Stats: 18.6 ppg, 5.6 apg, 3.9 rpg, 1.0 spg, 46.5 FG%
They might as well have given this award to Irving back in January because the competition hasn't even been close. His efficiency from the field is part of what sets Irving apart from his fellow rookies as he shoots 46.5% from the field and an outstanding 40.1% from three point range. His stats make him deserving enough, but what's even more impressive is the fact that he is already "the guy" on his team. No other rookie this year has had to put a team on his shoulders like Irving has, especially after the Cavs lost Anderson Varejao back in February. Although his play hasn't resulted in a winning record he provides hope for a team that watched their hope leave for Miami less than two years ago.
2nd place: Kenneth Faried
3rd place: Klay Thompson
Most Improved Player: Andrew Bynum
Stats: 18.9 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 1.9 bpg, 56.2 FG%
Let me start off by saying that I'm not a big fan of Andrew Bynum, due to what I perceive as a major attitude problem. I spent a long time looking for someone else I could give this award to. Unfortunately for me I was unable to find someone more deserving than Bynum. One of his biggest improvements has simply been the fact that he finally stayed healthy for an entire season. But if you actually watch him play you can see that his statistical improvements are the result of much more than simply getting to play more. He has exhibited more skill in the low post as well as a greater defensive prowess, especially on the pick and roll. This improvement has resulted in an increase in rebounds per game and points per game of 2.5 and 7.6 respectively. By transforming himself from a perennially injured non-factor to the second option in the Lakers offense Bynum has earned himself this award.
2nd place: James Harden
3rd place: Greg Monroe
Coach of the Year: Frank Vogel
This was definitely the toughest award to give out simply because there are so many deserving coaches. Gregg Popovich has handled the Spurs lineup masterfully, dealing with the age of Tim Duncan and the injuries to Manu Ginobili. Tom Thibodeau has the Bulls as the number one seed in the East despite missing the defending MVP Derrick Rose for a large portion of the season. However, I have been extremely impressed with the job Vogel has done with the Indiana Pacers, leading them to the fifth best record in the league and the third seed in the Eastern Conference. The most impressive aspect of what Vogel has done is how he has this team playing together as a unit since the team is devoid of a star. The Pacers are the only team in the league that has all five of its starters averaging double-digit points. They also play well as one cohesive unit on defense, resulting in the 9th best scoring defense in the league. In a league where star players are given all the credit and coaches receive all the blame, Vogel has made the case that a star player isn't necessary to win.
2nd place: Gregg Popovich
3rd place: Tom Thibodeau
Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden
Stats: 16.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.7 apg, 48.9 FG% 84.4 FT%
Fear the Beard!!! James Harden is one of the most improved players in the league this year. His scoring has increased 4.7 ppg largely as a result of his increased efficiency from the floor (43.6% last year to 48.9% this year). He has also improved greatly as a play maker, almost doubling his assists per game from 2.1 to 3.7. This improvement has resulted in him being the runaway winner of this award. Harden is the leading scorer among bench players in the NBA and could easily start on at least 25 teams, including his own. However, he not only accepts his role off the bench, but actually embraces it since it is in the best interest of his team. He provides the Oklahoma City Thunder with a scoring punch off the bench and has been a crucial part of the team's success this season.
2nd place: Thaddeus Young
3rd place: Jason Terry
Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka
This was another tough decision for me. On paper this decision probably makes me look extremely foolish, but hear me out. Yes I acknowledge that Dwight Howard is probably the most dominant defensive force in the league right now and I also concede that he probably will win this award in real life. I have just one problem with that though. If you have watched the Orlando Magic play this year you will notice that in many close games Howard is not on the floor. One must wonder why the best player on the team isn't playing with the game on the line. Unfortunately he is shooting a career low 49.1% from the free throw line which makes him a liability in crunch time. I cannot in good conscience give this award to a player whose defensive skill is often useless when it matters the most. So now on to my recipient of this award, Serge Ibaka or as I like to call him, I-Block-a. This man is a force on the defensive end of the court protecting the rim and blocking shots with reckless abandon. At 3.63 blocks per game he leads the league in blocks by a large margin (JaVale McGee is second with 2.19 per game). Ibaka has the ability to protect the rim like no other player in the league, recording double digit blocks on three separate occasions this season. His defensive intensity and ability to block and alter shots at the rim make him more than deserving of this award.
2nd place: LeBron James
3rd place: Dwight Howard
Most Valuable Player: LeBron James
Stats: 27.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 6.3 apg, 1.9 spg, 53.1 FG%
This has been a two man race almost all year. LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant. Both have had extremely impressive seasons while leading their teams to great records, so there really isn't a wrong choice here. When simply looking at their stats and the records of their teams this is pretty much a wash between the two of them. What gives LeBron the edge in the competition in my eyes is his defensive prowess. Durant has taken great strides on the defensive side of the court this year but there is no competing with arguably the most versatile defender in NBA history. Never before has there been a player who can defend all five positions on the floor as well as LeBron. He often takes on the responsibility of guarding the opposing team's best player in crunch time regardless of his position. Most people complain that LeBron is surrounded by too much talent to win this award but if you have watched the Miami Heat then you know that just isn't true. He leads the team in points, assists, rebounds, and steals, but more importantly he does whatever is required of him on any given night. If the rest of the team is struggling shooting, he'll pour in 40 points. If his teammates are on fire he'll facilitate and pile up the assists. If they're getting torched by an opposing player then he will shut them down on the defensive end. He does whatever it takes to win and that is what makes him the MVP of the league.
2nd place: Kevin Durant
3rd place: Tony Parker
interesting choices. would have given mvp to durant and defensive player to dwight howard. i don't think his field goal percentage should count against his defense. also, not sure how lou williams could be excluded from sixth man of the year conversation. not saying he should have won, but definately in the top three at least.
ReplyDeletealso, would love your opinion on bulls vs. heat getting chippy. i know jones got ejected, but that was ridiculously flagrant off the ball. d wade was also a bit ridiculous, rip hamilton was just clearing space, nothing wrong with that. finally, not sure how lebron thinks he's big and bad now by throwing shoulders to guys half his size in the back court. to me, that's not playing hard in preparation for proving everybody wrong this time around in the playoffs, that's playing cheap.
I completely understand your choice of Durant for MVP. As for Dwight Howard, it isn't because of his free throw percentage, it's because he usually isn't on the floor at the end of the game when they need defensive stops the most. The reason he isn't on the court is his free throw percentage so that's why I referenced that. As for Lou Williams I wanted to put him on, and you must notice that I did throw in Thad Young. Since I felt like Thad Young deserved it more I couldn't also include Lou Williams, because I couldn't then exclude Jason Terry. They both had similar numbers but Lou Will hasn't been very efficient from the field barely shooting over 40%. That was what gave Terry the nudge over Lou.
DeleteNow on to the Heat and Bulls stuff, I agree with you to an extent. I am a firm believer in letting your play send messages for you. Jones shove was unnecessary. I don't know if he had been insulted or what but either way it seemed excessive and pointless. Wade, frankly saddens me. As you know D Wade is my favorite player, and has been in part because I liked his personality. However, for lack of a better term, he seems to be getting grumpy in his older age. That shove was completely out of line. Now here is where we differ. Although I prefer to send messages with your play I do understand if you wanna send a message with a strong screen or a hard but legal foul like on a layup or something like that. I have absolutely no problem with LeBron's screen. Yes, he did lean in a little bit, but that's allowed under the rules. And if you recall John Lucas almost single handedly beat the Heat earlier this season so LeBron had a bone to pick with him. That being said I don't think LeBron was trying show that he's big and bad. It's not like he taunted him or anything after the screen. If you watch you'll notice that type of screen is very common but most times the opposing player sees it so he doesn't slam right into it. Then when Lucas came running up to get in his face he shoved him away, which is fine. If a guy is getting in your grill there's nothing wrong with getting him away from you.