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Most Improved Player
Erick Blasco: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
The strides he’s made defensively in the last season and a half have taken his game to another level. Now James dominates games on each end of the court.
He’s better at positioning himself without the ball, and though it’s nowhere close to being perfected, James actually can beat opponents from the perimeter, if only at Quicken Loans Arena.
Offense, defense, rebounding, the ability to score and defend his own man, the ability to distribute and help off the ball—all aspects of the game are starting to fall under the King’s jurisdiction.
Yama Hazheer: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets
Mark Cuban must be kicking himself right now, considering the results of the Jason Kidd/Devin Harris swap. While Kidd is in Dallas getting older, declining, and wanting more money, Harris is in New Jersey, leading the team alongside Vince Carter.
He has become the primary offensive option for the Nets, though his defense is shaky despite playing the passing lanes well. Harris has been a good leader, scorer, passer, and clutch this season.
Danny Granger is close to winning this award, too. It'll likely be a coin toss between Harris and Granger for most improved.
Brandon Neal: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
Harris and Granger's stats are nearly identical in every major category except for points per game, comparing this season's to last.
However, Durant's field goal percentage has increased by 4.6 percent, his points per game by five, his three point percentage drastically, rebounds are up by two, assists are up, and even his steals are higher. You can't do any better than that in terms of improvement.
Defensive Player of the Year
Erick Blasco: Shane Battier, Houston Rockets
There’s no better defensive player in the league. Battier’s quickness, strength, timing, footwork, discipline, and ability to execute an individual defensive gameplan have neutralized opposing wings for years. He’s always in perfect defensive position, and prevents players from getting to the basket.
The number of free throw attempts in a game by players Battier is guarding are minuscule with stars like LeBron James, Brandon Roy, and Kobe Bryant being forced well below their season averages for free throws attempted.
Battier is the main reason why the Rockets are second in the Western Conference in opposing field goal percentage.
Yama Hazheer: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard has been a monster on the defensive end this season. He averaged 14 rebounds, three blocks, and one steal through the campaign, and he has shut down most opposing centers and functioned as the defensive anchor for the Orlando Magic.
Brandon Neal: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Howard leads the league in blocks and rebounds, is third among all centers in steals, and those abilities alone scream to opposing guards that they should stay out of the paint when playing the Magic.
Kobe Bryant dominates Shane Battier just as Yao Ming has Howard, but the difference is that Battier leads his opponents into help defense, or poor shooting zones.
Dwight will block your shot no matter the position you play, or where you shoot from, and he doesn't need help doing it.
Rookie of the Year
Erick Blasco: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Rose will someday be mentioned in the same breath as Chris Paul and Deron Williams. His athleticism has been off the charts with a near-perfect combination of speed, strength, hops, and explosion.
Plus, he has a mastery of how to run a pro-level offense. His defense is too passive, but that will improve with age.
He’s already tough enough at drawing charges and has the strength to handle most power-guards. Vinny Del Negro is the coach and Ben Gordon is the high-profile scorer, but Rose is the dictator behind Chicago’s playoff-bound Bulls.
Yama Hazheer: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
The Chicago Bulls had no chance of making the playoffs, according to many experts at the beginning of the season, but Derrick Rose has proved them wrong. He stole the starting point guard spot from Kirk Hinrich and has made the Bulls relevant again.
He has become a great leader for a team that had chemistry issues last season, and he's teamed up well with new coach Vinny Del Negro. He could go down as one of the better point guards to play the game if he continues to get better.
Brandon Neal: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
If you watched yesterday's playoff game against the Celtics, you know why it doesn't get any more obvious.
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