And the Winner Is...

Halfway through the season, let's dish out some midseason awards:

Coach of the Year: 1) Gregg Popovich (SAS): As unappealing as the Spurs are and as boring of a team as they are, there is no doubt that Pops is the coach of the year. The Spurs are 36-6 currently and 3.5 games ahead of the Celtics for the best record in the NBA. Surprisingly, Popovich has only won one Coach of the Year award (2003) and he's coached four championship teams. This man really doesn't get the credit he deserves and it's really not fair especially for the brilliance that this man possesses. Is he a jerk? Sure. Does he offer the meanest sound bites in press conferences and interviews? Yeah he does. He's an a-hole. However his coaching cannot be underestimated. He gets the most out of his players (Bruce Bowen, Matt Bonner, Gary Neal, Nazr Mohammed, etc.) and he manages his teams for the long-run and a chance to win a title. Tim Duncan is having the worst season of his career, yet the Spurs keep winning thanks to the other guys (TP, Manu, etc.), a consistent starting lineup (same starting 5 all year), and a more uptempo style. I guess because Popovich has a winning team every year, he gets overlooked, but if the Spurs continue to win the way they currently are, he'll get the recognition he deserves and receive the award for a second time.

2) Tom Thibodeau (CHI): The Bulls are 29-14, 1st in the Central, 3rd in the Eastern Conference, and Thibodeau has had to coach with numerous injuries to his key big men (Noah & Boozer). He has brought the Celtic winning culture with him from Boston and the Bulls look to be a serious contender come playoff time. 

3) Monty Williams (NOH): For a team that has no current owner, a brand new front office, and supposedly worrying about trading a possibly disgruntled Chris Paul by this point of the season, 27-16 and 6th in the Western Conference is a job well done by Monty Williams. In fact, it's a hell of a job. The team started hot at 8-0, and since then have played .500 ball. CP3 looks satisfied for now, Emeka Okafor is having a wonderful season, role players are picking up the slack some nights, and a good amount of the credit goes to Williams. Being Nate McMillan's top assistant in Portland, Williams is now proving himself to be a good up-and-coming head coach in the NBA.

Honorable Mention: Mike D'Antoni (NYK), Rick Carlisle (DAL), & Larry Drew (ATL) 

Most Improved Player: 1) Kevin Love (MIN): I'm not really going to say much about Kevin Love because if you've read any of the basketball posts in the past, you know I <3 Kevin Love. Nine more minutes per game this year for the big guy equals 21 & 16 compared to 14 & 11 last season, and 29 straight double-doubles. Kevin Love really isn't improved, he's just been finally given adequate playing time and proving his amazing skills, but still, he's most deserving of this award so far.

2) Michael Beasley (MIN) & Eric Gordon (LAC):  This one is a tie because both men are doing work considerably in the scoring area of their game, both increasing their scoring average by 6 from last season. For Beasley, he's finally comfortable being the go-to guy in Minnesota. As for Gordon, his game isn't different, but he just looks more confident when he plays and he puts on a show, playing for the best worst team in the NBA.

Honorable Mention: Raymond Felton (NYK), Russell Westbrook (OKC), Wesley Matthews (POR), & Dorell Wright (GSW)

Rookie of the Year: 1) Blake Griffin (LAC): Is there really any doubt that Blake Beast is the rookie of the year? If I could use one word to describe the talent and explosiveness he plays with, it would be... supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? His streak of 27 straight double-doubles ended last night, 22 & 13, and he's a rookie? Astounding. If he wasn't on a losing team and say the Clippers were .500, he would strongly be considered an MVP candidate. If he works on his mid-range game and post skills, not just trying to dunk on everyone, in a couple years he could average 30 & 15 and it's not crazy.

2) John Wall (WAS): He started the season hot (triple-double in his sixth career game, an almost triple-double his third career game), but then injuries kicked in and slowed down his play. His numbers are still pretty solid for a rookie, 15 & 9, but it's not even close to Blake's monstrous numbers. John Wall will still be a superstar in this league, he is the dougie king, and he has his own song and dance that all athletes imitate, so things are pretty good for Wall anyways. If Blake had played last year, Wall would most likely be the ROY, too bad though.

3) DeMarcus Cousins (SAC): DeMarcus has actually been pretty consistent all season. He's averaging 13 & 8, and recently he's been playing even better. He doesn't lack confidence and he definitely plays with and has an attitude that is sometimes disruptive to his team. However, if he keeps his temper in check, he can be an excellent player in this league for a long time.

Honorable Mention: Landry Fields (NYK), Gary Neal (SAS), & Greg Monroe (DET)

Sixth Man of the Year: 1) Jamal Crawford (ATL): Jamal won this award last year and in my opinion he's ahead of the second place man slightly. The reason he wins this award at this point of the season is because he consistently does what he's asked of off the bench which is score and keep scoring. Averaging 16 & 3.5 off the bench is pretty solid, and when you have a crossover like this, you can have the award.

2) Glen Davis (BOS): Big Baby has really improved his game this year and his numbers certainly prove it. He has been excellent for the Celtics all season, filling in for an injured Shaq or KG when need be, and playing his role to perfection. His scoring is up, his rebounding is up and he has a really nice mid-range jumper now. I feel like he is very deserving of the award, but when you do this in your free time, you lose.

3) Jason Terry (DAL): If the season were to end today, I wouldn't be shocked to see the Jet win this award. The Mavericks were winning until recently and Terry was super clutch for his team. However he won't win this award because the Mavericks need him in the starting lineup for offensive production, now that Caron Butler is out for the season.

Honorable Mention: Tyrus Thomas (CHA), Louis Williams (PHI), Ty Lawson (DEN)

Defensive Player of the Year: 1) Kevin Garnett (BOS): Ok, Kevin Garnett is not the most likable player in the NBA. He's a bully. He likes to make fun of people with cancer, which is actually not funny, and he gets under the skin of all players on purpose, especially European players, occasionally initiating unnecessary contact after the whistle is blown. Even though he is a big jerk, one thing that cannot be disregarded is his play on the defensive end of the floor. He is the best defender in the league period. He locks down opposing post players and is an amazing help defender as well. That presence was quite evident in his game-clinching steal on MLK day against the Magic. When KG is on the floor his defensive presence is always felt and his numbers don't do him justice for the defender he truly is. KG is a great player and he's having a great season. His injuries may be the one thing preventing him from winning this award. I just wish he would go back to the more likable star he was back in Minnesota...

2) Andrew Bogut (MIL): Personally in my opinion, I have always felt that Bogut is underrated, very underrated. He's super skilled and a wonderful passer, and a MAN for coming back from a horrid broken arm so soon. He was the 1st pick in 2005 and I guess a lot of people expected him to be an elite superstar, but Bogut is an all-star caliber player and his numbers are solid. The thing that stands out this season are his defensive numbers. He leads the league in blocks with about 3 per game and he grabs around 12 boards a game as well. Those are quite impressive and good enough to land him 2nd. People need to watch the Aussie play to truly enjoy and respect his game.

3) Dwight Howard (ORL): He might actually be the true front-runner to win this award, but with a change in style of play on his team and his defensive numbers not as great as last season, it's time for Dwight to share this award.

Honorable Mention: Josh Smith (ATL), Chris Paul (NOH), LeBron James (MIA)

Most Valuable Player: 1) Derrick Rose (CHI): This pick is seriously no bull. In just his third season in the league he has become in the words of Charles Barkley, "The best point guard in the NBA" and in Josh's and my opinion, the best player in the league, this season. Kobe Bryant is still the best player on the planet, but for this NBA season, Derrick Rose is doing work. Just coming off his first triple-double, Rose has been playing excellent basketball all year and it's not really improvement but rather taking on greater responsibility and asserting himself as the star of the team and the league. His team is winning and his teammates are feeding off his energy as well. He's always had the raw talent but now he's putting it together. If he keeps it up, he can very well win this award in a year where the race is wide open.

2) LeBron James (MIA): LeBron simply does not get it. He claims to like being a "villain" yet he can't do it correctly. When he tries to save face, he just comes out looking like a bigger jerk. Some advice Bron Bron, just be a jerk, it's cool, it's acceptable. The league needs more bad guys. Just remember God sees everything. One of LeBron's statements this year that may actually be quite modest is him saying he won't be an MVP this year, but he actually can be. LeBron is having a wonderful season (25,7, & 7) and his Heat are winning (2nd best in the East). He's still the most physically-gifted player in the league and can be whatever player he wants to be, and if LeBron James wants to be the MVP this season, he can damn sure put up the numbers to do it.

3) Amare Stoudemire (NYK): Amare has been wonderful for New York this season, and New York has been wonderful for him. He's putting up career numbers at 26 & 9 and even averaging 3 assists per game. Mike D'Antoni and him get along and he's found a new and younger running mate in Ray Felton. About a month ago, he would've been given this award but recently his team has been slumping despite the fact that he's still putting up his numbers. Amare can still win this award if the Knicks continue to win and either of the two ahead of him slow down their production. Like I said before, this year's race is wide open and in a couple months a new deserving candidate may even emerge.

Honorable Mention: Dirk Nowitzki (DAL), Dwight Howard (ORL), Blake Griffin (LAC)