NBA Awards 2012: Predicting Winner of Each Remaining Honor
The NBA awards have gone as expected so far in 2012, but we still have plenty of time for surprise as the MVP, Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year have yet to be announced.
Even though there are clear favorites for these awards, anything could happen. Let's take a look at my picks for the remaining honors.
Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
This is probably the easiest pick. Kawhi Leonard, Iman Shumpert and Isaiah Thomas only injected some serious talent into their teams, and Thomas in particular put up fantastic numbers when he received the minutes.
But no one nears Irving.
The first pick of the draft averaged 18.5 points and 5.4 assists per game while shooting 47 percent from the field and 87 percent from the line.
He was the sole reason the Cavs felt they could trade Ramon Sessions, and he became Cleveland's best player after about a week. This is a no-brainer.
Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder
Notice a common theme among all of the candidates? They provide instant offense and can score in bunches.
But unlike Al Harrington (45 percent shooting), Lou Williams (41 percent) and O.J. Mayo (41 percent), James Harden scores efficiently, too.
The bearded maniac has managed to average significantly more points than all of those players while attempting less shots per game.
Harden, on his way to 16.8 points per game, shot 49 percent from the field, 85 percent from the line and even hit two three-pointers per game.
Throw in his contributions in other stats (4.1 rebounds, 3.7 assists and one steal per game) and you have easily the best bench player on the best team of the bunch.
MVP: LeBron James, Miami Heat
I don't agree that LeBron James should win this award, but I think he will. My only beef is this: if you're going to call it the Most Valuable Player, actually take into account what his team would look like without him.
James has two legitimate stars, so does Kevin Durant and Kobe Bryant has the best frontcourt in the NBA behind him.
Chris Paul and Tony Parker both have legitimate weapons behind them, too, but there's no question their teams would suffer the biggest drop-offs without them. I think that makes those two the most valuable.
I'm not taking anything away from James. He has been the best overall player this year, as his other-worldly stats and ability to just dominate games is unmatched. Kevin Durant is a better pure scorer, but he can't match up with James in other aspects of the game.
There you have it. My made-up MOP award goes to LeBron while my made-up MVP award goes to Tony Parker.
