NBA: Predicting the 2012-13 Regular Season Awards

The NBA Finals ended less than two months ago. Yet, the NBA draft, the NBA Summer League, the USA Olympic team and offseason player moves are keeping the NBA in the headlines as fans prepare for the 2012-13 season. 

And though moves can still be made—and likely will be—before the start of the season on Oct. 30, it's human nature to speculate on what the future may hold.  

Keeping all that in mind, let's take a look at players who are early favorites to take home awards at the end of next season. 

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James

Whether the Heat win the 2012-13 NBA title will depend largely on the play of the Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

But expect the Heat to make the Finals, largely  because three-time MVP LeBron James,now has the biggest monkey of his life off his back. He has won a championship, and if you thought he was playing more free and relaxed this past season, expect to see a man who is very comfortable in his own skin in the coming year. 

With James, his game was never in question, only his ability to close out big games. With a ring comfortably on his finger, it's scary to think that he may just now be hitting his stride.

James is a perennial MVP candidate anyway, and this year he may end up as one of only four other players—Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Michael Jordan, Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain—with four or more MVP awards.  

If not James:

Keep an eye on Kevin Durant, who could very well win another scoring title and once again lead his team to the Finals, and Dwight Howard, who, if focused, could be the deciding factor in whether Kobe Bryant gets a sixth ring. 

Coach of the Year: Rick Adelman

A healthy Ricky Rubio alone will almost undoubtedly ensure that the Minnesota Timberwolves arise from the bottom of the NBA's Northwest division. 

The additions of Andre Kirilenko, Chase Budinger and Brandon Roy—assuming he can stay healthy and make an impact off the bench—should add depth to a lineup that already includes Rubio, Kevin Love, J.J. Barea, the young Derrick Williams and the emerging Nikola Pekovic.

At full strength, the Timberwolves lineup will be strong enough to make a push for a low seed in the playoffs under the right leadership. 

Although he has been a runner-up for Coach of the Year four times, according to the NBA's website, Adelman should have received the top honor when he nearly brought the Sacramento Kings to an appearance in the NBA Finals. 

If Adelman is at the helm when the Wolves return to the postseason for the first time since the 2003-04 season, expect him to finally win the award. 

If not Adelman:

Keep an eye on Gregg Popovich—arguable the league's best coach—who could win his third Coach of the Year award if he is able to repeat the San Antonio Spurs 2011-12 success with the stars of his team being even older.

Also keep an eye on Erik Spoelstra, who was finally able to help Miami's Big Three learn to play together en route to an NBA championship. If Miami looks as good or better than it did last season, Spoelstra could end the season with his first Coach of the Year award. 

Most Improved Player: Isaiah Thomas

I wrote an article at the beginning of the month stating how Thomas could win this award. 

In summary, Thomas had a great rookie season—averaging 11.5 points and 4.1 assists per game—that largely went under the radar because he played for Sacramento. 

Also, Thomas didn't get the opportunity to start until Feb. 17 and averaged 14.7 points and 5.3 assists per game in those final 37 games. 

Thomas won two Rookie of the Month awards and finished the season as one of the Kings' best players.

 With even more playing time this season and more attention on him, Thomas could definitely win this award. 

If not Thomas:

Keep an eye on Klay Thompson who played a similar role with the Golden State Warriors. Thompson took as shooting guard after Monta Ellis was traded and will certainly be one of the top scorers on the Warriors next season. 

Also keep an eye on Jeremy Lin, who still needs to prove that what he did in his short stint as a healthy starter on the Knicks last season was not a fluke or simply the result of Mike DiAntoni's system. He will get plenty of opportunity to prove himself on the Houston Rockets. 

Sixth Man of the Year: James Harden

Seriously, is there even an argument here? 

James Harden would be a starter on any other team, but until he becomes one—which likely depends on how long he stays with the Oklahoma City Thunder—he's going to be the man to beat for this award for years to come.

With a poor Finals performance now on his resume, expect Harden to be playing for a chance to redeem himself. 

Harden averaged 16.8 points per game off the bench last season. Enough said.  

If not Harden:

Keep an eye on Marcus Thornton—the Sacramento Kings' leading scorer last season—who could transition to the bench this year in a move to make the Kings a deeper team.

And though I don't think he will win the award, it's worth noting that Marshon Brooks of the Brooklyn Nets has already made the claim to Slam Online that he wants to win the award. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

The one knock on Dwight Howard has been how committed he is to the game. That said, he's still managed to amass three Defensive Player of the Year awards and be crowned the NBA's best center. 

Granted, Howard will be coming off back surgery and could miss some games at the beginning of the season. But his move to the Los Angeles Lakers could be—though packed with drama—the motivation he needs to excel.

He'll be on a team rich in championship history with several players around him who have been through the experience of winning a title. He'll also be around players like Kobe Bryant who aren't afraid to call him out. 

A healthy and rejuvenated Howard will have every opportunity to grab this award by the horns. 

If not Howard:

Keep an eye on LeBron James, who has been a first-team defender for years now and has been highly praised the last few years for his ability to defend every position. 

As the main defender on a team that hasn't been known for defense, the Knicks' Tyson Chandler will also be a candidate.

Rookie of the Year: Anthony Davis

This seems like another easy prediction. 

The New Orleans Hornets fell to the bottom of the league after dealing Chris Paul to the Los Angeles Clippers. 

This year, with two top-10 draft picks—Davis and Austin Rivers—to go with budding young stars Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, the Hornets could at least give their fans some hope for the future. 

Davis averaged more than 10 rebounds and nearly five blocks per game in his one year at Kentucky. He won a national championship and was the first pick in the draft. 

He was also a reserve on Team USA, this year's Olympic basketball gold-medal winner.

Barring an injury, Davis should have a great rookie season and may quickly become the star of the Hornets. 

Davis could be the cornerstone of the Hornets franchise for years to come. 

If not Davis:

Keep an eye on Damian Lillard of the Portland Trailblazers, who was named co-MVP of this year's Summer League and goes to a team that needs a starting point guard.

All-Star MVP: Kevin Durant

Although Kevin Durant has the drive to become a better all-around player, he is first and foremost a lethal scorer.

Unless he's injured, Durant will start in the 2013 NBA All-Star Game, and what better place to showcase his scoring ability than the one game of the year when nobody plays defense? 

This award depends on which conference wins the game, but with Dwight Howard switching from the East to the West, it's hard to see the West not taking home bragging rights. 

That said, Durant won the 2012 All-Star Game MVP, and since this award tends to be up for grabs each year, it's his award to lose. 

If not Durant:

Keep an eye on LeBron James, who could easily take home the award—and would likely be the reason— if the East won the All-Star game.