2012 NBA Playoffs: Postseason Awards Thus Far

The 2012 NBA playoffs have been the most competitive playoffs in years. The quality of play at this point of the postseason is astonishing considering the condensed regular season schedule. Almost every series has come down to the wire, which has reminded the casual fan what a great product that the NBA is. 

There needs to be some recognition of the player's fantastic effort, so I am here to hand out awards for the playoffs up to this point.

Sixth Man of the Playoffs

This is a close call between the regular season Sixth Man of the Year winner, James Harden, and the Spurs' Manu Ginobili. However, Harden has slightly outperformed Manu thus far in the playoffs.

Harden has been crucial to the Thunder's three-straight win against the Spurs and has helped them be one win away from the NBA Finals. Harden hit an incredibly clutch three in Game 5 in San Antonio to extend the Thunder's lead and essentially end the game.

Honorable Mention: Manu Ginobili 

Defensive Player of the Playoffs

Scott Brooks' decision to put Thabo Sefolosha on Tony Parker changed the outcome of the Western Conference finals.

In the first two games Parker ran wild against the likes of Russell Westbrook and James Harden, but since Thabo Sefolosha was assigned the task of guarding Parker, he has not been nearly as productive.

Sefolosha also had an offensive outburst in Game 3 of the Western Conference Finals scoring 19 points on 7-for-16 shooting.

Honorable Mentions: Serge Ibaka, Kevin Garnett

Coach of the Playoffs

Scott Brooks' adjustments between Game 2 and Game 3 were nothing short of remarkable.

The Spurs scored at will in the first two games, but ever since then Brooks has seemed to figure them out. He decided to have his defenders switch on all pick-and-rolls, which was a gutsy move that turned out to be a series-changing adjustment.

In addition, Brooks decided to put Thabo Sefolosha on Tony Parker, which limited his ability to penetrate the lane.

Honorable Mentions: Doc Rivers, Doug Collins

Most Valuable Player of the Playoffs

Rajon Rondo has been incredible during the 2012 playoffs. He has twelve double-doubles and three triple-doubles, which have made him the main reason for Boston's appearance in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Rondo has done whatever the Celtics needed him to do throughout the playoffs. A great example of that is when Paul Pierce was struggling in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals, Rondo stepped up and scored 44 points to go along with eight rebounds and 10 assists.

In fact, Rondo was the first player ever to achieve such numbers in postseason history.

Honorable Mentions: Kevin Durant, LeBron James