bskball: Joe Johnson leading ROY candidate

["Josh Ozersky" <jozersky1@nyc.rr.com>]

11/07- JOE JOHNSON LEADS THE CLASS - Early talk around the league is Joe
Johnson is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year despite not leading
any stat category, its way too early to be touting Joe as a lock, but opinion
makers around the league are watching Joe and his play with the Celtics. Other
possibles include Jamal Tinsley, who's garnered the favor of Isiah Thomas in
Indiana. Tony Parker has landed the starters spot in San Antonio and being
touted as the possible second weapon to Tim Duncan when David Robinson
retires. Off to a mediocre starts are early favorites Jason Richardson and
Rodney White, with JRich being 9th in the class in scoring, and highly touted
White, is 19th (he hasn't gotten many minutes). The surprise for some is
Richard Jefferson, 2nd in the class in scoring. Craig "Speedy" Claxton is
leading the class in scoring, with 18.5 points per game. Utah's Andrei
Kirilenko, Golden State's Troy Murphy, and Detroit's Zeljko Rebraca are all
tied for the led in rebounding with 5.8 boards per game.