Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and O.J. Mayo of the Memphis Grizzlies were unanimous selections to the 2008-09 T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team, the NBA announced today. Rounding out the T-Mobile NBA All-Rookie First Team are Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (53 points), New Jersey’s Brook Lopez (49 points) and Miami’s Michael Beasley (44 points).
… Westbrook, a two-time T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month selection (December, February) was fourth among first-year players in scoring (15.3 ppg) and second in assists (5.3 apg). Westbrook was the only rookie to record a triple-double this season, posting 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists in a 96-87 win over Dallas on March 2.
Great news for Russ. Amazing to think back last June when the pick was made it was seen to have been a reach and something that maybe could develop into a solid choice. But in one season, Westbrook has already validated his high selection. Just another feather in the cap of Sam Presti.
@Keith
Couldn't agree more. Well said.
@J.G.
Well, even with 1 point, 2 wings, and 2 bigs, one of the top guys would be pushed out. The problem this year is that 3 of the top 5 guys are wings. Now, from a pick up and play standpoint, Kobe as your SF and Lebron as your PF is easy, both of those guys would still be best in the league at those positions.
Looking at the rookie team it's a lot easier to fudge, simply because you aren't choosing between Wade+Kobe or Kobe+Duncan-in-a-down-year. You're choosing between Mayo as a SF or Anthony Randolph as anything. I'm still quite miffed that Beasley made the all-rookie team, but what are you gonna do? Hype runs this league and that's not going to be changing anytime soon. Beasley had the hype, he sells tickets, and so he gets the rewards. Love and Gasol were more deserving than Beasley, but it's no worse than Mayo being a unanimous pick.
Just think, Mayo made the team entirely on two months of play. He came out hot and got attention, then had a good final month. Yeah, he can shoot, but he actually looked like less of player as the year wore on.
@Keith
I wonder which one of the guards was made into the SF on the All Rookie Team?
I'll say Rose was the PG, Westbrook was the SG and Mayo was the SF. Although Westbrook does rebound like a SF...hmmmm. Why is Beasley on here again?
Yeah, Keith, I really hope they don't bump one of those out just to have a true "position" player in the slot. All-NBA should mean the top 5 guys in the league to a certain extent since a SG and SF are essentially both Wings, you know? I've always thought they should have it broken down into: 1 Point Guard, 2 Wings, 2 Bigs.
I believe the rookie teams are designed to be made like the All-NBA teams. That means, a PG, SG, SF, PF, and C. They can fudge it a bit, but the idea is to pick top player at each position. Because there were no SFs of note, they fudged in another guard. This is the same thing that people want done in the first team All-NBA team, since there were really no PFs of note this year, and forcing one in will cause one of Kobe, Wade, or Paul to be bumped down.
I agree with Kyle though. I think Westbrook should have gotten more votes for ROY. I don't think he should have been fourth.
@kev
I think he means "got better throughout before crashing in the last month."
Good work Russell. Hopefully we can see even more meaningful votes (All-Star) in the near future.
@Kyle
I will assume you are kidding . . .
Way to go Mr. Westbrook! I still think he should have had more votes for rookie of the year, especially with the way he closed the season.
@Nix
Supposedly the Knicks really wanted him and we willing to move up to get him.
Couldn't we have traded down to get RW?
just saying...
Seriously. Beasley must have gotten by on that No. 2 status. Love or Gordon should have been in front of him. Heck, Marc Gasol could have been in front of him.
Big, standing ovation for Russ. And then one for Presti, too.
But Beasley before Eric Gordon? Really?
Shoot, Beasley before Kevin Love?