The NBA season is swiftly approaching and you can feel the excitement in the air. There are new coaches, exceptional rookies, and old faces in new places. What better time to make end of the season award predictions than two days before the season begins?
Most Valuable Player: LeBron James
LeBron is a guy that has been overlooked by coaches for a couple of seasons now. He has improved his game every year and is the face of the NBA. Ask yourself, where would the Cavaliers be without King James? I believe that this year averaging 30 points a game will be enough to get serious consideration in MVP voting.
Runners-up:
2. Kobe Bryant
3. Chris Paul
4. Kevin Garnett
5. Dwight Howard
Rookie of the Year: Greg Oden
I know Greg looks like he's 42, and I also know he was drafted in the 2007 draft. But technically Greg Oden is a rookie. After missing all of last season with microfracture knee surgery Oden will make his NBA debut in the 08/09 season. While the draft class of 2008 has some exceptional young players, none of these players are Greg Oden. This kid was a beast in college leading Ohio State to the NCAA championship game with a right hand injury. With players like Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge to support him, Oden's job will be an easy one. Just dominate.
Runners-up:
2. Michael Beasley
3. Derrick Rose
4. O.J. Mayo
5. Rudy Fernandez
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Last season Dwight Howard averaged 14.2 rebounds, 2.2 blocks. and 0.9 steals. Because of the sheer dominance of the Boston Celtics, Kevin Garnett was crowned defensive player of the year while Howard posted better numbers. This season D. Howard won't be denied. The kid is a monster in the paint and will continue to progress.
Runners-up:
2. Marcus Camby
3. Kevin Garnett
4. Ron Artest
5. Bruce Bowen
Most Improved Player: Tyrus Thomas
Tyrus Thomas was drafted 4th overall in the 2006 NBA Draft. He has shown flashes of brilliance but has not lived up to being such a high lottery pick. Some might say that it's his youth and immaturity that has prevented him from producing in the league. But if you ask Tyrus it's all about playing time. In two seasons while averaging 15 minutes a game Tyrus has posted 6.0 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks. When Thomas has played more than 35 minutes he averaged 19.7 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 2.2 blocks. In seven preseason games Thomas has been the Bulls' best player with 10.1 points. 8.60 rebounds, 2.14 blocks, and 1.0 steals. With a new coaching staff in place in Chicago Thomas will get more time on the court. The addition of Derrick Rose will also make TT's job a lot easier.
Runners-up:
2. Rajon Rondo
3. Nene
4. Chris Duhon
5. Devin Harris
Sixth Man of the Year: James Posey
Finally, the ultimate sixth man will get his due. James Posey played a big part in helping the Boston Celtics win the NBA championship in 2008. He also played a key role in Miami's title win in 2006. Posey is the ultimate glue guy. He does it all, defense, rebounding, and shooting. I am not a fan of some of his tactics, but overall he provides more good than bad. The people in New Orleans will love James Posey and the coaches will recognize his contributions.
Runners-up:
2. Rodney Stuckey
3. Ben Gordon
4. Manu Ginobili
5. Louis Williams
Sportsmanship Award: Brandon Roy
One of the more underrated awards given out in the postseason is the Sportsmanship Award, also known as the Joe Dumars Trophy. This award is given to the player that best exemplifies sportsmanship on the court-ethical behavior, fair play, and integrity. One player is nominated by each NBA team. A panel decides on six players, one from each division to be nominated. The players themselves have the final vote on who exhibits the best sportsmanship on the court. Not being an actual NBA player this prediction is difficult, but I would put my money on Portland's Brandon Roy. He represents himself, the Trailblazers, and the NBA very well. He comes off as one of the nicer guys in all of pro sports.
Runners-up:
2. Derek Fisher
3. Luol Deng
4. Shane Battier
5. Elton Brand
6. Al Horford
Coach of the Year: Nate McMillan
The Portland Trailblazers will turn a lot of heads this season. With talent like Oden, Roy, and Aldridge the Blazers will be hard to handle on both ends of the floor. The credit will go to Nate McMillan. Nate has been a very good coach in Portland and Seattle juggling injuries and ego's while producing wins. In a tough western conference the Blazers should nab a playoff spot, and McMillan coach of the year honors.
Runners-up:
2. Maurice Cheeks
3. Rick Adelman
4. Scott Skiles
5. Byron Scott
Executive of the Year: Ed Stefanski
Ed Stefanski is the guy that lured Elton Brand from the Clippers to the 76ers. It was the single biggest move of the off season. He also drafted Marreese Speights and negotiated contracts for Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams. Quietly he convinced veteran players Donyell Marshall, Royal Ivey, Kareem Rush and Theo Ratliff to join the team for modest pay. He has the 76ers moving in the right direction.
Runners-up:
2. John Hammond
3. Daryl Morey
4. Danny Ferry
5. Kevin Pritchard
All-NBA Team:
Team 1
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
LeBron James
Kevin Garnett
Dwight Howard
Team 2
Deron Williams
Dwyane Wade
Dirk Nowitzki
Tim Duncan
Yao Ming
Team 3
Steve Nash
Tracy McGrady
Paul Pierce
Amare Stoudamire
Tyson Chandler
All-Rookie Team:
Team 1
Rudy Fernandez
Derrick Rose
O.J. Mayo
Michael Beasley
Greg Oden
Team 2
Russell Westbrook
Jerryd Bayless
Kevin Love
Brook Lopez
Marc Gasol
All-Defensive Team:
Team 1
Ron Artest
Bruce Bowen
Kevin Garnett
Marcus Camby
Dwight Howard
Team 2
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Shane Battier
Tayshaun Prince
Tyson Chandler
Comments
I like your pick for Lebron as MVP. As a Cavs fan it's been weird to see how some of these coaches have looked past the best all-around player in basketball. MVP and championship sounds good for 2008. He should have won the MVP in the 2005-06 season, where he averaged 31 6 and 7, and led a JV type Cavs squad to game 7 versus Detroit in the Eastern Semis.
I know. It's kind of mind boggling. He always gets a few votes but it's literally "a few". That always surprises me.
Solid picks. I agree with most of them.
But I think Kobe will be First Team Defensive as he renews his commitment to the defensive end. He may lack some of the stats because his minutes will be down as the Lakers steamroll over most teams, but I still think he makes it.
Also, while Posey is a good choice, I really think it will be Manu (if he is healthy) or Lamar Odom (if he comes off the bench). Both players have more potential than Posey. It is a matter of whether they qualify.
I thought about Lamar Odom and Ginobili, but I can't see those guys riding the bench for too long. I believe Manu will miss a little bit of time as well.
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