By: Jason Glover
With about 10+ games left for each team in the regular season, I thought it was the perfect time to give my predictions for all of the NBA Awards. These are not the players that I personally want to see win the awards, but more the players that I think will win the awards. So let’s not waste anymore time. Let’s have a go at this.
Most Valuable Player
Derrick Rose. This award is his to lose at this point. Just about everyone in the media has a man-crush on this kid from Chicago. There is however a bit of controversy in the air if Rose is to win the award as the youngest player to ever do so. Some critics are pointing to a lack in Rose’s efficiency and they believe that Rose should not win the award because advanced statistics prove that Rose is not really that great. There is some truth to these feelings if you ask me, but I do not think it will stop Rose from taking the MVP home.
The Majority of people are for Rose winning the award because he has led a Bulls team to the top of the east almost by himself. He has been clutch and has played with ice in his veins all season long. He has also carried this Bulls team without the help of either Carlos Boozer or Joakim Noah for a great portion of the season. His vast improvements to his outside shooting and his ability to drive to the paint regardless of defensive sets has put him in a league his own on the offensive end. Rose’s presence on the floor is felt by every opposing team and that is a big reason why coaches and players around the league have crowned him MVP already.
In the mix.
LeBron James and Dwight Howard.
Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard. It is really hard to even think of any player taking this award ahead of Howard. He has simply been a beast again this season. The Orlando Magic are full of players that hate to play defense, but despite this they rank fourth in opponents field goal percentage and fifth in points allowed. Howard is not just the anchor of the defense, he is the whole damn ship.
In the mix.
LeBron James, Rajon Rondo, and Kevin Garnett.
Rookie of the Year.
Blake Griffin. Many thought that John Wall would be the front runner for this award heading into the season. After missing his entire rookie campaign, many felt that Griffin might be a bust or at the best an 15ppg and 6rpg type of rookie that would give Wall a run for his money. However, Griffin came into the season healthy and took it by storm. He made a name for himself as an above the rim player that is oozing with talent. He still has a lot to learn about the game, but he has the freak of nature raw ability with the ball that only comes around about every decade or so. He very well could be winning a MVP in the future, he is that scary good.
In the mix.
Nobody.
Kevin Love. Sure he plays for the crappy Timberwolves, but that does not make what he has done this season something to overlook. Not only is he averaging a ridiculous 20.3ppg and 15.4rpg he also had the longest double-double streak since Moses Malone in 1979-80. The guy is crazy good. Last season he averaged 14ppg and 11rpg, which is not bad, but he has turned from a solid player into a big time star. Hopefully Minnesota can keep him around because he is a franchise-type player. If he works on his defense then he could win over all his critics.
In the mix.
LaMarcus Aldridge and Russell Westbrook.
Sixth Man of the Year.
Jason Terry. I would hand the award to Lamar Odom if he had not started so many games this season for the Lakers, but even with that being said Jason Terry has done great job off the bench for the Mavericks again this season. The only other player really on the radar is Jamal Crawford but the Hawks have been horrid as of late so I do not see him having much of a chance.
In the mix.
Lamar Odom and Jamal Crawford.
Coach of the Year.
Doug Collins. I am going out on a limb here a little bit. I think that Tom Thibodeau and Greg Popovich have done a better overall job then Collins has, but he has a team with no superstar and he turned them around from being a below average team last season to a pretty scary first round matchup. Collins is also a likable guy and has a lot of friends in the media. I think he has a real shot at winning it if the 76ers continue to play well and close out the season with the fifth or sixth seed.
In the mix.
Tom Thibodeau and Greg Popovich.
All NBA Teams
First Team
G- Derrick Rose G- Kobe Bryant F- LeBron James F- Kevin Durant C- Dwight Howard
Second Team
G- Chris Paul G- Dwyane Wade F- Carmelo Anthony F- Dirk Nowitzki C- Amar’e Stoudemire
Third Team
G- Deron Williams G- Russell Westbrook F- Kevin Love F- LaMarcus Aldridge C- Pau Gasol
In the mix.
Manu Ginobili, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, and Blake Griffin.
All Defensive First Team.
G- Rajon Rondo G- Dwyane Wade F- LeBron James F- Kevin Garnett C- Dwight Howard
Well I hope you enjoyed the read and please reply with your picks for all of the NBA awards this season.
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