My NBA End-of-Season Awards
But ironically enough, I have come to the conclusion that this year’s defining moment didn’t even occur during the season. It happened three months before the first tip-off.
Above anything else, more than the trades or the injuries, what went down at the Beijing Olympics with Team USA made this season what it is.
Every single member of that grou[ is better for having played in the Games; their subsequent terrific seasons all had the Olympics as a starting point.
Dwyane Wade’s Mickey Rourke-like resurrection began in the Games; seeing the energy with which he played and the burst in his every step, you just knew Wade was back in full effect.
Dwight Howard, who was relegated to being strictly a rebounder and defender, realized he had more to learn and transformed into a more well-rounded beast.
And Kobe Bryant, to his credit, became less of an a-hole.
But most telling of all, perhaps, was that LeBron James learned from Kobe what it takes to be truly great.
Which is in large part why, if I alone had the power, would give out the end-of-season awards like this:
Most Valuable Player: LeBron James
Honestly, he’s had it in the bag for a while now. It’s been evident from the onset of the season that King James is on a mission to make it clear, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that he is the best player in the league.
Yes, he has raised his field goal, three-point, and free-throw percentages from last year, but the true elevation of his game has been seen on the defensive end.
Unlike in years past, James is now a consistently dependable on-ball deterrent, and he remains a lethal help-side defender and has perfected the come-from-behind swat that Tayshaun Prince made famous. He's the motor of the best defense in the league.
To sum things up, Wade has been the most dynamic player of the year, and Kobe the most skilled, but LeBron is the most valuable.
The 2009 season will be looked back upon as his.
Ballot:
1. LeBron James
2. Dwyane Wade
3. Kobe Bryant
4. Dwight Howard
5. Chauncey Billups
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
Here’s another benefactor of Team USA participation.
Coach K, a master at teaching team defense, wanted Howard to do two things and two things only: rebound and block shots. And he proved he can do those.
"D12" leads the league in blocks (2.9) and is second in defensive rebounds (9.6) and plays on the third-best defensive team in the NBA.
Dwyane Wade will rightfully receive some first-place votes, seeing how he’s been a complete menace in the passing lanes, amassing 173 steals and an astounding 105 blocks (not bad for someone who’s only 6’4”). But as much as he’s done, he’s still not a defensive anchor like Howard, who’s an absolute eraser in the paint.
Ballot:
1. Dwight Howard
2. Dwyane Wade
3. LeBron James
4. Ron Artest
5. Kevin Garnett
Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose
This is the easiest pick of the bunch.
Rose is well on his way to mastering the most difficult position in the game, and he’s doing it on a Playoff-bound team that has improved massively from its 22-in '08 campaign. He has the look of a seasoned veteran, brushing aside any pressure of living up to being the No. 1 overall draft pick.
In any case, he’s exceeding all expectations.
It’s a big gap between first and second here, but Russell Westbrook has clearly shocked some people with his athleticism and all-around ability. Brook Lopez is also proving to be a steal as the 10th pick and a possible franchise center for the Nets.
Ballot:
1. Derrick Rose
2. Russell Westbrook
3. Brook Lopez
4. O.J. Mayo
5. Kevin Love
Most Improved Player: Devin Harris
I’m finding that, year-in and year-out, the MIP award is the most competitive category.
Kevin Durant has matured into possibly the most effortless scorer in the league; a flick of his wrist from deep, and the ball swishes the net. But a sophomore leap is expected, and this award in particular is very much an acknowledgment of exceeded expectations.
Devin Harris is a legitimate star in this league and has a lot of people in Dallas regretting the Kidd trade.
Now, who saw that one coming?
Exactly. Consider the expectations exceeded.
Ballot:
1. Devin Harris
2. Kevin Durant
3. Danny Granger
4. Paul Millsap
5. Nene
Sixth Man of the Year: Jason Terry
He’s been the Mavs’ best and most consistent player all season long, providing a potent offensive punch in the second unit.
He leads all supersubs with 19.6 points per game and 160 three-pointers made, and like all great sixth men, Terry may not start games, but he finishes them.
Mark Cuban and his Mavs wouldn’t be where they are without him.
Ballot:
1. Jason Terry
2. J.R. Smith
3. Nate Robinson
4. Travis Outlaw
5. Leandro Barbosa
Coach of the Year: Mike Brown, Cavaliers
It’s not just the fact that the Cavs have the best record in the NBA; it’s how they went about achieving it that makes Brown’s coaching performance most impressive.
Cleveland withstood the part-time losses of Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West, and Ben Wallace, all of whom are starters. The Cavs have played with a fully healthy squad for only a small chunk of the season, and that’s scary news for everyone else, because they’re only getting better from here.
And this isn’t even mentioning the seamless integration of Mo Williams.
And once again, the Cavs are one of best defensive teams in the league. Credit this all to Brown’s tutelage—and, I suppose, to some guy named LeBron.
Ballot:
1. Mike Brown, Cavs
2. George Karl, Nuggets
3. Stan Van Gundy, Magic
4. Rick Adelman, Rockets
5. Gregg Popovich, Spurs
All-NBA First Team
G Dwyane Wade
G Kobe Bryant
F LeBron James
F Tim Duncan
C Dwight Howard
All-Defense First Team
G Chris Paul
G Dwyane Wade
F Ron Artest
F LeBron James
C Dwight Howard
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