LeBron. I think Marc Stein made the point that if you switched them the Nugs still would've made the playoffs and the Cavs still wouldn't, and I agree. LeBron's 20-5-5 stat line is only the third time in NBA history a rookie has accomplished that, so I'm going with him. Props to 'Melo for a great season, though. He'd have easily beaten K-Mart, Mike Miller, and Amare the last three years. (Though YAO should've won last year, I thought.)
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I gotta go with LeBron, for the same reason JJD made above. Additionally, the Nuggets had a completely revamped and improved roster before the season started. The point was made somewhere on ESPN.com (maybe in the most recent power rankings) that the Cavs took over half of a season to tailor the lineup to suit LeBron. Give him McInnis and crew the whole season and the Cavs cruise into the playoffs. Carmelo had Jon Barry, a vastly improved Nene, and a true PG in Andre Miller to get him the ball.
Also, as a dark horse, I think one has to look at Dwayne Wade from the Heat. He obviously won't win it, but in any other year, I think he has to be a lock, especially for leading that relatively moribund team to the playoffs (even if Lamar Odom and Rafer Alston had a great deal to do with that as well).
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Plus, LeBron had the Cavs (the CAVS!) in playoff contention late in the year, with a lesser supporting staff than 'Melo had. Combine that with the tremendous pressure and expectation set on him, and I think LeBron has to win.
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Originally posted by BattlezonePlus, LeBron had the Cavs (the CAVS!) in playoff contention late in the year, with a lesser supporting staff than 'Melo had. Combine that with the tremendous pressure and expectation set on him, and I think LeBron has to win.
But Cleveland plays in the EAST....everyone is in playoff contention in the East. Well, except Chicago
Seriously, getting the Nuggets into the playoffs in the West is a very big deal. Even if the Cavs had made the playoffs in the East, I'd still go with Melo. Since they didn't....well, I definitely go with Melo.
Yes, the Cavs are sucky and always have been. Turning them around...at least somewhat....is an accomplishment.
BUT Denver and Cleveland finished with identical records last season...both had just 17 wins. Denver finished with a winning record in the West. Cleveland finished with a losing record in the East. That makes the choice easy to me.
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no one rookie has EVER had as much pressure on him as Lebron had this season. All eyes have been on him ALL season, and he still put up 20-5-5. With all due respect to Carmelo, (who had a GREAT year too), I think Lebron's the no-brainer.
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LeBron, pretty much for the reasons that JJD listed. He was awesome this year, really turned it up a notch when he had to. Correct me if I'm worng, but Melo was at one position all year. LeBron actually started out at point guard, straight from high school! When the Cavs finally got McInnis, LeBron was able to move to shooting guard and really blossom. That's some impressive versatility there. Trust me, the Cavs do not have nearly the supporting cast that the Nuggets had this year. Z and Boozer are going to become that, but they're still young(-ish for Z).
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Again, echoing JJD, I think it has to go to LeBron based on the criteria for the award. The rookie of the year is the rookie who has the best individual season, not the rookie who is most valuable to his team, correct? Those are two totally different questions. Rookie MVP is Carmelo, ROY is LeBron.
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