2012 NBA Awards: Who's Leading the MVP, Rookie Race and More After First Quarter

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It's already a quarter of the way through the 2012 NBA season, and we've been treated to some outstanding individual performances.

We've seen enough action already that we can hand out our individual awards throughout the early going.

Here's a look a who's leading in the MVP, Rookie of the Year and other categories after the first quarter of the season.

MVP: Kevin Durant

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Durant gets the nod, as he's putting together another solid season.

Durant is third in the NBA in scoring and has led the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 15-3 start to the season. He's also been fantastic late in games, knocking down a couple of game-winners in the process.

 

Runner-Ups: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau

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Thibodeau has led the Bulls to a 16-3 start to the season and has done so with a commitment to defense.

He's also done so with the reigning MVP injured for a few games, and with Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah not off to good starts this season season.

 

Runner-Ups: Doug Collins, Scott Brooks, Larry Drew

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

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Harden is the clear-cut winner so far, coming off the Thunder bench. He's having a great season, averaging 16.7 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

Right now, Harden is the most productive sixth man in the NBA.

 

Runner-Up: Jason Terry

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

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Pretty soon they will have to name this award after Howard, who is leading the NBA in rebounding once again and is among the top five players in the NBA in blocks.

The only other player in the NBA in the top 10 in both categories is Memphis' Marc Gasol.

 

Runner-Up: Gasol

Most Improved Player: Kyle Lowry

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You could see Lowry coming on at the end of last season, and while you knew he would continue the progression, Lowry has quickly become one of the best point guards in the league.

He barely edges out Orlando's Ryan Anderson, who would be just as deserving.

 

Runner-Ups: Anderson, James Harden

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving

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It hasn't been a great rookie class, but it's been highlighted by a couple of future All-Star point guards in Irving and Ricky Rubio.

Both are well beyond their years in running an offense, but I give Irving the slight edge because he's the better overall scorer.

 

Runner-Up: Rubio