SN Archive (1995): The closest Rookie of the Year vote in NBA history wasn't just Grant Hill vs. Jason Kidd

Cooper Flagg and Kon Knueppel delivered historic seasons as part of a loaded rookie class that resulted in arguably the best Rookie of the Year race since Grant Hill and Jason Kidd were named co-winners in 1995. This article, 'Teams with top 3 picks from '94 have no regrets', originally appeared in the April 17, 1995 issue of The Sporting News.

Let's hold the NBA draft all over again. Better yet, just the top three picks.

Last year, the Bucks chose Glenn Robinson first, the Mavericks took Jason Kidd and the Pistons grabbed Grant Hill. How would it look now, 10 months later and their rookie seasons drawing to a close?

Mavericks Coach Dick Motta says he believes the Bucks would take Robinson, the Mavericks would select Kidd and the Pistons would snatch Hill. Nothing would change because each player offers exactly what his team needs.

SN ARCHIVES: Access every SN issue since 1886, for free

The Bucks wanted a scorer, which they have in Robinson, who routinely puts up 21 points a night.

The Pistons needed versatility, and Hill is a complete package who fills up a box score.

The Mavericks were set at small forward and big guard with Jamal Mashburn and Jimmy Jackson; they needed someone to deliver the ball. They drafted a clever, disciplined point guard with the inappropriate surname, Kidd.

It's no surprise, then, all three picks are in a tight chase for rookie of the year, the most-crowded race for the award in years.

Hill has been the most consistent player since opening night and he's the marquee name. Robinson leads all rookies in scoring, and the Mavericks will improve by more than 20 victories with Kidd.

Each makes a solid case for himself.

SN

IN THIS ISSUE: APRIL 17, 1995

• Sergei Fedorov and Pavel Bure: new faces of the NHL
• From Fedorov to Olajuwon: Did world catch up with the United States?
• Mike Lupica on the state of MLB post-strike
• The confounding Karl Malone disrespect continues in MVP race

The case for Glenn Robinson

The Big Dog barked before he had a chance to bite.

He asked for $100 million from the Bucks and held out of training camp. Then he spent most of the season trying to overcome his self-inflicted image problem. He compounded the issue by blaming his problems on the media, which embraced Hill, who was more camera-friendly and cover-boy ready.

When you look in his eyes when you interview or talk to him, I see the same thing in him that I saw in Magic Johnson.

- Bucks coach Mike Dunleavy

Truthfully, Robinson shares many of the same qualities as Hill. Bucks Coach Mike Dunleavy raves about Robinson's preparation and basketball IQ. He comes to play, works hard and plays within the team concept. Robinson was out of shape, turnover-prone and took too many bad shots in November and December. By January, he was shooting 50 percent and taking over games in the fourth quarter.

"When you look in his eyes when you interview or talk to him, I see the same thing in him that I saw in Magic Johnson," Dunleavy says. "He loves to play, and I think that shows very clearly."

The case for Grant Hill

He never smacked into the proverbial rookie wall.

Unlike Robinson, Hill was in camp on time, in shape by November, and he produced right from opening night. Since then, for some reason, no defender has figured out his quick first step and crossover dribble.

Hill's jump shot remains iffy but has improved. He contributes even when his shot doesn't fall. He leads the Pistons in steals, is second in assists despite playing forward and rates third in rebounds.

The real value placed on Hill is his role as league goodwill spokesman and ambassador. The league desperately needed a rookie who carries himself with the poise of a veteran.

SN 140: Ranking the greatest college basketball players of all-time

The case for Jason Kidd

He won't win the award based on numbers. Kidd doesn't average more than a dozen points a game, he's barely among the top-10 point guards in assists and he's shooting a ghastly 39 percent.

In terms of overall impact, however, neither Robinson nor Hill compare.

Kidd plays at his best in the fourth quarter. Motta marvels at Kidd's mature decision making and his energy level through 48 minutes. He fights power forwards and centers for rebounds and keeps the Mavericks running the break as much as possible.

When Jackson, the Mavericks' leading scorer, sprained his ankle February 24 and sat for six weeks, Kidd posted a pair of triple-doubles and Dallas won 11 times during a recent 14-game stretch.

SN 140: Explore SN's 140 most iconic covers

1995 NBA Rookie of the Year voting

Editor's note: This article was published prior to Rookie of the Year voting. Here are the final 1994-95 Rookie of the Year voting totals.

In all, there have been four ties — 1952 (Mel Hutchins, Bill Tosheff), 1971 (Geoff Petrie, Dave Cowens), 1995 (Jason Kidd, Grant Hill) and 2000 (Elton Brand, Steve Francis).