Durant gets ROY

[$tunna]

BOSTON -

Horford has conceded the Rookie of the Year race to Seattle's Kevin Durant.

Horford said he phoned Durant before Wednesday morning's practice to congratulate him on winning the honor.


Horford and the Hawks play Game 5 against Boston tonight at TD Banknorth Garden in a series that is tied, 2-2. The Seattle Times, citing two anonymous league sources, reported on Wednesday that Durant had won the award.

"I'm happy for Kevin and he's more than deserving," Horford said. "That award wasn't something I spent my season focused on. When I came here the only thing on my mind was helping my team make the playoffs, period. We're in the midst of that right now and I wouldn't trade what we're doing right now for anything."

Durant had the highest scoring average (20.3) for a rookie since LeBron James averaged 20.9 during his first season. Durant won Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors five times (out of six) this season.

Horford tied for 11th overall in the league in rebounds (9.7), averaged 10.1 points on a playoff team and was a three-time Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honoree.

Horford helped the Hawks end a nine-year playoff drought and did so while playing out of position on a Hawks team without any depth at center.

"Obviously, we felt like Al should have won the award," Hawks coach Mike Woodson said. "You can't take anything from what Durant did. But for Al to do what he did, playing out of position all year, and then helping take us over the top and into the playoffs. It's hard for me to see where this guy isn't everybody's rookie of the year."

Horford = Robbed

 

[RipCity32]

Meh after what Horford has done this post-season I would give it to him. But this is regular season, and Durant had the better numbers. So Durant deserved it.

 

[playmaker7]

Well Durant is the star player on his team. No wonder why he has padded stats. BTS FTW

 

[$tunna]

Meh after what Horford has done this post-season I would give it to him. But this is regular season, and Durant had the better numbers. So Durant deserved it.

dude Horford got 26 double-doubles to Durants zero and Horford averaged nearly a double-double to Durants 20PPG when Durant has to shoot an extreme amount of shots every game.

 

[$tunna]

So, what’s the point in disguising it as the “Rookie of the Year” award? The NBA should just go ahead & call it “The Rookie Scoring Title.”

True ^

 

[RipCity32]

Well arguing the fact Horford should of got won't change anything lol.

Even though yes, he should of. But imagine Durant on a good team, he would be easily the winner right?

 

[The Young One]

Congrats to Kevin. He put up some good scoring numbers. Horford had a hell of a rookie season. he shouldnt be mad he did what he wanted to do he got his team in the playoffs.

 

[RipCity32]

If I'm Horford, I go out and show the league why they should of picked him instead. And the way to do that, is continue to beat Boston.

 

[The Young One]

If I'm Horford, I go out and show the league why they should of picked him instead. And the way to do that, is continue to beat Boston.

They wont do that though

 

[bulls12]

Shouldn't they at least base it on how a rookie affects his team? There's no way the Hawks could have made the playoffs without Al Horford on their team. Plus, a rookie is supposed to make his team better, not worse. The Hawks went from 30-52 to 37-45 which is a considerable improvement along with making the playoffs. The Sonics went from 31-51 to 20-62, which is a difference of -11 wins on their record. A rookie should at least make an improvement on his team.

 

[The Young One]

Shouldn't they at least base it on how a rookie affects his team? There's no way the Hawks could have made the playoffs without Al Horford on their team. Plus, a rookie is supposed to make his team better, not worse. The Hawks went from 30-52 to 37-45 which is a considerable improvement along with making the playoffs. The Sonics went from 31-51 to 20-62, which is a difference of -11 wins on their record. A rookie should at least make an improvement on his team.

Dude look at the sonics then look at the hawks. Before you start

 

[DJT]

If Horford would have been able to score more, and didn't sit on the bench for the first part of the season so much, he would have gotten it. But Durant clearly deserves this.

 

[bulls12]

If the Sonics wouldn't have made that dumbass three-way trade to get basically no one back in return for Szczerbiak and West.

 

[DJT]

If the Sonics wouldn't have made that dumbass three-way trade to get basically no one back in return for Szczerbiak and West.

Even before that they had no one. The Hawks have JoJo, Childress, Marv, and Smith.

 

[bulls12]

I wonder if the Blazers would have taken Durant instead, would he still win the ROTY on that team...

Coulda been 2nd straight ROTY in Portland.

 

[-Torres-]

I think Horford should have gotten it. He nearly averaged a double-double, and he helped his team make the playoffs and even win some games against one of the best teams in the league. Atlanta has a lot of scoring options, if Horford was on a team like the Sonics, he would have averaged more points. Not to mention he played Center all year and he's really a power forward. He'd abuse a lot of forwards in the league.

ROTY does = Rookie scoring title

 

[DJT]

Eh...just like the All-Star game, its a popularity contest. People heard alot about Durant this year, then they did Horford. Dang those voters (think its like GMs and coaches or something like that)

 

[-Torres-]

Eh...just like the All-Star game, its a popularity contest. People heard alot about Durant this year, then they did Horford. Dang those voters (think its like GMs and coaches or something like that)

Yeah, its ridculous, averaging 10 rpg is harder than 20 ppg when you shoot as much as Durant. I like Durant, but Horford deserved it.

 

[JoshHoward5]

You guys act like Durant is shooting 30%. Durant has been averaging 20 points on a crap team. He has no one around him, and getting doubled every time he touched the ball. He has beaten those double teams to get 20 PPG, and has been a clutch player for the Sonics this year. This ROTY is very deserving.

 

[CameronCrazy06]

Durant deserved ROTY for sure, Horford was good, but Durant had a GREAT rookie season.