Some of these categories are void, due to position, ie FG% (Brand will obviously shoot a higher % in the low post), BPG (here again, blocks will be nearly void due to Stevie's size as compared to Brand), but they will look more at what the player brings to the team, and how successful the team has been over the course of the season. Brand is doing well, but the Bulls are BAD. Stevie, I think has had a bigger team impact. But it is a close race. Some politics will play a part too, but you just never know.
Its a close race but the way Stevie has been playing, Brand is a sure thing. Brand's numbers are inflated because he is the only guy on the team. He's good but I think Francis brings something else to the game. The Rockets struggle without him. If Brand sat out...the Bulls would still lose.
First lets compare the numbers between the best two candidates - Francis and Brand. ----------Francis---Brand FG PCT----42.5-----+48.0 FT PCT---+77.6------66.8 BLK-------0.3------+1.5 STL------+1.5-------0.9 TO--------4.0------+2.7 REB-------5.2------+9.8 AST------+6.9-------1.8 PTS-------17.3-----+18.6 The Rockets have 31 games to go, and the Bulls have 29 games to go. Brand leads in five of the 8 major categories. I think one way Franis can win is if he brings up his scoring average. His rebounds are damn good for a guard. Ast are pretty good for a rookie. His FG percentage can sure use a little help. Whichever finishes with more momentum would win it. So Francis, even if he does not lead all rookies in scoring still has a chance. With about 30 games to anything can happen. No more scoring o or 6 pts a game. I dont want another superstar of ours losing to Chicago again for ROY damn it. In the offseason I also think it might help to attract big name people (via trade or free agency)if you tell them we have the Rookie of the Year. One thing that might help Francis is that the Rockets will finish with about twice as many wins as the Bulls. Even thought Brand has better numbers, I think Francis would have even better numbers if he was on the Bulls. Brand has no one to share the ball with, while Franics had to keep Charles and Hakeem happy for a limited time. Mobley, Shandon, and Kenny also need to score which prohibits Steve from scoring.
