Like we always do at this time…
Welcome to our annual NBA Award Tour, which seeks to recognize the best of players in the NBA. Based on the aforementioned criteria, this post will most likely annoy NBA fans in cities that start with “M” (Minnesota, Memphis, Milwaukee). If this includes you, please skip to the next post. Otherwise, pop open the envelopes to see my award picks for the 2008-09 regular season.
Most Improved Player
>>David Lee (Knicks):
Here’s an award that doesn’t make any sense to me. Young players are supposed to improve as they acquire more experience in the league. That’s what you have off-season sessions for. That said, Lee earned my respect because he stepped up in almost every major category, while only logging 7 more minutes than his career average. Along with the Most Improved Player award, I would also hand him the Most Underrated Power Forward trophy.
Runner-Up: Devin Harris (Nets)
(Fake) Sixth Man of the Year
>>Jason Terry (Mavericks)
This is a stupid award, because the players who normally win are starters posing as bench players. They log more minutes than actual starters and finish the game in most cases. However, if David Stern held me at gunpoint and forced me to pick one fake sixth man, I’d reluctantly cast my vote for Jason Terry. He shoots the ball with such unbridled confidence. More importantly, he came through in key moments for Dallas, who had a Terry-ffic run at the end of the season against solid teams.
Runner-Up: J.R. Smith
Rookie of the Year
>>Derrick Rose (Bulls)
If you join the NBA as a rookie and excel above your peers, you’re a very special player. If you start your NBA career as a rookie Point Guard (most crucial position in basketball) playing under a rookie coach named Del Negro (who’s not black, by the way), and then go on to transform your club from lottery to playoff team, you are without a shred of doubt my NBA Rookie of the Year.
Runner-Up: Brook Lopez
Defensive Player of the Year
>>Dwight Howard (Magic)
How many times have you seen an offensive player dribble all the way into the Magic’s paint only to look up and see Dwight Howard’s 6-11, 270 lbs, 500 blocks/game figure and then change their mind? Yao Ming may be the best offensive Center in the NBA, but Howard is the best defensive Center in the league.
Runner-Up: Shane Battier (Rockets)
Trade of the Year
>>Mo Williams (Bucks – Cavaliers)
Say whatever you want about LeBron’s greatness — and his greatness is unquestionable — but the reality is that Cleveland wouldn’t be the No.1 team in the NBA without a player of Mo Williams’ caliber in their lineup. Every triumphant Batman has a reliable Robin. Jordan had Pippen. Duncan has Parker. Shaq had Kobe. (OK, that last one was a bad example but you get my drift.)
Runner-Up: Chauncey Billups (Pistons – Nuggets)
FAIL Trade of the Year
>>Baron Davis (Warriors – Clippers)
The Allen Iverson trade was a FAIL trade because it broke the Pistons. Besides, A.I.’s exit means that Detroit will have $22 million to play around with next season. That was the plan all along. On the flip side, the Baron Davis trade was an EPIC FAIL trade because it destroyed both the Warriors and the Clippers at the same time.
Runner-Up: Allen Iverson (Nuggets – Pistons)
Coach of the Year
>>Nate McMillan (Trail Blazers)
Nate McMillan has had a tremendous year. He doesn’t have the luxury of veteran superstars, but he’s managed to squeeze out every drop of talent in his young and athletic Trail Blazers. They went from being the Jail Blazers to making the playoffs for the first time since 2002-03, with homecourt advantage.
Runner-Up: Stan Van Gundy (Magic)
Most Valuable Player
>>LeBron James (Cavaliers)
I think David Stern should surprise everyone and award co-MVPs to LeBron and Wade. It’s only fair. They both played a level above everyone else this season. Wade emerged as scoring champ (30 Pts., 5 Rebs, 7 Asts.), but he also made his teammates better. LeBron simply dominated in every aspect of the game (28 Pts., 7 Rebs., 7 Asts.) However, if I had to pick one MVP, I’ll go with James. Sure, Wade transformed Miami from a 19-win team to a playoff team, while playing alongside two rookies. James, on the other hand, is the difference between a lottery team and a championship contender. That’s a monumental difference.
Runner-Up: Dwyane Wade (Heat)
Bonus: Rizoh’s Playoff Bracket
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