NBA Individual Awards: Which Players and Head Coach Deserve To Win?
Figuring out which player and coach should win an award can be tough, but this year most of the decisions are fairly easy. There will be some tough decisions when voting, but one thing is clear—no award for LeBron James. These are predictions for six of the major individual awards for players and head coaches: Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Most Valuable Player.
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin
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Although he’s in his second year in the league, Griffin is considered a rookie because of an injury that cost him all of last season. He’s the sole reason John Wall doesn’t win the award. He’s averaging 22.5 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 3.7 assists per game. He’s shooting 50 percent from the field and was selected to the All-Star team. He’s one of a few reasons to ever attend a lowly Clippers game.
Runner-Up: John Wall (Washington)
Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau
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Tom Thibodeau has done a tremendous job with a team that was reeling after Vinny Del Rio was shortchanged by the Bulls last year. The Bulls only returned four players from last year’s team and completely rebuilt the team via free agency. He’s preached defense and it has the Bulls in the top spot in the East. The Bulls are 58-20 and have the second best record in the league. Before the season began, I would’ve laughed if someone told me Chicago would have the second best record.
Runner-Up: Doug Collins (Philadelphia)
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard
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Dwight Howard might not win the MVP award, but he’s a beast on defense. It’s safe to say Dwight Howard will win this award for the third year in a row. He’s second in rebounds (14.1 rebounds per game) and third in blocks (two per game). He makes players think twice before driving inside, which is what coaches love in a center.
Runner-Up: Andrew Bogut (Milwaukee)
Sixth Man of the Year: Lamar Odom
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Lamar Odom has started 34 games this season, but Laker fans have grown accustomed to it because of Andrew Bynum’s constant injuries. Odom is a solid all-around player for the Lakers. He’s averaging 14.3 points, 8.7 rebounds, and three assists per game. Though he appears lazy at times (such as going up with one hand for rebounds), Odom has been a steady all year for the two-time defending champs. He’s one of the biggest reasons the Lakers stayed afloat during Bynum’s injury.
Runner-Up: Jason Terry (Dallas)
Most Improved Player: Kevin Love
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I have to hand it to Kevin Love. He was an absolute beast this season. Although he averaged 14 points and 11 rebounds last year, he topped it by averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. He tallied 53 consecutive double-doubles, but fell two short of tying Elvin Hayes. Normally, I’d say Dorell Wright should win the award. He’s made the Miami Heat look foolish for letting him go, but there’s no way to justify Love not winning this award.
Runner-Up: Dorell Wright (Golden State)
Most Valuable Player: Derrick Rose
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Have you wondered why the Bulls are the top team in the East despite Joakim Noah (35 games) and Carlos Boozer (24 games) missing extended time this season? Derrick Rose is the reason. He’s carried the team on his back all season and deserves the recognition. At the ripe age of 22, Rose has established himself as the premier point guard in the NBA. He’s improved his game over the offseason and has taken his game to another level Last year, Rose averaged 20.8 points, 6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game. He shot 49 percent from the field, 27 percent from three point range, and 77 percent from the charity stripe. He’s averaging 25.1 points, 7.9 assists, and 4.2 rebounds per game this season. He’s shooting 44 percent from the field, 33 percent from downtown, and 86 percent from the free throw line.
Unlike LeBron James, Rose can be trusted to make the best decision (whether it’s making the shot or kicking it out to an open Kyle Korver) in crunch time. For years, I’ve gripped about Kobe winning only one MVP, but Rose more than deserves the honor this year.
Runner-Up: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Final Thoughts on Players and Coach Who Finished Runner-Up
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Doug Collins deserves serious credit for a resurgent Philadelphia squad that looked completely finished. They are 40-39 with three games remaining in the regular season. I didn't think the 76ers would win 40 games all season. His veteran presence is exactly what the young 76ers team needs.
Andrew Bogut has played nice defense all year for the Bucks. Although they'll miss the playoffs, Bogut has done his share while averaging 12.8 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game. He should be selected to the first team NBA all-defense.
Dorell Wright is having an incredible season for Golden State. He's averaging 16.2 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game while shooting 38 percent from three point range. Technically, he would be considered more of an ideal candidate giving the fact he'd done nothing in the NBA until this point. He averaged 7.9 points per game in the 2007-08 season.
Kobe is definitely in the hunt for MVP. Most people have him fourth behind Dwight Howard and LeBron James. He is averaging 25 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game. His team is on a quest to three peat for the second time in his career.
The problem with the other guys is Howard's team is fourth in the East. Players in the past have been disqualified because of weak team performances. This is the reason Kevin Love hasn't been mentioned in the discussion for MVP. I don't think it's necessarily fair, but it's one of criteria. LeBron James chokes in the clutch. That reason alone disqualifies him as an MVP. It's hard to believe he has more MVPs, but no rings to show for it.
