The season's end brings a lot of things in the NBA. Playoffs for those who have made it, blame games and early off season work for those who haven't, and of course, awards on the year. Perhaps one of the most debated awards in recent history is the Rookie of the Year honor. Yao v. Stoudemire. Lebron v. Carmelo. If there ever was a year to award co-ROYs, it may be between ex-UConn teammates Ben Gordon and Emeka Okafor this year. That scenario seems improbable, however, so let the debate begin.
Emeka plays for the Charlotte Bobcats, the expansion franchise playing its inaugural season. Being the cornerstone of a new team, Okafor has almost single-handedly brought his team 15 wins, and there's 12 games left to improve upon that total. It should be noted that that total may have been higher if not for a sprained left ankle earlier this year. It also should be noted that by almost single-handedly I mean the starting lineup also includes: Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brizec, Brevin Knight, and Keith Bogans. Nothing against those guys, but their average minutes jumped from 14 last season to 28.6 this season. That says something about the quality of help Emeka has had getting the Bobcats to where they are now. He has shown a willingness to play hurt and the ability to lead.
Emeka's stat column includes 14.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Okafor averages a double-double in a league where only 10 other players do. On the Charlotte Bobcats, he is the man other teams prepare for. He gets the defensive attention of other teams. He ranks 5th in the NBA in rebounds per game, 3rd in offensive rebounds per game, and 6th in double-doubles. Among other rookies, he ranks 2nd in points per game and 1st in rebounds per game. There isn't much more you can ask for from a rookie in his situation.
How does his competition stack up in these aspects of the game? Gordon has a 0.4 edge in the points per game category, but he has that edge while taking more shots than Emeka. Gordon supporters will have you believe he does more with less time, but Ben is 3rd in the NBA is field goals attempted per 48 minutes. He is also 5th in the NBA in turnovers per 48 minutes. And in comparing the two, you must also compare their situations. While the Bulls may have a significant advantage in the standings, it must also be noted that they have an equally significant advantage in personnel. How well do you know the players I listed above? How much would you expect a team consisting of those players and a smattering of no-names? How much would you expect from a team featuring the following players in addition to Gordon: Antonio Davis, Othella Harrington, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Duhon, Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni? With those names in mind, do you feel Ben Gordon is the cause of Chicago's success?
Emeka was essentially thrown into a bad situation in Charlotte, and yet he has lead his team to a decent opening season, through injury, criticism, and the difficulties of learning the NBA game. Gordon was selected by a team on the rise, and granted, he has achieved a lot as a rookie. He is certainly deserving of the Sixth Man of the Year award. However, Emeka's incredible success both as a leader and in the box score as a rookie on a sub par team establishes Okafor as the 2005 Rookie of the Year.
Emeka plays for the Charlotte Bobcats, the expansion franchise playing its inaugural season. Being the cornerstone of a new team, Okafor has almost single-handedly brought his team 15 wins, and there's 12 games left to improve upon that total. It should be noted that that total may have been higher if not for a sprained left ankle earlier this year. It also should be noted that by almost single-handedly I mean the starting lineup also includes: Gerald Wallace, Primoz Brizec, Brevin Knight, and Keith Bogans. Nothing against those guys, but their average minutes jumped from 14 last season to 28.6 this season. That says something about the quality of help Emeka has had getting the Bobcats to where they are now. He has shown a willingness to play hurt and the ability to lead.
Emeka's stat column includes 14.9 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks. Okafor averages a double-double in a league where only 10 other players do. On the Charlotte Bobcats, he is the man other teams prepare for. He gets the defensive attention of other teams. He ranks 5th in the NBA in rebounds per game, 3rd in offensive rebounds per game, and 6th in double-doubles. Among other rookies, he ranks 2nd in points per game and 1st in rebounds per game. There isn't much more you can ask for from a rookie in his situation.
How does his competition stack up in these aspects of the game? Gordon has a 0.4 edge in the points per game category, but he has that edge while taking more shots than Emeka. Gordon supporters will have you believe he does more with less time, but Ben is 3rd in the NBA is field goals attempted per 48 minutes. He is also 5th in the NBA in turnovers per 48 minutes. And in comparing the two, you must also compare their situations. While the Bulls may have a significant advantage in the standings, it must also be noted that they have an equally significant advantage in personnel. How well do you know the players I listed above? How much would you expect a team consisting of those players and a smattering of no-names? How much would you expect from a team featuring the following players in addition to Gordon: Antonio Davis, Othella Harrington, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Duhon, Tyson Chandler, Luol Deng, and Andres Nocioni? With those names in mind, do you feel Ben Gordon is the cause of Chicago's success?
Emeka was essentially thrown into a bad situation in Charlotte, and yet he has lead his team to a decent opening season, through injury, criticism, and the difficulties of learning the NBA game. Gordon was selected by a team on the rise, and granted, he has achieved a lot as a rookie. He is certainly deserving of the Sixth Man of the Year award. However, Emeka's incredible success both as a leader and in the box score as a rookie on a sub par team establishes Okafor as the 2005 Rookie of the Year.
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