Joe Alexander, Rudy Fernandez, or Russell Westbrook? That’s it?
Larry Brown Sports —
I’m not saying that the Home Run Derby packs the best stars in the game each year, but half the contestants are legitimate stars if not all of them. Why is it that the Slam Dunk Competition at the NBA All-Star game is too frequently devoid of stars? Dwight Howard’s a monster and watching him participate is a pleasure. Rudy Gay’s an up-and-coming player but not an All-Star. And Nate Robinson? He may be a defending champ but let’s get real — he’s nowhere near a star player. So already you have two contestants that really aren’t stars and the ...
Vote for Russell!
The Thunderworld —
Not only has Russell Westbrook's stock soared over the past few weeks, as evidenced by his rise in NBA.com's rookie rankings (he's up to No. 3), but now he's got a chance to show his unreal athleticism on the big stage: The Sprite Slam Dunk Competition. But in order to get there, Westbrook needs your vote. It him, Rudy Fernandez of Portland or Joe Alexander from Milwaukee. I don't think there's any question that Russell can electrify and dazzle. Vote for him. A couple more examples of why he clearly deserves your ...
Who Should Be the 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year? Weighing in With Early Picks, Part II
Empty the Bench —
Russell Westbrook and Kevin Love Photo Credit: Icon SMI
- See Also: Brian’s 2009 NBA Rookie of the Year Pick
Like all of the annual NBA awards, the criteria for determining Rookie of the Year are nebulous at best. Is it merely the player who put up the best stats? The guy who improved his team the most? The kid who flashed the most individual potential? The rookie who projects to be the most valuable to his team over his career? The young man who simply acquitted himself most convincingly at the professional level? The player who you would draft first if you ...
