Has Stephen Curry Cemented the ROY Award with His 42-Point Game?

If the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award was given out after the first half of the season, there would be no question that Tyreke Evans would have won it. In the second half of the season, though, Stephen Curry began to have the spotlight shine on him. 

The question now becomes, has Curry surpassed Evans for Rookie of the Year? Even though Evans has become only the fourth player in NBA history to average at least 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists in his rookie year?

For these two rookies, looking at the team record to try and determine a winner doesn't help. Both teams ended up with similar records, with the Kings ending the season 25-57 and the Warriors finishing 26-56. 

Looking at their numbers gives a better idea of what each player did. Evans' numbers were 20.1 points, 5.8 assists, 5.3 rebounds, 1.5 steals, on 45.8 percent from the field, 25.5 percent from three, and 74.8 percent from the free throw line.

He hit the 30-point mark four times and double digits in assists seven times, but did not have a game in which he had 30-plus points and double-digit assists. He hit his career high in assists with 13. He also had 13 double-doubles and a triple-double. 

Curry's numbers were 17.4 points, 5.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 1.9 steals, on 46.2 percent from the floor, 43.7 percent from beyond the arc, and 88.5 percent from the free throw line.

He had eight 30-point games and nine nights of double-digit assists. Curry had five games when he had 30-plus points and double-digit assists. His career high in assists is 15. He also had 12 double-doubles and one triple-double. 

Curry had more 30-point games, he had more nights with double-digit assists, he averaged more assists per game, averaged more steals, shot better from the field, shot better from three, and shot better from the free throw line. 

Evans had one more double-double, averaged more points, and averaged more rebounds than Curry. 

Curry defeated Evans in seven categories while Evans defeated Curry in three categories. 

Another question that may come up in voters' minds is how each finished the season. Curry ended up with a 42-point, nine-rebound, and eight-assist night. Evans on the other hand was ejected, and ended the season with a 10-point, three-assist, and one-rebound night. 

Curry seems to have cemented his place as the winner of the Rookie of the Year Award. His numbers and the way he ended the season will be etched in the minds of voters. Curry is the Rookie of the Year.