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A dream contestForgiveness it to be plead for for stating the obvious, but basketball is a massive sport and the NBA is the jewel in it’s crown. With millions of fans worldwide, the global phenomenon that is the NBA has thirty talent-laden teams that go toe-to-toe for the trophy and championship rings at the end of the season.As with every sports team, each has its mainstays. But the mythical superstars were at one point debutants, with no prescience of their legacies that would be carved in stone, just fire in their bellies and passion for the game.The annual influx of exciting new talent is one of the major things that adds to the allure of the biggest professional basketball league in the world. Every year, fans and players wait with baited breath as new additions are made to every franchise in the form of youngsters from colleges, schools and smaller professional leagues worldwide. It is a pleasure to watch these raw youngsters, brimming with talent, evolve into superstars and Hall Of Famers. But one statistical point of contention amongst all lovers of the game, irrespective of analysts, experts or the junta, is the number of championship rings that adorn their hands when they call it a day.That figure is not pitifully small, but there are some names that will be remembered over others. Here’s our list of the top 10 most famous NBA “Rookie of the Year” Award winners whose consistent excellence earned them and their teams Championships.
Also read: 5 Best NBA Rookies of all-time
#1 Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Entering the NBA as Lew Alcindor, Jabbar’s recruitment by the Milwaukee Bucks was decided by a coin-toss they won with the Phoenix Suns for the 1st overall pick of the 1969 NBA Draft. Jabbar announced his arrival on the big stage by claiming the 2nd spot in the league’s scoring leaders and 3rd in rebounders en route to the ROTY. He also declined the Nets’ offer of $3.25 million for the Bucks’ $1.4 million contract, saying he didn’t wish to tarnish the dignity of the game.
Six NBA titles, six NBA MVP awards, nineteen All-Star appearances and being considered the greatest of all time should be enough to claim the top spot on this list, but the clincher was his “Skyhook”, the rudimentary version of which I have a bias for.
Jabbar suffers from migraines, which he assuages with marijuana usage, drawing legal ramifications. Upon discovering that he had a form of leukemia in 2009, Jabbar started treatment that sent his cancer into remission in 2011.
#2 Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan was rejected from the first University team he tried out for because he was too short. It was all uphill from there, more or less. In the 1984 All-Star game, several seniors who were upset with the attention “MJ” was receiving, “froze him out” by not giving him possession of the ball. Jordan would return to the regular season unperturbed and win the ROTY award.
Jordan would return to the Bulls during the 1985-86 Finals following a broken foot that kept him out of action for 64 games and score 63 points in game 2. That record still stands unapproached, and he managed it against the Boston Celtics, whose erstwhile roster is considered one of the most fearsome in NBA history.
Jordan would retire from basketball in October 1993, after winning his first 3 NBA titles between 91-93. He would return and replicate his three-peat of NBA championships from 1995-98. His trademark ‘tongue stuck out’ while playing was adopted from his father, who used to do it while engrossed in work.
“His Airness”’s love for the game was so great that he had a clause named just that written into his NBA contracts, which allowed him to play basketball against anyone, anywhere at any time.
#3 Tim Duncan
“The Big Fundamental” is a living testament to the expression “Every cloud has a silver lining”. Originally aiming to be an Olympic swimmer, Duncan was forced to turn to basketball when Hurricane Hugo destroyed the lone Olympic-size swimming pool in his hometown.
Duncan would join veteran Center David Robinson in the Spurs to form the “Twin Towers”, one of the most formidable front-court duos in the NBA. The 6”11’ rookie would fulfil expectations as he started in all 82 regular season games, averaging 21.1 points, 11.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.5 blocks per game en-route to the ROTY Award.
In just his 2nd year with the team, Duncan would play an instrumental part in the Spurs winning their first championship. He would step into the shoes of leader of the Spurs and silence critics as he brought them their 2nd trophy in 2003.
Duncan is the only player in NBA history to be a part of the All-NBA and All-NBA Defensive teams in his first 13 seasons. He is the only player apart from the distinguished John Salley, to win NBA Championships in 3 different decades.
#4 Shaquille O\'Neal
Probably the most famous policeman in the world, Shaq was became the first player to be named “Player of the Week” in his maiden week in the NBA. He would go on to be the first rookie to be named an All-Star since Michael Jordan.
Former Bulls coach Phil Jackson would become a perfect fit for the Lakers and his famed triangle offense would be executed to perfection by Bryant and Shaq, who would lead the team to 3 championhips.
Shaq would go to Miami in 2004, where he promised fans of a championship. He would team with Dwyane Wade and come good on his word in 2006, coming back from losses in the first 2 Finals games against the Mavericks to bring Miami their first championship.
In 2001, Shaq was challenged to a wrestling match by future NBA player Glen “Big Baby” Davis, then a 15-year-old high schooler. He picked up the 160 Kg O’Neal and slammed him to the ground. In 2012, Shaq received a doctorate in Human Resource Development, with his doctoral thesis being on “The Duality of Aggression and Humour in Leadership Styles.”
#5 Larry Bird
Originating in a broken home, Bird turned to basketball as a distraction. When he signed with the Celtics in the 1978 Draft, his $3.25 million contract would be the highest for a rookie at the time. His addition would be an immediate catalyst to the team, whose win record would improve by 32 games and take them to the top of the Eastern Conference.
In 1980, Boston would receive Kevin McHale and Robert Parish to form a Hall of Fame trio, who would lead them to the first of their 3 championships. In 1985, the Celtics took a risk in inducting Bill Walton, who had a history of injuries, but it would pay off in the form of a trophy. The ‘86 Celtics are considered by many to be the best team in NBA history.
The NBA instituted a regulation known as the Bird Collegiate Rule, to prevent NBA teams from drafting players out of college before they felt they were ready. In 2005, an Oklahoman, Eric James Torpy requested that his sentence for robbery and shooting with intent to kill be changed from 30 years to 33, to match Bird’s jersey number. Twitter’s bird logo is called “Larry” in Bird’s honour.
#6 LeBron James
This man needs no edifying. From being hailed as the next Michael Jordan in 2003, “King James” has set the NBA ablaze for the past dozen years. He became the first Cavalier to become ROTY.
His private Catholic school made him cover his tattoos with white tape when he played for them. LeBron, aged 20, became the youngest player to record a triple-double and be named to an All-NBA Team.
But the burning question on everybody’s lips is why such a tremendous player doesn’t have more championships to his name. He’s returned to his home on a mission, and time will tell if it will be accomplished.
#7 Wilt Chamberlain
One of the most dominant forces in basketball nearly succumbed to pneumonia as a child. Chamberlain initially thought of basketball, in his own words, as “a game for sissies”. He was a track and field star, racking up impressive stats in his school years in high jump, shot put and broad jump.
He earned his favorite nickname, “Big Dipper” in high school, as a result of him having to stoop at doorways. Chamberlain became the NBA's highest earner when he debuted for the Philadelphia Warriors in 1959 and broke 8 records en route to the NBA MVP and ROTY awards.
Despite having just 2 championships to his name, Wilt’s still unbroken records and legacy afford him the highest position in the NBA’s pantheon of heroes, and his claim of having been with 20,000 women, though one of the more sordid aspects, add to his legend.
Chamberlain died of congestive heart failure in 1999; he had had a history of heart problems. His is a name that will be remembered as long as the game of basketball exists.
#8 David Robinson
The only player from the Navy to have played in the NBA was aptly nicknamed “The Admiral”. Ironically, Robinson, at 6”8’, was 2 inches above the height limit for the Navy, but was admitted as a special case.
Robinson joined the Spurs when they had the worst regular season record in franchise history at the time of 21-61. What came next was nothing short of a miracle. As a rookie, he lead the Spurs to the 2nd round of the Western Conference Playoffs, with their record reading 56-26. The performance earned him the ROTY award.
His quest for a championship would end with the inclusion of rookie Tim Duncan in the Spurs, with whom he would form the “Twin Towers” and win the 1998-99 season. In a fitting farewell, the Spurs won the 2003 championship as well, after which Robinson retired.
#9 Pau Gasol
“Pow” is one of only 2 non-American players to have won the ROTY award. In 2006, he became the first Spanish player and the first Grizzly to be part of an All-Star team. Gasol is also a two-time Olympic silver medallist with the Spanish national team.
Gasol currently holds the Grizzlies franchise records for field goals made and attempted, free throws made and attempted, offensive, defensive, and total rebounds, blocked shots, turnovers, and points
When NBA legend Magic Johnson announced that he was HIV-positive, Gasol decided that he wanted to be a doctor and find a cure for AIDS.
#10 Jason Kidd
Strictly speaking numbers, Mike Miller should’ve been in this spot, but Kidd’s inclusion shouldn’t ruffle too many feathers. The former Naismith high school player of the year awardee won the ROTY award in 1995, sharing with the Pistons’ Grant Hill.
Kidd was highly lauded for his transformative leadership of the New Jersey Nets in 2002 and 2003, leading them to the NBA Finals in both years. In 2011, Kidd would join Dirk Nowitzki in the Dallas Mavericks and earn his and the franchise’s first championship.
