Stats showing Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James should have been joint winner of 2004 Rookie of the year
It has been 15 years since the winner of the 2004 NBA Rookie of the year was announced; LeBron James over Carmelo Anthony.
But fans and neutrals still question the decision as many argued the award should have been shared as it was done in 1995 and 2000 when it was difficult to separate between Grant Hill and Jason Kidd then Brand and Steve Francis respectively.
No doubt, LeBron James has played his way into Basketball Mount Rushmore and his in the conversation of one of top 10 greatest ever regardless of who is compiling the list.
He shouldn’t have won the 2004 Rookie of the year alone or never won it and here is why.
LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony won the Rookie of the month the whole campaign in their respective conferences in the East and West respectively.
Carmelo Anthony at the time was with Denver Nuggets while LeBron James was with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Carmelo Anthony with a 21.0 points per game average beats LeBron James’ 20.9 despite playing three less games.
Carmelo Anthony also with 6.1, averaged more rebounds than LeBron James who had 5.5.
Although, LeBron Jamed had the clear edge in assists, 5.9 to 2.8, but that was a natural part of his game as more of a point forward.
For shooting efficiency, Carmelo Anthony beat LeBron James hands down.
Carmelo Anthony shot 42.6% from the floor. LeBron James shot 41.7%.
Carmelo Anthony shot 32.2% from beyond the arc. Lebron James shot 29.0%.
Carmelo Anthony shot 77.7% from the free-throw line. Lebron James shot 75.4%.
Carmelo Anthony finished the season with an offensive rating of 102 and a defensive rating of 105.
LeBron James had an offensive rating of 99 and a defensive rating of 104.
Carmelo’s win share was 6.1. LeBron’s was 5.1. And, again, Carmelo’s team made the playoffs. LeBron’s did not.
But LeBron still managed to win the Rookie of the Year, earning 78 of the 118 first-place votes and 508 points overall.
Carmelo took the other 40 first-place votes and finished with 430 overall points.
Although, he is LeBron James the ‘chosen one’, he should have shared the 2004 Rookie of the year award with Carmelo Anthony or finished second as he was not better than him.
