There is a poll on the front page left column of NBA.com asking "Which rookie has impressed you the most so far this season?" As of right now, here are the current standings. Yao Ming 42% Caron Butler 28% Drew Gooden 12% Dajuan Wagner 9% Jay Williams 5% Amare Stoudemire 3% Other 1% Total Responses: 36523 Everyone go there and vote for YAO MING! http://www.nba.com/ Chris
The thing that is most impressive about Ming is that he is playing better than all the other rookies AND his team is winning. Wagner, Gooden, Butler, etc can do all they can, but odds are their team is not going anywhere this season. That gives Ming a huge edge in the ROY race.
I have to admit that I was very skeptical about drafting Yao but after seeing him play in person here in LA twice, I am glad that we got Yao. He is definitely in the running for ROY, if not the leading candidate. And to think that I actually thought Chicago got a better player than us after the draft.
It's amazing. Only a few weeks ago, nearly everyone was taking their potshots at Yao and at Houston for picking him. Within the last several games, he's converted almost everyone. Now he's throwing up stats and plays that even the most optimistic Yao fans would probably have only expected after a few years in the league. Yes, we're a society of quick gratification and bandwagoners, but I think people love the kid now because even though he was the No.1 pick he was really the underdog every critic and 'expert' was expecting to fall. Doesn't hurt that he seems like a genuinely nice and humble guy as well!!! What a great find for the game and league!!! Go Rox! Go Yao!
The irony of all this is that if Yao happens to be leading the poll for the rookie of the year come April his detractors will then tell us that he is "not really a rookie" since he has played in the CBA, Olympic and World Championship (The Ichiro Logic).
Ichiro I know it is not going to happen but I hope Matsui goes to H-town! Seriously, I doubt whether he would make as same impact as Ichiro, since I believe he would struggle to outpower the likes of Bond, Sammy or A-Rod. Nonetheless, he should post decent number in the region of 0.270-0.28, 24-30HR 100RBIs. As or ROY, I think Yao would get it, since we have seen in the past (as least in MLB) where former pros being awarded like Nomo. Also, NBA has great incentives to promote Yao for commerical and marketing purposes. Besides, as if he needs such help!.
Rockets were not a winning team, thats why they drafted Ming. Now Rockets are a winning team and a hot team, Ming actually did some help. not odd here. If Yao Ming can keep his stats decent and, most important , help Rockets win , I don't see why he is not ROY. But......maybe not.... I think Yao Ming will enjoy winning 5 games more than 5 ROY awards.He is classic.
Before I read your post, I immediately picked Gooden because of his better all around numbers (fg% not withstanding). However, I failed to consider what you posted here with regards to being on a winner and Yao does indeed have an edge here. I wouldnt expect Gooden's numbers to get much better than they are because Memphis has alot of other talent that they will give just as many, if not more touches to. I think Butler's numbers will go up from where they are now, but should not be more than 15-17PPG by the end of the season. In the end, Wagner will be a sexy pick because of the offensive numbers he may very well end up with. Remember one thing, ROYs have almost always been the rookie with the most gaudy statistics and with very little credence lent to how their team fairs in the win loss column. In the end, if Yao keeps up his learning curve, I think he will end up with better scoring numbers than everyone except Wagner, better rebounding numbers than everyone, better blocked shot numbers than everyone and of course, the highest FG%. Couple that with what you just said, and he should be a unanimous pick IMO.
I'll admit I was pretty skeptical too, but really didn't like any of the others that much either (lots of projects) except for Caron Butler and wasn't sure he was worth the #1.
I don't see how Yao Ming cannot be the pick for ROY. I understand that Gooden, Wagner, Butler, etc. put up nice numbers, but c'mon get real... It should be Yao Ming 95% Wagner 1% Butler 1% Gooden 1% Stoudamire 1% Jay Will 1% PERIOD!
I don't think that Gooden will gain all that much stat wise through out the rest of the season. With their new coach, none of the players on that team are playing more that 30 min. per game. If Ming can play around 30-34 mins, he should be a lock (as long as Wagner doesn't suddenly begin avg. 30pt 5rb 6ast.)
Damn, Boozer has been hella impressive!!! I never expected him to be any more than Marcus Fizer or Othella Harrington at best. Right now he's looking like a shoe-in for the Rookie Game during the All star break, and if he keeps up like this, a first-team all rookie member.
Boozer is solid, but consider the fact that he plays for the Cavs. He is going to get his PT just because of lack of talent.
If Rudy and the rest of the rockets stick to the way they play last night, Yao will be in All-Star. Remember he just bested the reigning MVP! He may even be on the MVP ballot. Rookie of the Year? Forget it!
When this thread started at 3:43 pm. Yao Ming was leading at 42% with a total response of 36,523. Now he leads at 59%- Total Responses: 127,365 That's great. Blatz
