End of the Year Awards
Alright, I’ve got limited time to get things done here. I actually have to study for my finals. (By the way, after May 3, I will NEVER have another final. I’m actually giddy at this point. Although, I don’t think I’ve ever actually been giddy in my life, I think that’s what this is. Either that, or I’m in the early stages of a hangover. It’s a toss-up.)
Without further ado, my end of year awards:
Rookie of the Year: Chris Paul (probably the easiest ROY decision of all time, at least since David Robinson’s rookie year.)
All-Rookie Team:
G - Chris Paul
G - Raymond Felton
F - Charlie Villanueva
F - Channing Frye (only because of his early successes this season. As of right now, I like Ike Diogu, Ryan Gomes, and Danny Granger much, much better than Frye.)
C - Andrew Bogut
Defensive Player of the Year: Bruce Bowen. I’m voting for him until he wins this thing.
All-Defensive Team:
G - Kobe Bryant
G - Bruce Bowen (I’m cheating here, since Bruce regularly guards shooting guards)
F - Andrei Kirilenko
F - Ron Artest
C - Ben Wallace
Interesting note here, Gerald Wallace led the league in steals per game, and is in the top 11 in blocks per game. However, he only played 55 games this year, so he got bumped by the exceptional number of small forwards who are great defenders. AK-47, Bowen, Artest, and Gerald Wallace. That’s pretty darn good.)
Coach of the Year: Avery Johnson - 60 wins, and he handled a barrage of injuries and losing two of the three big guns at the start of each of the last two seasons. And, he convinced Dirk to play some defense. That’s historical in its own right. I know Flip coaches the team with the best record, but he came to a roster that hasn’t lost a starter in three seasons. Flip also loosened the collar from L.B. and allowed his guys to play and have some fun on the offensive end.
For the record, I think Mike D’Antoni should finish second here, and he did a much better job than he did last season in my opinion. The Little General has done amazing things with the Mavs this season, and he should win. Gregg Popovich will continue his streak of not winning a CoY award despite having the best winning percentage over the past seven years.
Most Improved Player: Boris Diaw, simply because he was throw-in trade bait to make the money work for the Joe Johnson deal. Now, he’s the starting center on the number 2 seed in the Western Conference. He’s essentially started at every position this season except for point guard, but he’s played there too along the way. Once again, Hawks’ management is retarded.
Interesting note: if not for Diaw’s amazing run, Tony Parker was my vote simply because he carried the Spurs on his back for long stretches this season, and he’s in the top 5 in field goal percentage. Did I mention he’s a small point guard with a terrible jumper. He’s done whatever he wanted all season long. He’s like the Teddy KGB of point guards. “I vill (attack zee lane) venever the BLEEP I vant.” The third place finisher in this vote is Gerald Wallace. Check out his career stats, and you will understand. He should earn a major pay-raise this summer.
Sixth Man of the Year: Mike Miller. This one was cake. I would appreciate it if Michael Finley would remember how to knock down open jumpers.
And now the most important one of all, MVP: I HAVE NO IDEA. I go back and forth all day long between Kobe, Dirk, and LeBron. Which player has a weaker cast? Not sure. Who’s done more to improve their team? LeBron. Who’s been more important in the final seconds? Kobe. Who has the best record of the lot? Dirk. Who has dealt with the most injuries/changes? Dirk or LeBron. The thing that kills me is that the Cavs played better when Flip showed up, and the Lakers made no roster changes all season. However, getting Luke Walton more run helped other players come out of their shell. As much as I hate to say it, I think I have to give it to Kobe. Just in case you are wondering, I think you can make a really strong case for any one of the following players:
1. Kobe (waaaaaaaaaay too selfish, and I don’t like him)
2. LeBron James (he’s so good that I don’t think he’s doing enough, despite averaging 31, 7, and 6.6 (see below…)
3. Tony Parker (outstanding team all the way around, even with all the injuries)
4. Steve Nash/Shawn Marion (cancelling each other out)
5. Chauncey Billups (hurt by the fact that both Wallace’s and Rip are just as good)
6. Dirk Nowitzki (he’s German, and has really bad hair)
7. Dwyane Wade (still has an aging Shaq, and an aging Shaq is better than what anybody else has)
8. Carmello Anthony (he’s officially becoming the late-game assassin).
9. Elton Brand (hurt because Sam Cassell is the real driving force in Clipper-dom).
Editor’s note: I just looked at LeBron’s stats on NBA.com, and he is in the top-20 in every single statistical category in the league except rebounds per game where he still pulls down 7 per game. Because of the information that has just come to my attention, I will have to give my vote to LeBron James. Not only is he the Most Valuable Player to his team and the league (including marketing potential), he WILL go down as the greatest to ever play the game. And ‘Melo and Wade will be there the whole time pushing him towards greatness, because they are just as competitive and only slightly below him. Now, as one of the 10 NBA junkies on the planet, that really does make me giddy.
