This is a unique year for the NBA Rookie of the Year Race. For only the 3rd time in the modern era, there are two number 1 overall draft picks eligible for Rookie of the Year (ROY). How is this possible? Injury and Military Service.
David Robinson was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in 1987 out of Navy. However, he honored his military commitment and served the Navy for 2 years. The Navy excused him from three years of the normal five years of his military commitment following graduation from the Naval Academy. Nonetheless, Robinson continued to serve in a reserve role with the Navy and was regularly featured in recruiting materials for the service. His nickname? The Admiral. He joined the Spurs for the 1989-1990 season, joining that years number 1 pick, Pervis Ellison. Robinson ended up winning ROY for that season.
In 2007, the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Greg Oden from Ohio St. number 1 overall. However, he underwent microfracture knee surgery in September 2007, and missed the entire 2007-2008 season as a result. He recovered and made his NBA debut on opening night 2008, joining that years number 1 pick, Derrick Rose, as contenders for ROY honors. Rose ended up winning ROY as Oden struggled with more injuries that year.
Blake Griffin, from Oklahoma, was the number 1 pick in 2009 by the LA Clippers. Griffin played for the Clippers in their 2009 Summer League Team. However, the day before the 2009-2010 season started it was confirmed that Blake Griffin had a stress fracture in his left knee, delaying his NBA debut. In January 2010, after tests revealed that Griffin's knee was not recovering properly, it was reported that Griffin would require surgery to repair the fracture, and he did not play at all in the 2009-10 NBA season. On October 27, 2010, Blake Griffin scored 20 points and registered 14 rebounds in his debut for the Clippers. This years number 1 pick was John Wall. Assuming both stay healthy this year, it should be a great race for Rookie of the Year 2011.
