Too bad Greg missed that Dunk however.

You can make a strong case for Rudy, Greg or Nic.

Greg has the best PER by quite a bit. Nic has started 75 games. Rudy has played the most minutes. By Hollinger’s “estimated wins added,” Greg edges Rudy by a hair.

Because we are so strong at SG and C, you could argue Nic’s the one of these 3 that we can least afford to lose.

In the end, I voted for Greg in a very tough choice. All 3 have been major contributors.

Our 4th rookie has been a major disappointment, sadly.

It’s a Frenchy thang, maybey

Consistency. I’m not talking about 3 point FG%, I’m talking about maintaining the hustle, holding up against the grind of the season. And of course, finding time to put up clutch play after clutch play.

Oden’s been a solid contributor, Nic’s been somewhat of a revelation at SF, but Rudy’s impacted the bottom line in ways none of the other guys have.

Wonder why? I voted BIG O!(cue music from anime series of the same name)

that the blazer’s recent tear has coincided with the return of Oden from his most recent injury. i voted GO because i think, despite his falling short of huge expectations, greg oden provides a huge impact in each and every game he plays in.

Rebounding monster or high energy highlight reel… I can’t choose.

choosing between Rudy and Nic mostly, but Greg is a game changer, and I have been pleased at how big of a deal it is to have two major centers to play. I voted for Batum mostly because he was such a surprise and so young, but I almost didn’t vote because I wanted to be able to vote for rudy also. Overall our rooks are amazing and we are very lucky to have them, it makes the future even more exciting, I can’t wait to see all these guys get better!

All three are are a major part of our team though. There’s no bad player in that group. I have to give the edge to NIc though, because he has consistently taken the opposing team’s best player on defense, and done a good job on everyone, with the lone exception possibly being Lebron Freaking James. And there isn’t anyone who can guard him one on one. But that Portland was enough confidence to try with Batum took guts, and says a lot about our guy. Sure, he doesn’t show up in the boxscore, but we don’t need him to. Everyone knows what he can do, and we don’t need a stat line to tell us that.

………………………… and I polled on who would be the top rookie out of: Oden, Rudy, or Rex.

I didn’t even include Batum in the survey and I just voted for him now at the end of the year.

Lock down defender. Starter. NBA ready. Wow. To think this is a guy that we were just CERTAIN was gonna get stashed in Europe for a couple years…

because he has amazing hustle and seems to be on of the hardest workers on the team. All I can say is, I can’t wait to see what Nic can do, because I’m sure what he’s doing now is only a small taste of his awesomeness.

He got my vote for he tenacity and nose for the ball.

The few games he missed our bench suffered. Outlaw + Roy/LMA cannot carry the bench scoring itself with Sergio/Center in there. Rudy brings us that 3rd weapons + insane amounts of hustle + some awesome playmaking ability.

If we trade Trout, don’t be shocked if Batum becomes sophomore of the year, although Oden is probably going to come out strong.

Although it was a difficult choice given what Oden and Batum have done this year. I am repeating some points above, but both Oden and Batum do much more than the boxscore shows. I love Oden’s strength and the way he locks down the paint. I love that he has improved his shooting and is showing improvement on defense (still a ways to go obviously). I love that he has started to come out of his shell and return to his “old self” personality wise. As for Batman, we could not have imagined what he has done this year. He is amazing on defense and has guarded all of the stars in the league, shutting down the offense we we need it the most. He has hit some key shots on offense, and who can forget his posterizing Gasol? Once he gets a little more effective on offense, this kid is going to be the next Tayshaun. I <3 his energy and his hustle down the court to get a blocked shot. Rudy though has been the most consistant, minus a couple of no-show games. He has been that spark off the bench when we needed it, and has obviously hit some big shots when we have needed them. His defense has improved over the season, and the energy he brings to the court is amazing. We need a big play? Here is Rudy grabbing a steal. We need a shot to seal the deal? Here is Rudy with a three or an alley-oop. We need some hustle on defense? Here is Rudy flying over people to grab a rebound, or falling to the floor to grab a loose ball. He is a great teammate and can play with Brandon running the offense. Although I think that Batman and Oden are going to get amazingly better over the years, I think Rudy will be that 6th man we need for years to come. Plus, he’s a cutie :)

but Nic and his intangibles that don’t shine outward from a box score are VERY close. Long term, Nic will probably be the more complete player.

The catalyst ( 2 : an agent that provokes or speeds significant change or action )
that plays unselfishly.

I fully understand the logic in voting for Rudy or Nic, and as I mentioned I think its very close… but I am quite surprised Oden is so far behind.

Maybe expectations are coming into play in people’s votes? I tried to take expectations out of the equation in casting my vote.

I know, his numbers are not impressive. Yes, he has trouble staying on the floor. Yes, his game needs tons of work. But Greg has given this team a whole new look. We are so much bigger than most teams, with two legit centers in the rotation, that teams get overwhelmed. When Greg is on the floor the opposition has trouble operating in the paint. His picks and soul crushing. His thunderous dunks awe the opposing team. He draws almost as many fouls as he gives, and he is getting better about making smarter fouls. Rudy may have had a better year I guess numbers wise, but I think Greg has had more impact to the team.

“Welcome to Boise, Mr. Batum. We hope you like the d-league.” Uhm, not so much. Nic, Greg and Rudy have contributed about equally to the success of the team this year, completing and truly upgrading the rotation on their position. Gregzilla the two-headed rebounding monster patrolling the paint. Rudy being more than just a solid backup for B-Roy and creating good synergy on the second unit – and high energy in the arena whenever he steps on the floor. And Nic even taking the starting position and while still playing fewer minutes than Travis becoming the go-to defender Nate can put on anyone from Tony Parker to Kobe to Ron Artest.

If you define rookie as “newcomer”, Nic might also be the natural vote. We had about one year to dream about what Greg and Rudy could do when one was sidelined by injury and the other still at home playing in Spain. But Nic took about everybody by surprise.

He gets my vote by a hair, more in the sense of having outperformed than being the clear “most valuable”.

I’m against “Most Improved Player” votes for sophomores since that should be their natural development, but I truly expect Greg and Jerryd to be good in this category next season.

I freaked when Marty went down. That first pre-season game was a thing of beauty. Nic has played beyond expectation in Webster’s absence.

Rudy and Greg are phenomenal too.

It’s almost not fair.

Part of my consideration is the production BRoy has had this year. How much less would Roy have left in the tank if he had to guard Kobe/Wade/LBJ for 20+ MORE minutes a game that Batum eats up.

While Batum’s offense hasn’t been overwhelming, his contributions on defense are huge. How many times have we seen him wipe away a sure thing breakaway layup/dunk, 2 points saved is 2 points earned, PLUS that is such a huge momentum killer. If it’s on the road it kills the crowd, if it’s at home the RG goes absolutely bonkers… which brings just as much energy as Rudy.

And while Greg does great in PER, and in the long term I think Oden will be the best of the 3 contenders, I think Batum has contributed more to winning this year both directly and indirectly by saving Roy’s legs on defense.

Rudy and Oden had good years, but both were expected to bring something to the table this year.

Nic on the other hand… nothing was expected of him. He fit in seemlessly with the starting unit, had big games and hit big shots on occassion, hustled always, and played team ball.

That’s my rook.

:-(

your name is garden of ODEN and you put greg FIRST in the poll—an OBVIOUS bias.

I declare the results of this poll null and void. ;-)

He looked like a dork in summer league and once the real season started he was straight ballin’.

can we get a ‘most swag per possession award?’ oh, batum wins that too.

because i like scoring points.

also very glad we won’t have four next year. – Elgin

as I think he has been the most valuable of the three. While I think Nic is the most improved, a lot of us got blindsided with his improvement. But he doesnt play in the clutch and rudy does. All the time. I have to go with Rudy

I dont think Greg is in the running. Just wait until next year

But I chose Nic just cause he is a great defender, and he filled in for Martell well

Every time I watch him play, I just have one thought running through my head: “Nic Batum is the future.”

What an amazing surprise this kid has been. From Eurostash to indisputable starter in one year, and at such a young age too. Merci beaucoup, Monsieur Batum!