Just received word that Blazers rookie Brandon Roy will NOT become the third-ever unanimous selection of the NBA's Rookie of the Year.
Toronto television play-by-play man Chuck Swirsky emailed to inform me he voted for Raptors big man Andrea Bargnani ahead of Roy. Swirsky wrote "...there is no doubt (Roy) will win the award, and he had a terrific season, however I voted for Bargnani..."
Swirsky went on to state his case for Bargnani:
*He played a significant role on a playoff team
*Raptors tied a franchise-record with 47 wins; Blazers won 30 (actually, Blazers won 32)
*Bargnani was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month in January and February
*In January, Bargnani averaged 11 points and 3 rebounds with 39 percent three-pointers and 94 percent free throws
*In February, Bargnani averaged 14 points, 3 rebounds with 50 percent field goal, 48 percent three-pointers and 82 percent free throw
*As a team during those two months, the Raptors went 18-9
*Bargnani averaged 10 fewer minutes per game than Roy
*Bargnani attempted an average of four fewer shots than Roy, and was the Raptors fourth option behind Chris Bosh, TJ Ford and Anthony Parker.
*Bargnani hit a jumper in overtime that helped beat the Blazers in the Rose Garden
Of course, Blazers fans can, and will, pick apart most of Swirsky's rationalizations.
For instance, Roy won three straight Western Conference Rookie of the Month awards (January through March). He averaged 16.6 points in January and 17.2 points in February.
Plus, Roy owns a long list of late-game heroics, including four three pointers in the final seconds of regulation that forced overtime.
Swirsky closed with this:
"For what it's worth I am from Seattle and loved Roy's game at UW..but in this case having seen Bargnani day after day and the job he did for the Raps helping them tie a franchise record 47 games was a key factor."
The only unanimous Rookie of the Year winners were Houston's Ralph Sampson (1983-84) and San Antonio's David Robinson (1989-90).
Again, the NBA will announce the Rookie of the Year on Wednesday.
MOLTO INTERESSANTE
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindblazer ... s_roy.html