2008-2009 NBA Rookie Of The Year Prediction

Although we've had our fair share of Sam Bowies, Pervis Ellisons, Danny Ferrys, and Joe Smiths, more often than not teams with either the first or second overall pick will get a Rookie of the Year winner. In fact, it's been 20 years since the last player to win Rookie of the Year was drafted outside of the top 10 (Mark Jackson in the 1987-1988 season). Since then, 13 of the last 20 Rookie of the Year winners were selected either first or second in their respective draft class. With that in mind, I've narrowed the field down to the first two picks, which makes it into a three-horse race. That's right, three. It's one of those rare occasions where two "No. 1 picks" will be competing for the distinction in the same year. The last time this happened was when David Robinson was drafted in 1987 and didn't play until 1989 where he competed against fellow 1989 No. 1, Pervis Ellsion. Because last year's number one, Greg Oden, was sidelined the entire year by knee surgery his rookie campaign will be ... (link)