NBA Awards

-Keefe

Just a couple of games left in the NBA season, so let’s give out some awards. I’ll take you though my picks for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, 6th man, Rookie, also the All-NBA teams 1st-3rd, and the five best rookies from this season. Look for a complete playoff preview to come soon, but for now, on to the awards…

MVP- Steve Nash
Phoenix (18.8 ppg., 11.6 apg., 3.5 rpg., 53.4% FG, 46.3% 3FG) Nash has put together another fantastic season. He is at the same points per game as he was last season, and just ahead of his assist numbers from two years ago, both which resulted in the MVP award. His field goal percentage and three point shooting are both career highs for the Canadian who is looking to become just the fourth player in league history to win three straight MVP awards. Dirk, the best player on the best team (record wise), and Kobe will challenge Nash, but when it’s all said and done I’m voting for Nash. (Note: I don’t have an actual vote.)

Defensive Player of the Year- Marcus Camby
Denver (11.2 ppg., 11.7 rpg., 3.3 bpg., 1.24 spg.) Camby leads the league in blocks per game and is second in defensive rebounding. Iverson and Carmelo get all the credit for the Nuggets turning it on and clinching the 6th seed out West, but it’s been Camby’s defense that’s helped carry this squad. He is averaging 4.8 blocks a night this month, highlighted by 9 rejections against the Hornets less than week ago. Denver needs Camby, they were 4-6 without him in the lineup, and all four wins came against non-playoff teams, including three of the bottom four clubs in the league. An impressive 28 times this season Camby cleared 10+ Defensive rebounds. Shawn Marion is another guy who I could see in the running for this award. The Matrix can guard just about everyone, and on some nights has to do just that.

6th Man of the Year- Leandro Barbosa
Phoenix (18.1 ppg., 4 apg., 2.6 rpg.) Barbosa is the clear favorite this season for 6th man of the year. Out of the 78 games he has currently played in, 60 times he came off the Suns’ bench. He can run the point to give Nash a breather, but can be even more effective playing along side my MVP choice. Solid outside shooter (over 43% from 3), and besides T.J. Ford, the fastest guy with the ball, gets to the hoop with speed and ease. Manu Ginobili has made a case for himself after moving to the bench. He’s started 36 of the 75 games he’s played in, making him eligible for this award. His numbers are all solid, (16.5 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 3.5 apg.) but Barbosa’s are better, plus Manu started twice as many games as Leandro. Jerry Stackhouse will get some votes as well, showing that the three best 6th men are on the three best teams. Coincidence?

Rookie of the Year- Brandon Roy
Portland (16.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4 apg.) The 6th pick in this past year’s draft, Minnesota traded him that night to Portland. He has been head and shoulders above every other rookie this season. (1st amongst rookies in points, 7th in rebounds, 1st in assists, 2nd in steals, and 1st in 3FG%.) This won’t even be close. I can’t think of another rookie who deserves a first place vote. With Roy, Aldridge, Jack, and Randolph, Portland has a solid young nucleus if they can keep them all together. The Trail Blazers didn’t win much this season, but Roy should win the ROY unanimously.


All- NBA 1st Team

Steve Nash- (18.8 ppg., 11.6 apg., 3.5 rpg., 53.4% FG)
Dirk Nowitzki- 24.6 ppg., 8.9 rpg., 3.4 apg., team = best record)
Kobe Bryant- (31.5 ppg., 5.7 rpg., 5.4 apg., 1.45 spg.)
Tracy McGrady- (24.4 ppg., 6.4 apg., 5.2 rpg.)
Chris Bosh- (22.6 ppg., 10.8 rpg., 2.5 apg., 1.3 bpg.)

Already said a lot about Nash in the MVP section, so let’s look at the four guys who join him on the All- NBA 1st team.
Nowitzki leads the 66 win (2 games remaining) Dallas Mavericks who are primed to make a return trip to the NBA finals. Dirk is receiving a lot of attention for MVP, and could very well win it. Just under 25 points and 9 rebounds a night the sweet shooting German has set himself in the games elite the past few seasons. A deadly shooter, and impossible match up on defense, Dirk is a no brainer for the 1st team.
Kobe has put up unthinkable numbers once again this season, and has the Lakers in the playoffs. 10 games with at least 50 points. (He has 1 more game, wouldn’t be surprised if that number went up to 11.) Leads the league in scoring, obviously, but his rebounds and assists are strong as well. Who else would you want taking a game winner?
T- Mac will once again try to advance in the playoffs this year. Unfortunately for him his Rockets play in the West and have some teams ahead of them in the standings. Three teams have better records, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio. Utah currently has the 4th seed, because of their division, but Houston could have home court in that great 4 v. 5 first round match up. McGrady and Yao certainly are one of the best 1-2 punches in the league, and T-Mac himself one of the most versatile.
Chris Bosh is the main reason that the Raptors have gone from 27-55 last season to currently 47-33 and Atlantic Division winner. Toronto will be the 3rd seed in the East, and behind Bosh has a great chance to make it to the NBA finals. Career highs in both points and rebounds, Bosh has proved to be another fantastic player from the 2003 draft.


All- NBA 2nd Team

Gilbert Arenas- (28.4 ppg., 6 apg., 4.6 rpg., 1.88 spg.)
LeBron James- (27.5 ppg., 6.8 rpg., 6 apg., 1.62 spg.)
Kevin Garnett- (22.4 ppg., 12.8 rpg., 4.1 apg., 1.66 bpg.)
Carlos Boozer- (21 ppg., 11.8 rpg., 3 apg., 55.8% FG)
Vince Carter- (25.2 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 4.7 apg.)

It’s a shame Agent Zero is going to miss the playoffs due to injury. One of the most exciting players in the game to watch, listen to, and even read. Another blogger! 3rd in the NBA in points per game, and T-15th in assists, the Wizards now have ZERO chance without him.
King James could be on the first team, but as a forward Dirk and T-Mac I felt were more deserving. Has better numbers than McGrady, but playing in the East he faced weaker competition night in and night out. The rest of the Cavs will hop on Lebron’s back for another playoff run.
Garnett is the first, er, only player on the first three All-NBA teams to not be headed for the playoffs. But his numbers, (22-13-4) make him a mainstay. Who wouldn’t want to see this guy on a contender?
Boozer has bounced back from an injury riddled 2005-2006, where he started just 19 games, and the Jazz went 41-41. This season, (with 2 games left) they are 49-31 and division champions. Boozer has started all 72 games he has played, and averages more points (21) than Duncan, Amare, and Dwight Howard, also more boards (11.8) than Duncan, Amare, Camby, Dirk, Bosh, and Yao Ming. He also ranks 6th in the league in field goal percentage (55.8), that’s better than Duncan, Brand, Yao, Marion. The Jazz will be a fun team to watch this playoffs.
Vince put up great numbers once again, and in a contract year. The Nets will try to get to .500 in their last game of the season. They are in the playoffs, but despite great seasons out of Carter and Kidd don’t look to be threats in the East. Might be done in New Jersey after the post season but I think another team will gladly take 25-6-5.


All- NBA 3rd Team

Shawn Marion- (17.5 ppg., 9.9 rpg., 1.95 spg., 1.54 bpg.)
Marcus Camby- (11.2 ppg., 11.7 rpg., 3.3 bpg., 3.2 apg.)
Tim Duncan- (20 ppg., 10.6 rpg., 3.4 apg., 2.4 bpg.)
Allen Iverson- (26.3 ppg., 7.3 apg., 3 rpg., 1.88 spg.)
Jason Kidd- (13.1 ppg., 9.2 apg., 8.2 rpg., 1.6 spg.)

Huge fan of Shawn Marion. The Suns are the most exciting team to watch in the NBA, and Marion is a huge reason why. Sure Nash makes the team go, and Amare leads the team in points, even a guy off the bench scores more points than Marion, but he means so much to this teams success. Nearly 18 points a night without a single play called for him. He leads the team in rebounding, as a 6’7’’ power forward in the West. He ranks 6th in the league in steals, 8th in rebounds, and he’s top 20 in blocks, field goal %, and minutes. The Matrix also has 37 double doubles (at time this was written), which is good enough for 11th most in the league.
I mentioned Camby’s importance in the D-player of the year section. Ben Wallace made a number of All-NBA teams (5) and never once average double digit points. Maybe Camby isn’t quite as dominant on the defensive end (arguably), but at least on offense it’s not four on five. All those double doubles and leading the league in block shots, should be good enough for this former Minuteman to make an All-NBA team.
Had to have a Spur on the list right? Duncan doesn’t wow you with his by the book, fundamentals, but another 20-10 season, while playing on the third best team in the West has to earn you a spot on this list.
Iverson’s points have dropped off a bit after getting traded to the Nuggets, but now he’s on a contender. Playing both the point, and off the ball while Blake runs the offense Iverson seems to be clicking with his new team. Denver is the 6th seed, and could give the Spurs a heck of a series. For the year AI is over 26 points, 7 assists, as well as 1st in minutes averaging 42.7 a night.
Kidd came close to averaging a triple double for the season. His 12 triple doubles led the league… by far. There was a total of 18 triple doubles by the rest of the league combined, while Kidd had 12 of his own. What more can I say?


Honorable Mentions

Deron Williams- (16.4 ppg., 9.4 apg.)
Carmelo Anthony- (29.1 ppg., 6 rpg.)
Amare Stoudemire- (20.3 ppg., 9.7 rpg.)
Dwight Howard- (17.8 ppg., 12.3 rpg.)
Dwayne Wade (27.8 ppg., 7.6 apg.), Michael Redd (26.7 ppg.), Paul Pierce (25 ppg., 5.9 rpg., 4.1 apg.), and Yao Ming (24.9 ppg., 9.4 rpg.)- Last four guys probably would have made one of the top 3 teams if they played more games. Wade certainly deserving of an All-NBA team, but missing 30 games, I didn’t think he should make it over the other players on the list.


All- Rookie Team

Brandon Roy- Portland (16.8 ppg., 4.4 rpg., 4 apg.)
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Rudy Gay- Memphis (11 ppg., 4.5 rpg.)
Andrea Bargnani- Toronto (11.5 ppg., 3.9 rpg.)
LaMarcus Aldridge- Portland (9 ppg., 5 rpg., 1.2 bpg.)
Paul Millsap- Utah (6.6 ppg., 5.1 rpg.)

Roy leads a mediocre rookie class. Redick and Morrison received all the attention in college, and both supplied a sub par first season. Morrison was second amongst rookies in scoring (11.9 ppg.), but his AND-1 like defense and shaky shooting (37.6% FG, 33.7% 3FG.) resulted in a disappointing year in Charlotte. Out of the five guys I did pick for my all- rookie squad two are on playoff teams. Bargnani, the 1st pick in the draft, has helped turn around a Raptors team and win the Atlantic Division, while Millsap, a 2nd round pick, comes off the bench for one of the best teams in the league. The other three players, all lottery picks, have been bright spots on bad teams.

Final season statistics will vary slightly as each team has one or two games left to play at the time this was written. If you think I’ve left someone great off the list (which is probably the case), or you’d give the awards to a different guy, please leave a comment or send an e-mail to sportsbrief@gmail.com. NBA playoff preview to come soon.

-Rich Keefe