NBA Predictions: Predicting MVP and Every Award Next Year

An NBA season is a tough one to grind out.

In playing 82 games over the course of six months, a physical toll is taken on all the players who are a part of the association. They need to stay consistent all year long in order to fulfill their goals and wishes.

In doing so and becoming the best, they garner awards. Although winning a title is the ultimate goal of the NBA, it obviously means a lot to the players to take home these honors.

Keeping in mind that I present to you the utmost wishful thinking you'll ever see on this site about the impending lockout, let's get to it.

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MVP: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Now is the time for Kevin Durant.

In my opinion, this guy is the best player in the NBA not named LeBron James, and in clutch situations, no matter how small KD's sampling size is, we'd take the Thunder swingman.

He really has developed into an all-around player since joining the league. He's always been great with his shooting, scoring and leadership abilities, but now he's a solid defensive player and rebounds like LeBron.

At 22 years of age (although he'll up that in September, prior to the season), the Durantula has become a fan favorite (and as a humble superstar, how can he not be?) and a guy that everyone wants to see on any given night.

His arsenal of moves, his almost unmatched leadership and him leading the Oklahoma City Thunder to a 60-win season, thus earning the first seed out in the Western Conference, make him the favorite for 2011-12's Most Valuable Player award.

Honorable Mentions: LeBron James, Miami Heat; Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic; Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls; Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Let's just change this award to the "Dwight Howard Award" so that every year we could give it to the Orlando Magic big.

As humble and fierce as his game is, it's his defensive prowess that brings out the best of him. He's a fun-loving goofball who gets serious as soon as he levels in the air for his fifth block of the game.

Dwight's Florida counterparts, LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, will fight to win this award, but ultimately, they will come up short.

Honorable Mentions: LeBron James, Miami Heat; Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets; Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies; Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat; JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards; Tyson Chandler, ?

Sixth Man of the Year: Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks

Jason Terry was a key factor in the NBA Finals, and whether you like to admit it or not, he dominated the decisive game of the series.

He's a hard-working speed demon with a pull-up to die for, and it's guys like him who have the true grit to help their respective team win ball games.

Terry will win this award with ease next season, while averaging 16 points and four assists per game. He'll also challenge 40 percent from beyond the arc.

Honorable Mentions: Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers; James Harden, Oklahoma City Thunder; Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves; Jamal Crawford, ?; Brandon Roy, Portland Trail Blazers

Rookie of the Year: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Bobcats

Kemba Walker really has the tools of an all-around point guard. He passes solidly, shoots incredibly and defends almost flawlessly.

Aside from his shown skills, Walker has a strong sense of leadership, if that is at all possible at 21 years of age. He was the unquestioned leader during UConn's 2011 NCAA title run.

He will have to overcome some competition at the point, though. D.J. Augustin isn't exactly inept at quarterbacking the Charlotte system, so split time might prevent him from winning this award altogether.

I believe he'll take it, though, but it won't be an easy journey along the way.

Honorable Mention: Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timberwolves; Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors; Jimmer Fredette, Sacramento Kings; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers; Derrick Williams, Minnesota Timberwolves; Enes Kanter, Utah Jazz; Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls

All-NBA Teams

All-NBA First Team

G: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

I believe that Chris Paul is the most well-rounded point guard in the league. He can shoot, steal, pass, and most importantly, quarterback a team. His last season in New Orleans will be a memorable one— well, at least individually—before he gets shipped to a superteam.

G: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Dwyane Wade is the true Batman on the situation that is the Miami Heat. Time and time again, he's been a top-five player in this league. Even after he turns 30 years old, he'll still be amongst that group.

F: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Well, I've already waxed poetically over the 22-year-old, so what else to say? He's a sure-fire first-teamer and a guy who has been loyal to his club. Dare I say he's like Mike in that aspect?

Oh, and because they're both really good, too.

F: LeBron James, Miami Heat

Perhaps the most scrutinized player in NBA history, LeBron James is out to prove his haters wrong about his dismal (fourth quarter) play during June's Finals.

He's the most talented and probably best player in the game today, and his inclusion is necessary.

C: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

The most dominating big man in recent history (a.k.a, Shaq), Dwight Howard is already a top-75 player in NBA history and a top-five one in today's NBA. He'll add a fifth first-team selection to his already stunning resume.

All-NBA Second Team

G: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

G: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

F: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks 

F: Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

C: Amar'e Stoudemire, New York Knicks

All-NBA Third Team

G: Deron Williams, New Jersey Nets

G: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

F: LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trail Blazers

F: Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

C: Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

Honorable Mentions: Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers; Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies; Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns; Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks; Monta Ellis, Golden State Warriors

Coach of the Year: Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers

Nate McMillan and the rest of the Portland Trail Blazers organization have put together a dangerous and formidable lineup.

When the team wins 55 games and earns the third seed in the Western Conference this year, I think everyone will come to the consensus that no one other than Nate can win this award.

He's a smart guy, and he'll do whatever it takes to lead his Blazers to glory.

Runner-up: Mike Brown, Los Angeles Lakers

All-Defensive Teams

All-Defensive First Team

G: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

Aside from being a tremendous shooter and distributor, Chris Paul also doubles as the league's best defending point guard. He should be in jail for theft at this point, judging by how much he's stolen over the course of his career.

No but seriously, this guy is a great lockdown defender.

G: Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies

Kobe Bryant's reign as best shooting guard, both offensively and defensively, has come to an end. Tony Allen is a dominating force out top on D, and we finally were able to see this on a national stage when his Grizzlies upended the Spurs.

F: LeBron James, Miami Heat

Like Chris Paul, LeBron James specializes on both ends of the hardwood. It wasn't especially clear during his first few seasons, but Bron has become one of the most versatile defenders.

He can lockdown on the perimeter as well as anyone, and his size (6'8, 250 pounds) helps him mesh with the best of the bigs.

F: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

And you thought the reign of Kevin Garnett was over! Although he's 34 and slowly diminishing offensively, he still hustles more than any forward in the game.

It's been a thrill to watch KG during his 16-year career, and I believe he'll be a top-20 player of all time when all is said and done.

C: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Superman is the game's best defensive force, bar none. He is simply demonic in the post, swatting every possible shot and playing incredible one-on-one defense.

He is one of the few players in the game today that actually make watching defense fun!

All-Defensive Second Team

G: Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

Rajon Rondo is a phenomenal defensive force, and I believe he'll pick up a fourth All-Defense selection in just his sixth season. 

G: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

If only Tony Allen weren't so good, Dwyane Wade would be apart of the first team for sure.

F: Gerald Wallace, Portland Trail Blazers

The league's most underrated (and perhaps versatile) defender, Gerald Wallace is finally able to display his talents in somewhere other than Charlotte.

F: JaVale McGee, Washington Wizards

Although he's technically a center, it would feel blasphemic to leave JaVale McGee off a defensive list. He anchors the young and extremely athletic Wizards in this aspect.

C: Tyson Chandler, N/A

Tyson Chandler is easily one of the league's best post defenders. Without his prowess and intensity on the glass, would Dallas have won the NBA Finals in June?

Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls; Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks; Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia 76ers (for now); Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks; Joakim Noah, Chicago Bulls; Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls; Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers