NBA legends who didn’t get a single first-place vote for Rookie of the Year
Not every NBA superstar comes out firing right away (so fret not, Houston Rockets fans who own a whole lot of stock in Jabari Smith right now).
In fact, there are various players one could classify as legends who didn’t even get a single first-place vote for Rookie of the Year throughout league history, as you’re about to see for yourself.
Recent example? Giannis Antetokounmpo, who put up 6.8 points and 4.4 rebounds as a rookie.
Older examples? How about Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant?
Below, check out our full list of NBA legends who did not get one vote for Rookie of the Year after their inaugural campaigns.
2014: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Winner: Michael Carter-Williams (104 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Victor Oladipo (16)
2002: Tony Parker
Otto Greule/Getty Images
Winner: Pau Gasol (117 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Richard Jefferson (three)
1999: Dirk Nowitzki
PAUL BUCK/AFP via Getty Images
Winner: Vince Carter (113 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Jason Williams (three)
1998: Tracy McGrady
Winner: Tim Duncan (113 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Keith Van Horn (three)
1997: Kobe Bryant
HECTOR MATA/AFP via Getty Images
Winner: Allen Iverson (44 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Stephon Marbury (35)
1997: Steve Nash
CHRIS BERNACCHI/AFP via Getty Images
Winner: Allen Iverson (44 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Stephon Marbury (35)
1997: Ray Allen
Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Winner: Allen Iverson (44 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Stephon Marbury (35)
1991: Gary Payton
Sport/Getty Images
Winner: Derrick Coleman (69 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Lionel Simmons (22)
1988: Scottie Pippen
Winner: Mark Jackson (77 first-place votes)
Runner-ups: Greg Anderson, Winston Garland and Kenny Smith (One)
1988: Reggie Miller
Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
Winner: Mark Jackson (77 first-place votes)
Runner-ups: Greg Anderson, Winston Garland and Kenny Smith (One)
1987: Dennis Rodman
Mitchell Layton/Getty Images
Winner: Chuck Person (68 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Ron Harper (10)
1985: Charles Barkley
Focus on Sport via Getty Images
Winner: Michael Jordan (57.5 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Hakeem Olajuwon (20.5)
1985: John Stockton
Bill Baptist/NBAE via Getty Images
Winner: Michael Jordan (57.5 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Hakeem Olajuwon (20.5)
1984: Clyde Drexler
Mike Powell/Getty Images
Winner: Ralph Sampson (76 first-place votes)
1983: Dominique Wilkins
Scott Cunningham/NBAE via Getty Images
Winner: Terry Cummings (60 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Clark Kellogg (11)
1982: Isiah Thomas
Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images
Winner: Buck Williams (33 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Kelly Tripucka (22)
1977: Alex English
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Winner: Adrian Dantley (44 first-place votes)
Runner-up: John Lucas (eight)
1977: Robert Parish
Focus on Sport/Getty Images
Winner: Adrian Dantley (44 first-place votes)
Runner-up: John Lucas (eight)
1975: Bill Walton
Vernon Biever/NBAE via Getty Images
Winner: Jamal Wilkes (7.6 votes)
Runner-up: John Drew (5.1)
1972: Bob Lanier
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Winner: Artis Gilmore (30 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Dan Issel (seven)
1968: Walt Frazier
Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports
Winner: Artis Gilmore (30 first-place votes)
Runner-up: Dan Issel (seven)
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