Kevin Durant named ROY

[Andrew]

It's official

I think most people called that one, whether they agreed with it or not.

[Lamrock]

Heh; it was announced two days ago. I guess it says something about the award.

Shit decision. Durant was awful this year, and did not at all deserve the award.

[GoHornets]

well, obviously Durant was going to win it.
Im not agree with this Horford was better.

[Mayerhendrix]

Horford's good, don't get me wrong, but his achievements were magnified to a certain extent because he played on a team that actually had something to play for, while the Sonics were just a joke show that really didn't have winning as a priority this season.

Kevin Durant's shown signs of improvement and there is no doubt he will be better in the long run, although he may have struggled at first. It's not easy to make a transition to the NBA and we've seen players like Andrew Bynum or Danny Granger simmer for a few years before finally exploding, Durant's entitled to a few developmental years too.

[Lamrock]

Kevin Durant's shown signs of improvement and there is no doubt he will be better in the long run, although he may have struggled at first. It's not easy to make a transition to the NBA and we've seen players like Andrew Bynum or Danny Granger simmer for a few years before finally exploding, Durant's entitled to a few developmental years too.

This is Rookie of the Year, not most talented rookie. Al Horford was the better player this year. This isn't the "who will be better in the long run" award. If so, Dwight Howard would have swept Rookie of the Year voting in 2005. (as opposed to coming in third)

[Oznogrd]

20.3 PPG 4.4 RPG 2.4 Apg .94 BPG-Durant (SF/SG)
10.1 PPG 9 RPG 1.5 Apg .94 BPG-Horford (PF/C)

Let me also add, Horford had a team, he didnt have to be the go to guy, durant did. 10 more ppg, a decent rebounding stat for a non big man, and the same blocks per game as horford: i'd take Durant over Horford msyelf...

[benji]

Decent? Should a 6-9 guy have similar rebounding numbers to 6-3 guys like Monta Ellis, Juan Dixon, etc.?

And...repost:
[table][mrow]Player[mcol]MP[mcol]P36[mcol]R36[mcol]A36[mcol]TS%[mcol]ORB%[mcol]TRB%[mcol]AST%[mcol]STL%[mcol]BLK%[mcol]TOV%[mcol]USG%
[row]Carl Landry[col]711[col]17.3[col]10.5[col]1.1[col].641[col]15.5[col]16.4[col]5.2[col]1.3[col]0.7[col]8.9[col]18.8
[row]Thaddeus Young[col]1554[col]14.1[col]7.2[col]1.3[col].570[col]9.1[col]11.9[col]6.2[col]2.5[col]0.4[col]10.7[col]17.4
[row]Luis Scola[col]2024[col]15.1[col]9.3[col]1.9[col].548[col]9.9[col]14.6[col]8.9[col]1.6[col]0.7[col]12.0[col]19.8
[row]Kevin Durant[col]2768[col]21.1[col]4.5[col]2.5[col].519[col]2.8[col]6.9[col]12.0[col]1.4[col]1.9[col]12.9[col]28.1
[row]Joakim Noah[col]1534[col]11.5[col]9.8[col]2.0[col].539[col]12.4[col]15.3[col]8.6[col]2.3[col]3.3[col]16.4[col]15.6
[row]Jamario Moon[col]2166[col]11.0[col]8.0[col]1.5[col].540[col]5.0[col]13.2[col]6.2[col]2.0[col]4.0[col]7.7[col]14.4
[row]Al Horford[col]2540[col]11.6[col]11.1[col]1.8[col].539[col]11.4[col]18.0[col]7.9[col]1.2[col]2.2[col]15.3[col]16.0
[row]Sean Williams[col]1278[col]11.5[col]9.1[col]0.8[col].563[col]10.4[col]14.6[col]3.7[col]1.1[col]6.5[col]16.1[col]15.5[/table]

This isn't the "who will be better in the long run" award. If so, Dwight Howard would have swept Rookie of the Year voting in 2005. (as opposed to coming in third)

Some might argue he probably should've won based on that season alone...

"We haven't had a power forward/center come in our league and do what he's done [average a double-double] in I don't know how many years," Woodson added. "I mean, come on, man."

Except, you know, three years ago when both Okafor and Howard did it. And Brand who came in and averaged 20/10.

[Andrew]

No to mention the fact he didn't actually average a double-double, which I guess is a pretty pedantic point but if we're to be pedantic about it, he didn't achieve that mark.

[The X]

I didn't really get to see Durant play outside of highlights, so can't really give a decisive opinion on this one. On one hand, I really liked Horford & he started & double-doubled (almost) on a playoff team (previously not a playoff team for almost a decade), plus he's really skilled, a winner & on his way to multiple future All-Star appearances once he becomes more focal point of Hawks' offence.

Then there is Durant, who seemed to struggle for more than half the season. The Sonics also stunk it up & outside of the couple of buzzer beaters he got, he didn't seem to help them much in the win column. He did finish season strong though.

My ROY vote would've been for Horford, with Durant 2nd & Scola 3rd. But then again, I would've voted for Paul Pierce ahead of Vince Carter, & Carmelo Anthony ahead of Lebron James.

So I've got no problems with Durant winning as he is deserving of the award. I just thought it should've been a lot closer. Wasn't even close when he should've been (as should Kobe-Paul race, although that probably won't be close either).

[benji]

plus [Horford]'s ... a winner

Care to elaborate?

on his way to multiple future All-Star appearances

And Durant doesn't look like he is? (Players who have put up similarly constructed rookie seasons to Durant. And Horford. That last guy on Horford's list is amusing.)

[The X]

plus [Horford]'s ... a winner

Care to elaborate?

I'm obviously factoring in his college experience with the Gators when I say this. Obviously a direct correlation to being "a winner" in the pros can't be made at this stage as the Hawks were on marginally better in the regular season than in previous years.

on his way to multiple future All-Star appearances

And Durant doesn't look like he is?

I didn't say that he wasn't, he definitely is & that seems more of a given than that for Horford. I wouldn't guarantee Durant will be an All-Star next year, especially given the depth at the forward spots out West (which caused Melo to not get an All-Star berth until this past season), but I could see him being one by his third season.

(Players who have put up similarly constructed rookie seasons to Durant. And Horford. That last guy on Horford's list is amusing.)

Horford's list looks pretty good, barring Shelden Williams of course, whom played only about 18 minutes per game (compared to Horford's 31 per game), & whom Al easily beat out this season.

As for Durant, shooting % wise & rebounding numbers, his rookie season looks on par to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Chris Jackson at the time), Carmelo Anthony & Rex Chapman. Still very good rookie season by Durant though.

As said before, I got no issues with Durant winning ROY, but my vote would've been Horford just edging him out for that spot.

[benji]

I'm obviously factoring in his college experience with the Gators when I say this. Obviously a direct correlation to being "a winner" in the pros can't be made at this stage as the Hawks were on marginally better in the regular season than in previous years.

But those are the teams he's played on, not him. Just being on a team that wins does not make you a "winner" does it?

As for Durant, shooting % wise & rebounding numbers, his rookie season looks on par to Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (Chris Jackson at the time), Carmelo Anthony & Rex Chapman

Actually only Melo is close on shooting %. Durant is 52%, Chapman 47%, Jackson 45% and Anthony 51%. Setting the critera closer to Durant shortens the list even more.

[The X]

Actually only Melo is close on shooting %. Durant is 52%, Chapman 47%, Jackson 45% and Anthony 51%. Setting the critera closer to Durant shortens the list even more.

ahh true, I wasn't looking at true shooting %....I guess his very good FT shooting helps considerably....if he can keep that sort of FT shooting going throughout his career, he'll be a very tough matchup....good old Elton Brand, he's a stud....shame he couldn't shoot a better FT% or he would be a lot closer to MJ....

[Sauru]

i still would have gone with horford myself but whatever, like it has already been said before awards dont really mean or prove anything