James Beats Out Anthony for Rookie of the Year

LeBron James won the NBA rookie of the year award Tuesday, capping a remarkable season in which he revived the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 19-year-old guard more than lived up to unprecedented hype in jumping straight from high school to the pros, becoming the youngest player to receive the award.

James, last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick, beat out Denver’s Carmelo Anthony, a close friend. Anthony, also 19, played one season of college basketball, leading Syracuse to the 2003 NCAA championship.

At a news conference at Gund Arena in Cleveland, James thanked Anthony.

“I really felt like it was going to be a close race,” James said. “He had a phenomenal season also.”

James received 508 points, including 78 of a possible 118 first-place votes, to become the first Cleveland rookie honored.

Anthony finished with 430 points -- and the other 40 first-place votes -- in balloting by sportswriters and broadcasters. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat was third with 117 points.

Players received five points for a first-place vote, three for second and one for third. Chicago’s Kirk Hinrich, Toronto’s Chris Bosh and Dallas’ Marquis Daniels also received votes.

James averaged 20.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.9 assists, joining Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan as the only NBA rookies to average at least 20-5-5.

Anthony had similar numbers (21 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.8 assists) and led the Nuggets to the playoffs a year after they finished 17-65.

The Cavaliers had the same record last season. With James, they were 35-47 and finished ninth in the Eastern Conference.

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Injured forward Jamal Mashburn was sent home from Miami by the New Orleans Hornets because he complained publicly that the team mishandled his medical care.

“He won’t be with the team the rest of the season,” General Manager Bob Bass said.

Mashburn, left off the playoff roster and ineligible for postseason play, appeared in only 19 games this season because of a right knee injury.

In an interview published Tuesday in the Miami Herald, Mashburn complained about his medical treatment.

“This organization and the way things were done, I’ve been misdiagnosed a couple of times, and it has gotten to the point where I have to take care of myself,” he said. “It kind of shows you what pro sports is all about. Sometimes it’s not the athlete’s best interest that’s in mind. They just want you out there on the court.”

The Hornets are in Miami for a first-round playoff series.

When asked to comment on Mashburn’s future with the Hornets, Bass said, “No way. No other statements.”