NBA 2012 Preseason Awards
The NBA season is set to begin on Dec. 25th. The season this year will be shortened from 82 games to 62 games. With the shortened amount of time, teams and players have to elevate their game to another level to be considered for MVP or any individual awards.
Here now are the preseason predictions for the 2012 NBA season.
MVP: Kobe Byrant, Los Angeles Lakers
1 of 5This could ultimately be Kobe's last MVP award. Bryant, who is in the lasting years of his career, will win the MVP in 2012.
Kobe will have to play even better this year than he has before as he has no Lamar Odom and has nobody else behind him that can score at will. The disappointment of not getting Chris Paul will fuel the Black Mamba's motivation.
Kobe will try and upstage the cross-town rival Clippers who have all of a sudden taken the spotlight from the Lakers. Sorry LeBron and D-Rose—don't count out Kobe to suprise everybody this season.
Look for Kobe to have one last breakout season.
Runner up: LeBron James, Miami Heat
Rookie of the Year: Jimmer Fredette, Sacromento Kings
2 of 5Jimmer-mania will hit Sacramento!
First overall pick Kyrie Irving may be a success in Cleveland, but the Rookie of the Year needs to be a player that makes the team that much better.
With Jimmer, the Kings, though probably not a contender, are making strides that are looking good for the future. Jimmer will bring a deep-shooting threat and the ability to score at any given moment, anywhere on the court.
Runner-up: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Defensive Player of the Year: Tyson Chandler, New York Knicks
3 of 5Move over, Dwight Howard—there is a new big man in the Eastern Conference.
Tyson Chandler, who was recently acquired by the New York Knicks, put the Miami Heat big-men on lock-down last year in the NBA Finals.
Chandler, who is paired with Amare Stoudemire down low, will create a defensive wall in the paint. Chandler is not known much for his offensive game, though he has his moments. He will provide the Knicks with a defense presence that they have been lacking in recent years.
Runner up: Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Sixth Man of the Year: J.J. Redick, Orlando Magic
4 of 5Though J.J. Redick goes in and out of the starting rotation, he will still be considered a sixth man. Redick can come off the bench and score points quickly for the Orlando Magic.
Watch out for J.J. Redick to be on fire this year as I feel Dwight Howard will not be in an Orlando Magic uniform for the whole season. As for a spark off the bench, Redick can provide that in an instant as he is able to hit a three from just about anywhere on the court.
Runner up: J.J. Barea, Minnesota timberwolves
Coach of the Year: Monty Williams, New Orleans Hornets
5 of 5The job Monty Williams did last year could have been enough to earn Coach of the Year honors. He took a broken down New Orleans Hornets team and did well in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers.
This year, his job will be even more difficult with no Chris Paul on the roster. I believe that Williams will put a competitive Hornets team together every night to play in the Eastern Conference.
Runner up: Mike D'Antoni, New York Knicks
