|
|
|
Thursday, May 10, 2001
Scott says Martin had bigger impact
Associated Press
|
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – There were a lot things Byron Scott
found frustrating during his rookie season as coach of the New
Jersey Nets.
That continued Thursday as Orlando Magic guard Mike Miller
easily outdistanced Nets forward Kenyon Martin to win the NBA
Rookie of the Year.
"In my opinion Kenyon was the best rookie in the NBA this
year," Scott said Thursday in a conference call. "The Rookie of
the Year award is supposed to go to the best rookie. No rookie this
year had a bigger impact on their team than Kenyon did."
The panel of sports writers and broadcasters who voted for the
award did not agree with Scott.
Miller received 75 of a possible 124 votes. Martin got 36 and
Marc Jackson of Golden State had seven. Toronto's Morris Peterson
and the Los Angeles Clippers' Darius Miles had three votes apiece.
"I thought the vote total was ridiculous. (Martin) played much
better than that. To me, it should have been closer," Scott said.
Scott said that being on a playoff team helped Miller. He also
said Martin may have lost votes after missing the final weeks of
the season with a broken right leg.
The fifth overall pick in the 2000 draft, Miller averaged 11.9
points, four rebounds, 1.7 assists and 29.1 minutes. Among rookies,
he ranked in the top seven in six statistical categories, including
first in 3-point field goal percentage and third in scoring.
The top pick in the draft, Martin averaged 12 points and 7.4
rebounds in 68 games, all starts. He also had 113 blocks, 131
assists and 78 steals.
When he broke his leg against Boston in late March, Martin was
second in scoring and rebounds among rookies, and first in blocked
shots.
"Kenyon had a fantastic season. He showed us all the type of
player he will be," Scott said.
 Send this story to a friend | Most sent stories
|
|
ALSO SEE
Magic touch: Miller voted NBA Rookie of the Year
|
|
