5. Patrick Patterson, Houston Rockets – 10.0 points, 10.0 rebounds, .583 FG% Just a few short weeks ago, Patrick Patterson was spending a nine-game stint in the D-League with the Rockets affiliate, the Rio Grande Valley Vipers. With Chuck Hayes expected to miss 2-4 weeks after suffering an ankle injury in practice, Patterson went from the NBADL to Coach Rick Adelman's rotation and is making the most of the opportunity. In his first extended NBA minutes (the former Kentucky big man played just 15 total minutes before getting 25 minutes against the Raptors on New Year's Eve) on Dec. 31, Patterson recorded his first career double-double, scoring 15 points (on 6-9 shooting) and grabbing 10 rebounds. On Sunday, he played a career-high 27 minutes and, while he only scored five points (he only attempted three field-goals) Patterson, again, pulled down 10 rebounds and dished out two assists. The most impressive aspect of his play has been what Patterson has done of the defensive end of the floor prompting Adelman to single out Patterson's efforts in that aspect of the game. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=18366
Cause so far he deserves it. Blake is a machine. I am a Rockets fan at heart. But so far Blake Griffin is the ROY. Fierguard Bleed Red Rocket's Red
Aslong as Patterson comes 2nd in the Ladder its all good. But we might not see that happen when Chuck Hayes is back.
He's ranked 10th on the NBA.com Rookie Ladder I left the Las Vegas Summer League high on Patterson. He was a guy who worked hard, had an NBA-ready body, knocked down the midrange shot and played defense. So I was a little surprised to see him languish on the bench early in the season. Patterson was shipped to the D-League (where he played nine games), but with injuries to Yao Ming and, most recently, Chuch Hayes, Patterson is finally getting minutes. And he looks like the real deal. In his first extended minutes, the UK product had a double-double, and he's averaging 8.7 points and 7.7 rebounds in his last three games. "Of all of our bigs playing, he's probably the best team defender we have," coach Rick Adelman said. "He really understands where he should be, when he should be. I think he's ahead of other guys." -- Jan. 4, 8:30 p.m. ET As we see this is nearly week old so we can expect some climb this week.
As amazing as Blake Griffin has been, I don't think he deserves it. There is just so much advantage just by sitting around NBA players and watching the game. Blake Griffin had a whole year to learn and adapt to the game.
Totally irrelevent, he is eligible, and he will earn it with his production on the court. You and I watch the NBA, for years, and we can't do what he does. DD
I do believe Blake Griffin is an all-star, not a rookie. He might technically be a rookie according to the regulations, but he has had two preseasons and summer leagues to prep for this year. However, he will run away with the prize, but rookies like Patrick Patterson(when the season is overwith) and Landry Fields deserve some recognition at least.
How does Blake "learn and adapt his game" while rehabbing from injury? and if you do take Griffin out of the race the award should go to Landry Fields.
How is that "totally irrelevent"? And where did I imply watching the NBA makes us capable of doing what Griffin does? You honestly don't think Griffin received a huge advantage just by being around NBA players, in an NBA environment, watching NBA players, listening to an NBA coach and playing around with NBA players? Griffin is technically a rookie, sure. And he probably would have won it last year if he wasn't injured, but he still received a huge advantage nevertheless. Griffin learnt the NBA game whiles the other rookies played in College.
Then you haven't been watching much of Greg Oden after his first season ending injury and before his second. Granted, I have already forgotten how many injuries Oden suffered, but if you have been watching him play, he was the epitome of efficiency for centers.
I wouldn't take away a ROY from him, but I think you might be right that he's much better this year than he would have been last year if he played. There's no way to prove it, though.
One thing that stood out from your post is "he probably would have won it last year" One thing that stood out from this article: Patterson was not called up after Hayes was injured... He was called up way before. He's just getting significant minutes now that Hayes is hurt.
Patterson's shooting numbers are kind of a mirage, I think. He's taking a large number of shots from 16-23 feet (mostly spot-up ones, often off pick and pops) and hitting more than 65% of these. That kind of accuracy just ain't sustainable no matter how good you are. I mean, there are many good shooting bigs in the NBA and nobody hits that kind of numbers from 16-23 feet as far as I remember.
