Comments on: Who Should Be the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year? Weighing in With Early Picks, Part II

By: Skyer

Skyer — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:09:39 +0000

I think the Bulls is making a serious late playoff run. D.Rose +1.

By: ohiobasketball

ohiobasketball — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 01:31:09 +0000

Zoner-

You’re right, the Bulls didn’t have any talented players when Rose arrived. Gordon, Deng, Nocioni, Hinrich.

With the exception of Durant, take a look at the Thunder’s players -Jeff Green, Kyle Weaver, Nick Collison, Nenad Krstic, Earl Watson.

I’ll leave out Sefolosha, because he played for both the Bulls and Thunder this season.

Before you prove your ignorance, take some time to interpret the context of my stance. Westbrook has similar accomplishments as Rose despite being surrounded with less talent and playing for a team that has began their first year in the NBA.

By: Andrew Thell

Andrew Thell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:06:39 +0000

vatreni-

That’s not a bad comparison, given the exceptional rebounding from the PG position. The overall line of late looks pretty similar, though Francis was always very sloppy with the basketball even if he was slightly more efficient from the field.

Here’s hoping this story has another ending…

By: Andrew Thell

Andrew Thell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 23:04:14 +0000

I’m not going to argue with anybody who thinks Rose should be ROY, it’s not a difficult viewpoint to see. From what I’ve seen the defense has been wanting, but he’s quality. He’ll be an All Star soon, no doubt. And honestly, I haven’t watched as much of the Bulls this season – likely because of my non-sexual crushes on Durant and Jeff Green. I don’t think it’s a tell-all stat, but I was surprised to see that Westbrook actually has a higher PER on the season despite the large FG% disparity.

That said, I’m usually NOT a fan of low-FG% guys as franchise cornerstones, so perhaps there’s some homerism going on here.

By: The Zoner

The Zoner — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:00:14 +0000

Rose was drafted into a successful franchise? Had talent around him? What team are you watching? Dude, switch off ESPN Classic!

As for Westbrook, DRose still averages more points, assists, minutes per game and shoots 47%. I don’t disagree that he is a comer, but right now I still think it’s DRose for ROY.

By: vatreni

vatreni — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 21:33:18 +0000

is it just me, or does westbrook not remind you of steve francis? (when he came into the league, the impact he had)

By: Andrew Thell

Andrew Thell — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 20:37:34 +0000

Love wasn’t invited to the Rookie Challenge, but I don’t think you can really blame him for that…

http://www.emptythebench.com/2009/02/06/2009-nba-rookie-challenge-snubs/

By: ohiobasketball

ohiobasketball — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:52:40 +0000

Both of you really seam to like Westbrook a lot. I can’t really make an argument against Westbrook because I have only seen his play in ESPN highlights.

Having seen Rose play multiple times, it would be hard to pick against him for this honor. However, there is one major difference I would like to point out. Rose was drafted to a successful franchise and surrounded by talent. Despite this, the Bulls have underachieved as a team this year. Westbrook’s situation is much tougher – a brand new team with very young, unexperienced players playing its first year in the NBA. For being “thrown into the fire,” Westbrook has held his own and has been tremendous asset to a team trying to develop an identity.

If both Westbrook and Rose continue their play it will be a very tough vote.

By: kellex

kellex — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:10:42 +0000

I’d put Rudy Fernandez in there instead of Kevin Love. He’s been so bad he didn’t even make the Rookie squad at the All-Star game.

I obviously have a little bias being a Blazers fan, but Kevin Love has been as many predicted, a flop.

But Russie for sure for ROY. Kid is ill.