FanHouse RookieOfTheYearRace

In news that should shock approximately no one, Kevin Durant will win the NBA Rookie of the Year Award, the Seattle Times reported early Wednesday.

Durant averaged 20 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists this season with the Sonics, in what may end up being their last in Seattle. Some argued that Atlanta Hawks rookie Al Horford was more deserving, considering his better overall stat line and the fact that the Atlanta Hawks are, you know, still playing basketball and didn't suffer another completely abysmal season. Still others questioned Durant's legitimacy based on his poor shooting percentage, but a late surge helped to quell that tide.

Durant is certainly going to be a dynamic offensive staple for this team, wherever it goes, and whatever it's called. However, to see such a phenomenal talent on a team wrapped in such bitter affairs only seems to make it that much more tragic.

The award is little more than a formality, and has been since Portland Trailblazers' rookie Greg Oden went down with knee surgery before the start of the season. And while there have been other rookies that made an impact for their team, Rockets' forward Luis Scola being one, Durant was simply too much of an offensive focal point to be denied.

Durant will accept the award later today at a team function in downtown Seattle. Where I come from, we call that "rubbing it in."

Each week I'll look at the players who would have the best shot at the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. Why? Because I was told to keep an eye on the kids...

1. Brandon Roy, G, Blazers: In five games post All-Star break, Roy has increased his scoring (averaging 16.4 ppg), doubled his assist output (from 3.4 to 6.8 apg) and hit the long-ball with consistency (60% from being the arc). He can do it all.

2. Andrea Bargnani, F-C, Raptors: Good news: Along with Roy, Bargnani picked up his second straight Rookie of the Month award on Thursday. The seven-footer averaged 14.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 28.7 minutes in helping Toronto post a 9-3 record (!) in February. Bad news: He'll miss the Raps' next two home games because of a family illness in Italy.

3. Adam Morrison, F, Bobcats: Another up-and-down week for Young Adam: He goes 7-for-12 against the 76ers, but follows it up with a 4-for-14 clunker against the Raps. He goes 6-for-12 against the Clippers, but follows it up with a 2-for-11 stinker against the Kings. He has his own bobblehead night in March ... they'll probably be recalled after they find razorblades in the dolls' mustaches or something.

4. Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies: Um, perhaps ranking Gay third was a little premature. The Memphis Flyer came crashing back to earth this past week, averaging just 11 points and four rebounds in three games. But that's OK; "The Urban Raccoons" still love him. (Fantasy team.)

5. LaMarcus Aldridge, F/C, Blazers: Ah, why not? It's not like Millsap or Jorge or Foye are gonna win this damn thing anyways. Over the last four games, Aldridge has averaged 16.5 points, 4.7 boards and 1.8 blocks in fairly limited minutes for the Blazers. Good enough for me ... for this week.

On the cusp: Randy Foye, Jorge Garbajosa and Paul Millsap.

Each week I'll look at the players who would have the best shot at the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. Why? Because I was told to keep an eye on the kids...

1. Brandon Roy, G, Blazers: Meh. All-Star games are bourgeois, too. Roy followed up an apathetic Rookie Challenge performance (six-points on 2-for-7 shooting) with two fantastic games this past week. On Tuesday he led the way with 27 points in a win over the Jazz, and on Wednesday he scored 16 points and dished seven assists in a win over the Lakers. In case you didn't notice, those are two of the best teams in the West. (Well, were ...)

2. Andrea Bargnani, F-C, Raptors: He's getting thirty minutes a game, still hitting the long ball (3-for-6 against the Cavs) and everyone wants to have a picture taken with him. Remind me why Bargnani's hanging with Darrick Martin in Las Vegas again?

3. Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies: Since winning back his starting spot, Gay is averaging 18.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 threes (!) per game. He was also one of the lone first-player stars in the Rookie Challenge, leading the way with 22 points.

4. Adam Morrison, F, Bobcats: Young Adam had his finest half as a pro on Wednesday, leading the Cats to a win over the Wolves with 26 points, four bombs and four boards in 29 minutes. Looks like leaving him off last week's list lit a torch under his 'Stache.

5. Randy Foye, G, Timberolves: I haven't seen much of Foye, so you'll have to excuse me, but is this kid really going to be one of the best players from this draft when it's all said and done? I realize his minutes were handcuffed by Coach Casey early on, but I don't know ... I just don't feel/see it with him. What am I missing? Please fill me in.

On the cusp: Jorge Garbajosa, Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Each week I'll look at the players who would have the best shot at the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. Why? Because I was told to keep an eye on the kids...

1. Brandon Roy, G, Blazers: You and I both know Roy's basically got this locked up. But if he can somehow manage to lead this year's Rookie team to what appears to be improbable win over the Sophomores . . . well, I might have to consider him for MVP.

2. Andrea Bargnani, F-C, Raptors: An awesome week for Il Mago, who scored 15+ points three times, including 22 in a big win against the Bulls. Bargnani's hit 14 three-pointers over his last four games. This kid can shoot.

3. Randy Foye, G, Timberolves: Foye made his second consecutive start on Wednesday against the Nuggets. While his stats were shaky at best (only 8 points on 3-of-9 shooting) he did make a key driving layup with 24 seconds left to help the Wolves hang on for the win.

4. Jorge Garbajosa, F, Raptors: Watching Garbajosa try and keep up in tonight's high-flying Rookie challenge should be fun. I can't wait to see his highlight reel pump-fakes!

5. Rudy Gay, F, Grizzlies: Does Tim Hardaway hate Rudy Gay? I'm just asking . . . in his fifth start on Wednesday, Gay continued to bring the noise posting 31 points, six rebounds and two blocks in 44 minutes. If Gay can keep steady minutes, he'll quickly start climbing these rankings.

On the cusp: Adam Morrison, Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Each week I'll look at the players who would have the best shot at the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. Why? Because I was told to keep an eye on the kids...

1. Brandon Roy, G, Blazers: Roy averaged 21.6 points and 6.3 assists in three games this week. So as a one-eye bandaged Nelly once sang, "Roy-is-number one / No matter if you like it / Here take this sit down / And read it." (Or, well, something like that.)

2. Andrea Bargnani, F-C, Raptors: Bargnani was the No. 1 pick in the draft because of his extraordinary perimeter game. No doubt. But recently, as in Sunday's game against the Clippers, he's started to show a bit of a post-up game, too. If he can add this to his repertoire... wow.

3. Adam Morrison, G-F, Bobcats: I don't know what's more disappointing at this point: the 'Stache's three-point shooting (1-9 on the week), his turnovers (12 in the past four games) or the movie Running With Scissors. It's a toss-up.

4. Jorge Garbajosa, F, Raptors: The Porn Player has humped jumped up this week's list for two reasons: 1) After struggling offensively in January, Jorge's finally managed to find his shot (63 FG% over his last two), and 2) the Raps have won four straight games.

5. Randy Foye, G, Timberwolves: Foye certainly has the potential to be a solid NBA player, but what I want to know is where he'll ultimately rank on the list of all-time "Randy" greats. As I see it, right now, he's miles behind Randy Macho Man Savage and just ahead of the kid on Home Improvement. "Dig it, Wilson!"

On the cusp: Rudy Gay, Paul Millsap and LaMarcus Aldridge.

Each week I'll look at the players who would have the best shot at the Rookie of the Year award if the season ended today. Why? Because I was told to keep an eye on the kids ...

1. Brandon Roy, G, Blazers: In five games this week Roy averaged 17.6 points and six assists per game, hit some game winning free throws in a win over the Wolves and hit a sick game-tying three to force overtime in a loss to the Nuggies. Um, why am I doing this again?

2. Andrea Bargnani, F-C, Raptors: The Italian Stallion started his virgin season slowly, but averaged a rock-solid 11.1 points and 3.6 rebounds in January, helping the Raps to a 10-5 mark. He was named Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month as a result.

3. Adam Morrison, G-F, Bobcats: It's nice to see someone's finally taking their consistency pills. The 'Stache raised his shooting percentage a couple points, averaging 14 points a game on the week. And take note: The 'Cats have won three of their last five. Growl!

4. Paul Millsap, F, Jazz: Watch out Andrea and Adam. Millsap has averaged 15.3 points on 57 percent shooting, 12.3 boards, 0.7 steals, and 2.0 blocks in 32 minutes of playing time over his past three games. With Boozer out for at least a month, it shouldn't take long for Millsap to climb these rankings.

5. Randy Foye, G, Timberwolves: The thing I like about Foye is that he makes a valiant effort to try and fill the box score. In two games this week, Foye posted a mini triple-double, including an 8 point, 6 assist, 5 board game to help stop the Suns' streak.

On the cusp: Jorge Garbajosa, Rudy Gay and Shelden Williams.