NBA Award Winners: Quarter Of The Season Edition

Well, a quarter of the NBA season is already behind us. Yes, I know it has been 23 games, but I'm rounding. Obviously, there is plenty more season left, but if it ended today, these are my NBA Award winners.

MVP

Dirk Nowitzki: The Mavericks have the second best record in the league and Nowitzki is right in the middle of it. He is quietly averaging a career high in field-goal pecenage and three-point percentage.

Amare Stoudemire: Remember those questions on whether Amare would struggle without Nash? Me neither. Stoudemire has put this Knicks team on his back during this eight game winning streak, averaging 33.8 points and 10.9 rebounds.

Derrick Rose: We are witnessing Rose coming of age as a superstar. He is rising to the level where he can take over games. I wonder if LeBron would have damaged Rose's future Hall of Fame career had he signed with Chicago.

Rajon Rondo: We already know about the captain, Pierce, the emotional backbone, Garnett and the shotmaker, Allen. But when Rondo plays well, this team is special. The Celtics have the best record in the league and Rondo is averaging an eye-popping 13.7 assists per game.

Manu Ginobili: The Spurs currently have the best record in the NBA and Ginobili is picking up where he left off in the second half of last year. Of course, those ankles are always a concern.

Winner: Dirk Nowitzki

Defensive Player of the Year:

Dwight Howard: Once again, Howard is in the top five in rebounding and blocked shots. He is the only reason why the Magic are fourth in the league in defensive efficiency.

Kevin Garnett: Garnett has returned to the level of defense he played in 2008. The Celtics are holding opponents to just 91 points per game.

Tyson Chandler: Chandler is the best center in Mavericks' franchise history(sorry Damp). He has given them a dimension of athleticism at the center position that the Mavs have never had before. The Mavs are only allowing 93 points per game and he is a big reason why.

Joakim Noah: Noah has certainly made his contributions to the Bulls' third ranked defense.

Shawn Marion: No, he isn't the same defender he was in Phoenix. But Carlise likes to sic Marion on the opposition's best perimeter scorer in the fourth quarter, to give him a different look.

Winner: Kevin Garnett

Sixth Man of the Year

Jamal Crawford: Hopefully Crawford stays in Atlanta; he is exactly what their bench has needed for the last two years.

Jason Terry: He continues to provide the sparkplug for the Mavs' offense. Terry is also handling the ball more, as he is averaging his highest assist output since 2007.

Shannon Brown: Laker fans should not only be excited about his highlight reel jams, but the fact that he is shooting 46 percent from long distance.

George Hill: After struggling for the first five games of the season, Hill appears comfortable coming off the bench.

C.J Miles: Miles has become the primary offensive option off the bench and appears to finally be showing improvement as a role player.

Winner: Jamal Crawford

Most Improved Player

Kevin Love: If he continues this level of play, this award race won't even be close. In an era where power forwards like to face-up, Love is bringing back that "Old School" physical presence at the position.

Richard Jefferson: Bill Simmons called Jefferson "the oldest candiate of this award". But, it appears that he has finally found his niche in the Spurs' system.

Raymond Felton: He is no Steve Nash, but Felton is flourishing in Mike D'Antoni's offense.

Roy Hibbert: Hibbert has quietly become one of the better big men in the league. But by his standards, he is not having a very good season.

Eric Gordon: His best season as a pro is being overshadowed by the emergence of Blake Griffin.

Winner: Kevin Love

Rookie of the Year

John Wall: Wall has re-energized this Wizards franchise, so much so that Agent Zero might want to come along for the ride. But, he has already missed seven games so far this season.

Blake Griffin: Every play Griffin makes drops your jaw to the floor and he has given Clipper Nation something to look foward to. Well, if you can forget about the health issues, bad contracts, and of course the best owner in the league, Donald Sterling.

DeMarcus Cousins: The talent is there, but the maturity is not. He needs to work on his shot selection.

Landry Fields: Give the Knicks credit; everyone else missed out on this kid. I love the way he impacts games without scoring and he is the best rebounding guard in the league. 

Eric Bledsoe: Bledsoe played well in Davis' absence. This is a young player with a bright future.

Winner: Blake Griffin

Coach of the Year

Gregg Popovich: The Spurs are off to their best 23 game start in franchise history, while their franchise player has taken more of a supporting role.

Mike D'Antoni: The Knicks are playing an exciting brand of basketball and they are finally winning. I haven't heard The Garden cheering that loud for the home team since Sprewell left.

Rick Carlise: Carlisle deserves a ton of credit for holding his team accountable on the defensive end, just the way Avery Johnson did.

Tom Thibodeau: He has made this Bulls team tougher. Rose has the athleticism to be a great defender and because of Thibodeau, Rose is more committed to the defensive end.

Doc Rivers: After a heart breaking NBA Finals Game Seven loss last year, Doc Rivers has this team focused, as evidenced by their 19-4 start.

Winner: Gregg Popovich