The “Should Be” 2008-09 NBA Season Awards

At the end of every season, the NBA recognizes talented players for their performances.

While these awards are intended to be based solely on players’ individual performances, as the years have passed, results have varied.

Award considerations have now come to lean on things such as team winning percentage and just plain player popularity. In the process, deserving players have ended up getting the short end of the stick.

That is not to say, of course, that certain of this year’s popular players don’t also deserve the nod.

To recognize those truly deserving the honors, here, with no biased consideration, are your “should be” awards for the past season.

The MVP Award

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Runner-Up: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

To start it off, we have the tightest contested award of all: MVP. After the tug of war between these two, LeBron should edge out Wade.

Although averaging fewer points per game, LeBron makes up for it with his rebounds and fewer turnovers. He was the true definition of what a valuable player is: making his teammates better, as he helped Mo Williams to reach All-Star status.

For me, this decision was based more on the numbers, but it doesn’t hurt that the Cavs are the first-seeded squad in the East. If it’s any consolation, look for Wade’s Heat to overtake the higher-seeded Hawks in their upcoming first-round matchup.

Defensive Player of the Year

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Runner-Up: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Unfortunately for Wade, he is second best again. Howard pummels his bid for DPOY, just as he pummeled away many shot attempts this season.

Opposing teams are scared to drive in the lane when Howard is on duty, as he provides a presence inside that the league has not seen in quite a while.

He led the league in blocks per game, in addition to leading the league in defensive rebounds. He also displayed talented hands for a big man, grabbing one steal a game.

Despite Wade’s lockdown defense on some of the league’s best, his stats are nowhere equal to Howard’s. Sorry D-Wade, but Howard is far more the intimidator.

Sixth Man of the Year

Sixth Man of the Year: Nate Robinson, New York Knicks

Runner-up: Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks

Before the naysayers come ranting, consider this: Robinson possesses something that no other sixth man in the league truly has, but something everyone should.

What that is, is “the X-factor.”

Robinson has the uncanny ability to electrify the crowd and bring them into the game as well. Robinson is also the only sixth man that has the potential to blast off for 30 points on any given night.

The Knicks relied on Robinson quite heavily this season, not having many offensive weapons, unlike the Mavericks.

Robinson often had to lead the team in scoring this season. He plays fewer minutes per game than Terry, and what he trails him in points, he makes up for in rebounds and assists.

Most Improved Player

Most Improved Player: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets

Runner-Up: David Lee, New York Knicks

It was thanks to Harris that the Nets were in the playoff hunt for as long as they were.

Harris emerged as the true star of New Jersey this season, surpassing Vince Carter. He also saw increases in just about every category this season, including a near six-point increase in points per game.

His leap into stardom also led to his first All-Star appearance.

Like Harris, Lee also achieved increases across the board and managed to stay healthy the entire season, which would give him the nod over Danny Granger. That being said, Devin Harris is still the most deserving.

Rookie of the Year

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

Runner-Up: Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets

There was never any real question about this one. Rose, the first pick of last year’s draft, seemed to run away with the award since week one. B

eing hailed the greatest thing to grace Chicago since Michael Jordan, Rose looked like a seasoned point guard, putting up very impressive numbers for a rookie.

Lopez did not have the flashy numbers that Rose obtained. He did, however, along with MIP candidate Devin Harris, lead New Jersey’s charge towards the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the Nets are on the outside looking in, while Rose’s Bulls are matching up with the defending champion Celtics in the first round.

Coach of the Year

Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic

Runner-Up: Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz

Both of these coaches were able to get the most of their players. Van Gundy saw three of his players reach All-Star status, while helping the reigning MIP Hedo Turkoglu pick up right where he left off, having another positive season.

When All-Star Jameer Nelson went down for the season, hopes were dim at best, but Van Gundy has helped his team stay on top. With Kevin Garnett likely out for the playoffs, the Magic should seriously contest the Cavs for the conference title.

Sloan, who recently was elected to the Hall of Fame, really displayed why. His team experienced injuries to just about every important player at some point throughout the season, but Sloan still managed to guide them to a playoff berth.

Finally with a healthy squad, the Jazz will be no slouch for the first-seeded Lakers.

All-NBA First Team

Guard: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Guard: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat:
Forward: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Forward: LeBron James, Cleavland Cavaliers
Center: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

All-NBA Second Team

Guard: Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs
Guard: Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers
Forward: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Forward: Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Center: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

All-NBA Defensive First Team

Guard: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
Guard: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat
Forward: LeBron James, Cleavland Cavaliers
Forward: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Center: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

All-NBA Defensive Sdecond Team

Guard: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
Guard: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Forward: Ron Artest, Houston Rockets
Forward: Chris Anderson, Denver Nuggets
Center: Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers

All-NBA Rookie First Team

Guard: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Guard: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Forward: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves
Forward: Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets
Center: Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers

All-NBA Rookie Second Team

Guard: Eric Gordon, Los Angeles Clippers
Guard: O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies
Forward: Michael Beasley, Miami Heat
Forward: Jason Thompson, Sacramento Kings
Center: Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

...And there ya have it, folks: The "Should Be" 2008-09 NBA Awards