Nba The debate begins. Blake Griffin played in summer league and most of the exhibition schedule before being injured prior to the 2009-10 opener, and so one head coach flatly said he does not consider the Clippers All-Star power forward a first-year player and would not vote for him for Rookie of the Year. Another head coach, though saying Blake Superior tops his imaginary ballot, noted that, "I wouldn't be shocked to see him lose votes over that." Griffin will win ROY in a landslide when the media votes late in the regular season, and that's what matters, but it is possible he won't be a unanimous choice despite turning the race into a runaway by Christmas. If he isn't unanimous, it becomes a topic of discussion.
• One writer/potential voter, told of the comment that Griffin should not be a candidate for Rookie of the Year: "That's proof they need to extend drug testing to head coaches." The slightly expanded retort is that 13 media members, the people who will decide the postseason awards, were informally polled in recent days. Broadcasters and writers, based in the Eastern Conference and Western Conference, covering a single team on a daily basis or the league as a whole as a national writer. All 13 said Griffin should be considered a rookie and will get their vote.
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