It’s nitty gritty time people! The time of the year when March Madness is everywhere (Twitter, blogs, TV.etc), where the MLB season is right around the corner, and something I’m very excited for, is the 2010 World Cup.
But that all is a different story.
Right now we are in the middle of the NBA’s stretch run, and things couldn’t be any juicier for the typical NBA fan…whether you’re a Celtics fan and you can’t stop asking yourself why the green and white keep losing, or you’re a Laker fan and are wondering how much closer Dallas and Denver could be to the rearview mirror.
Then, there are the NBA accolades. The short list of star-studded talents, many of whom are future Hall 0f Famers. These are always lists that can be heavily debated until the end of time.
Well lucky for you debaters, I’m about to end (or start) the arguements right here!
NBA MVP
Leader:Â LeBron James
PPG: 29.9 / RPG: 7.2 / APG: 8.5 / BPG: 1.0 / SPG: 1.7 / PER: 31.8
While it’s safe to say that Bron probably has this award pretty much locked up. But there’s still room for debate. Kobe has 7 Michael Jordan’s* this season, Durant is leading a team full of college kids into the trenches of the deep West, and Dwight Howard is showing us how centers used to dominate the game. But, LeBron is simply doing it all. Scoring. Passing. Playing defense. Coaching. Even a little dance entertainment on the sidelines. Again, it’s safe to say this thing is locked up.
Runner-up: Â Kevin Durant
PPG: 29.8 / RPG: 7.5 / APG: 2.8 / BPG: 1.0 / SPG: 1.3 / PER: 25.5
Durant always has me with a dumb look on my face. You know, that look where you’re like, “How the (explicit) did he do that”!? Durant is a monster at the moment. Who would’ve thought Durant would be in MVP talks? Scoring title talks? Playoff hunt talks? Most of us didn’t. But what I do know is, is that a lot of teams in the West are beginning to get the jitters of playing that one Oklahoma City team in the first round. Courtesy, of Mr.Durantula.
On another note, LeBron and Durant are in the top two also for the scoring title chase!
sorry Kobe fans..LA and #24 haven’t been showing up as of recent.
Defensive Player of the Year
Leader:Â Dwight Howard
PPG: 18.7 / RPG: 13.2 / APG: 1.7 / BPG: 2.7 / SPG: 1.0 / PER: 24.3
Surpise, surprise! Dwight should get it again this season, even though it’s simply not fair. Why? Well the guy looks like the child of a dragon, bull, mustang, and gorilla (and no, he’s not ugly). Have you seen his body? He’s like that one bouncer at a club you meet who won’t let you in. Two things come to mind: 1) Should I try getting at that hot chick? and 2) Do I have life insurance?
Runner-up: Ron Artest
PPG: 11.2 / RPG: 4.4 / APG: 3.1 / BPG: 0.3 / SPG: 1.3 / PER: 12.30
I don’t care what you say. Ron Artest, is simply a pure BAD-ASS! He’s a bad ass on Twitter, he’s a bad-ass off the court, and he’s especially a bad-ass on the court. No matter if the game ends with him only scoring 6 points, an d 2 boards, it makes no difference. Ron Artest simply get’s in your head. The stats are just a plus. Let’s face it, ever since that whole scenario in Detroit, Ron Ron has always gotten the rep of “don’t eff with me!”. But back to this season, Ron is not playing the D of his career, but he’s still getting his job done. Who else would you have behind Dwight?
Rookie of the Year
Leader: Tyreke Evans
PPG: 20.3 / RPG: 5.20 / APG: 5.6 / BPG: 0.4 / SPG: 1.4 / PER: 19.75
If you didn’t guess Evans would be number one, you pretty much don’t know ball. Helloooo??? The Kings are actually interesting to watch again. Seriously? The last time I could actually stomach a whole Kings game, was when Hedo and Bibby use to ball over there. Evans is putting up “LeBron-like” rookie numbers. 20-5-5. Those are great numbers for any NBA player, but for a rookie? Incredible. Evans reminds me a lot of Wade? No?
Runner-Up: Stephen Curry
PPG: 16.4 / RPG: 4.20 / APG: 5.5 / BPG: 0.2 / SPG: 1.8 / PER: 17.71
Steph is a very close second. Playing in a back court with Monta Ellis, you have to have that extra quick step, and Curry is doing just that. What is mostly surprising me about Curry is that he is playing VERY good defense. If their were a Rookie Defensive Player of the Year, it would go to Curry. He’s averaging nearly 2 SPG. But the Warriors must soon realize that this tandem of Ellis and Curry will not be able to work for long. Someone will need to go, but who? I say keep Steph.
Sixth Man of the Year
Leader: Carl Landry
PPG: 16.3 / RPG: 5.8 / APG: 0.8 / BPG: 0.8 / SPG: 0.6 / PER: 16.73
Before you start going nuts on how Landry is starting for the Kings, let me tell you this. The official league rules state that in order to to be in the balloting for 6th man, you must play the majority of your games coming off the bench. Carl Landry played about 50+ off the bench for Houston, so he’s actually in the race. Carly Landry is also my surprise player of the year, because to be honest, I barely knew this guy before the whole Dirk/teeth thing.
Runner-up: Jamal Crawford
PPG: 17.6 / RPG: 2.5 / APG: 2.9 / BPG: 0.2 / SPG: 0.8 / PER: 14.38
When your coming off the bench, for a contending playoff team, and you’re knocking down half-court threes, buzzer beaters, and you dice and slice through defenses like water, you are definitely going to be in the running for Sixth man. Crawford may have been the best pickup of any team this past off-season. This guy is simply a scoring machine, honestly. If you put the rock in his hands, and tell him to drop 20 for you, he’ll end up with 30. Landry is ahead, but only by a hair.
Most Improved Player of the Year
Leader: Aaron Brooks
PPG: 20.6 / RPG: 2.60 / APG: 5.2 / BPG: 0.2 / SPG: 0.9 / PER: 15.92
Arguably the fastest baller in the league. I’m a big fan of Brooks. Especially after last season’s series against Kobe and the Lakers. You know, the one that brought the Lakers to 7 games. Brooks is averaging nearly 10 points more than last season, nearly 2 more assists, Â and almost one rebound more from last season. Is there anything to debate here folks?
Runner-up: Josh Smith
PPG: 15.8 / RPG: 8.7 / APG: 4.3 / BPG: 2.1 / SPG: 1.7 / PER: 22.47
Josh Smith is a freak of nature, and I mean that in the most respectable way possible. This guy’s wingspan really makes you think he is a damn Hawk! He’s averaging a half a block more, and nearly 2 more assists a game. 2.1 blocks a game for a small/power forward? Damn. That’s scary good!
NBA Coach of the Year
Scotts Brooks
Did anyone think the Thunder would actually have a better record than the Spurs or Jazz? Easy answer. No.
Scott Skiles
The Bucks are really shaping up into a nice squad. With young guns like Jennings, Ilyasova, and Bogut, the Bucks are poised to snatch a playoff spot this season.
Thanks for tuning in everyone!
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PHOTO COURTESY: Yahoo! Sports
Photographers
- -Ken Kolb
- -Jacob Moore
- -Tosh Liam
- -Tony Burke
