is, he proved us all wrong. On top of that, he came to the NBA having to learn the toughest position in the league and has come out looking like a veteran. Keeping a magnificent balance between having his players happy and playing great himself, the guy desrves to be the Rookie of the Year. Brand, on the other hand, came to a team with no stars. Expected to do it all himself, he's had a lot of freedom. He's had time to settle comfortably and was able to afford a few months learning the game without expectations in the beginning of the season. ------------------ Nederland 2000 NBA+stupidity=Brand ROY NBA+common sense=Franchise MVP Houston Rockets Space Center- Not just another ClutchCity.NET clone
I know it isn't all about stats. Karl Malone KG Duncan Rasheed Webber This is the list of power forwards "better" than Brand. Did I miss anyone? This is elite company. I want Francis to win it, but I see the case for Brand. I think Brand will be able to put the bulls on his back when the bulls have a NBA team. Francis, ditto. Brand is one of the better rebounders. I am not spotting numbers. This is my opinion. He's fast, got the wingspan of a 747, and strong. I would probably vote cowinners if it was an option. ------------------ Moochie hear no evil Moochie speak no evil Moochie see no evil
You can make Antonio McDyess being a better player than Brand. He isn't as consistent as I would like, but he is definitely more physically talented(explosiveness) than Brand. If it means anything in head to head comparisons, Francis is a better rebounder for a point guard than Brand is a passer for a power forward. In fact, I think Francis will become the greatest rebounding point guard of all time. Has a rookie point guard ever got 17 rebounds in a game? Maybe Magic Johnson, but I kind of doubt it. ------------------
