Point Guard Receives Largest Percent of Votes Since David Robinson (1989-90)May 10, 2006Video - Rookie of the Year Press Conference
Oklahoma City - The NBA announced today that New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets point guard Chris Paul was awarded the Eddie Gottlieb Trophy as the 2005-06 NBA T-Mobile Rookie of the Year.
"I am honored to accept the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year award on behalf of my teammates, the Hornets organization, my family and the great fans in New Orleans and Oklahoma City," said Paul. "My rookie season was truly a fantastic experience from start to finish, and my teammates and I look forward to building on the success we enjoyed this year."
Paul received 124 out of a possible 125 first-place votes (623 points) from a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada, the largest percent of votes since David Robinson received 100 percent of first-place votes in 1989-90. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote received. Toronto's Charlie Villanueva finished second with 248 points and Milwaukee's Andrew Bogut finished third with 98 points. Utah's Deron Williams collected the other first place vote and finished in fifth place with 31 points.
Paul will become the first player to accept the award in two different cities, with press conferences scheduled in both New Orleans and Oklahoma City. In addition, Paul will donate 30 computers on behalf of the Cheyenne (OK) School District to the Audubon Montessori School while in New Orleans.
Paul won the Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award for each month of the 2005-06 season. In doing so, he became just the fifth rookie (Carmelo Anthony and LeBron James-2002-03, Tim Duncan-1997-98, David Robinson-1989-90) in NBA history to capture the award in every month of his rookie season.
Paul finished the 05-06 season ranked first in total steals (175), third in steals per game (2.24) and seventh in assists per game (7.8) in the NBA. Paul became just the second rookie in NBA history (Brevin Knight-1997-98) to lead the NBA in total steals. He led all rookies in scoring, assists, minutes, double-doubles, triple-doubles and steals for the season.
In addition, Paul recorded two triple-doubles, 23 double-doubles, scored in double figures in 65 games and had 20+ points in 23 games in 78 games (all starts).
Paul set seven Hornet rookie records during the season including most assists in a season and game, highest free throw percentage for a season, most free throws made and attempted in a game and most steals in a season and game.
The Eddie Gottlieb Trophy is named in honor of Eddie Gottlieb, one of the NBA's founders who coached the Philadelphia Warriors to the NBA championship in 1946-47.
Chris Paul winning the T-Mobile Rookie of the Year award is the culmination of one of the most spectacular first seasons not just in Hornets history, but in NBA history.
Chris Pauls Rookie Achievements
- Led the team to a 20-game improvement over last years win total
- Led all rookies in points, assists, steals, minutes, double-doubles and triple-doubles
- Was third in the NBA in steals per game, seventh in assists per game and first in total steals (joined Brevin Knight as just the second rookie in NBA history to lead the league in total steals)
- Swept the T-Mobile Western Conference Rookie of the Month honors, joining Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Tim Duncan and David Robinson as the only players in NBA history to do so
- Unanimous T-Mobile All-Rookie First Team Selection
- Was named NBA Western Conference Player of the Week for 1/30-2/5
- Set seven Hornets rookie records (most assists in a single game, most assists in a season, highest free throw percentage, most free throws made and attempted in a single game, most steals in a single game and most steals in a season)
- Only rookie to record a triple-double in Hornets history (finished the season with two)
- Second Rookie of the Year in Hornets history (Larry Johnson, 1992)