Johnson Is Rookie of Year in the NBA

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Larry Johnson’s selection as the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft last year was met with skepticism by fans of Billy Owens, Dikembe Mutombo and Kenny Anderson.

The choice was vindicated Tuesday when Johnson won the NBA rookie-of-the-year award in a landslide vote after he led the Charlotte Hornets to the best record in their history.

Johnson, who averaged 19.2 points and 11 rebounds, got 90 1/2 of a possible 96 votes in a poll of sportswriters and broadcasters to join such players as Michael Jordan, Patrick Ewing and Larry Bird, who have also received the award.

Denver’s Mutombo received 3 1/2 votes and Golden State’s Owens got two.

“I think I can be a much better player,” Johnson, a 6-foot-5 1/2, 250-pound power forward, said after receiving the award at a ceremony at the Charlotte Coliseum. “This is just the start of my career, not a wrap-up.

“I want to be one of the NBA’s premier players. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson made it possible for younger players like me to make big money playing this game. I want to make this league bigger and stronger.”