http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/news/2003/04/22/stoudemire_report_ap/ 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 1978. He would be the first player to come directly from high school and win the honor.
