Case for AD as ROY

quote:

---

I got into this a little bit last night on Twitter, but I’ll say it again here: I’d vote for Anthony Davis for Rookie of the Year, today, if I had a vote. Lillard’s played nearly 1,000 more minutes, averages more points and assists per game, and is on a team that is technically in the playoff hunt, but I just think Davis has been better when he’s been on the court. His per-minute production, efficiency and defense give him an edge that Lillard’s heavier minutes load isn’t big enough to overcome, at least for me. I also don’t think–and never have thought–that team success should be a category in individual awards voting, least of all Rookie of the Year, which is ostensibly about who the best rookie was throughout the season, not which rookie happened to have good teammates. LaMarcus Aldridge, Nic Batum and even JJ Hickson have played sizable roles in making Portland a playoff “contender,” (they’re three games back with 18 to play) and I’m not sure it’s even arguable that Lillard’s been more important than either Aldridge or Batum, not with his defensive shortcomings. Davis hasn’t been a defensive monster from day one like many–including myself–thought he would be, but he’s been solid enough, and worlds better than Lillard in that regard. He’s struggled a bit with the speed of pick-and-rolls, but his positioning has been good and he’s clearly gotten a better grasp of things as the year has gone on. He’s also managed to average a combined 3.8 steals and blocks per-36 minutes in the meantime. He draws more free throws per minute, shoots a far better percentage from the floor and has a much higher PER and even a higher offensive rating despite a lower usage rate. Lillard’s been good. Davis has been better. I think.

---