The Race for the NBA Rookie of the Year

There are basicly 5 NBA players that are even close to being in the running for rookie of the year, Kevin Durant (obviously), Al Horford, Luis Scola and an outside shots go to Apollo 33/Jamario Moon and Al Thornton.

Right now, Kevin Durant is the leading candidate for rookie of the year, but does he really deserve it? He averages 19.9 points at 4.1 rebounds a game, not bad hey?...except hes on one of the worst teams in the league...shooting barely over 40 percent from the field...and has been virtually doing nothing for his team other than scoring and getting the odd rebound.

 Al Horford is a legitimate candidate, although he averages a whole 9.9 points less then Durant a game, he averages 9.6 rebounds a game. Al Horford is almost a walking double double. (only 0.4 rebounds away from averaging one) Horford also shoots 49.7% from the field, a lot better then Durant. Not to mention Horford is a key player on a team in the playoff hunt.

 Now we move to the Rockets' Luis Scola. Scola isn't a big scorer or a bruising rebounder, but he is a very key player on a Yao-less Houston Rockets team. On the season, Scola is averaging 9.9 points per game along with 6.1 rebounds while shooting 51.4% from the field. Luis Scola has played a huge role in the Rockets offence since Yao went down. Scola is on the best team out of the players in contention. He should definitely be considered for the rookie of the year.

 Thornton is a solid rookie who probably wont win. He would have to have a fantastic last few games for it, but his name deserves a mention none the less. Thornton gets 12.5 ppg and brings in 4.3 rebounds a game.

Being a Raptor fan, Jamario Moon is my favorite rookie. His chance of winning isn't very high though. Jamario is definitely the best defensive player out of the rookies. He gives the raptors over a steal and 1.4 blocks a game. He averages 8.6 points while shooting 48.7% from the field and brings down 6.3 rebounds a game. He is a lock down defender and should be considered for the trophy.

Yi Janelian is a decent rookie to but doesn't quite have what it takes to win the award.

To some it all up, i think the rookie of the year should be between Durant and Horford. If Horford doesn't make the playoffs, then he's no different then Durant there, but if he does, that gives him an edge that I think might give the award to him. Those are the two favourites but all of these players have a chance.