Best in the League

It's been an excellent season. The Playoffs have gotten off to a great start. Let's hand out some hardware:

Coach of the Year: 1) Tom Thibodeau (CHI): He's coached the team with the best record in the NBA (62-20). He's exceeded all expectations and he's brought a winning attitude from Boston that has stuck with his players. Thibodeau is very deserving of this award in a year where many coaches were deserving, but he's made such a big impact coaching his first season that he receives this award.

2) Gregg Popovich (SAS): When I gave Pops the award in the middle of the season, the Spurs had the best record in the NBA. However, now I know why Gregg Popovich never wins the award. It's because he has stuck to his plan of resting all his starters for the last month of the season, and this year was no exception. The Spurs still finished with the second best record in the NBA but they're decline and injuries towards the end of the season cost Pops this award.
 

3) George Karl (DEN): I'd really like to give this award to Coach Karl because he has worked wonders with all the transition he's had to deal with this season. While he had Carmelo, the Nuggets were winning, and when Melo was traded, the Nuggets were supposed to fall off immensely. Instead, the Nuggets have been one of the best second half teams in the NBA (18-7) and could give a good scare to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first round of the Playoffs. He's had to deal with the most change amongst all coaches and he's done an excellent job.

Most Improved Player: 1) Kevin Love (MIN): I talk about Kevin Love way too much and anyone that reads the blog should already know, "I love Kevin Love!!!" So all I will say is 20 & 15, 53 straight double-doubles, and cologne?

2) LaMarcus Aldridge (POR): This guy right here in my opinion is the second most underrated power forward in the NBA behind Zach Randolph. His numbers were at a career best (22 & 9) and with the knee injuries that plagued Brandon Roy, Aldridge has asserted himself as the leader of the team. He's led his team to the sixth seed in the West for the Playoffs and he's the runner up for Most Improved Player.


3) Dorell Wright (GSW): Career bests in every statistical category, the Warrior's single-season record holder for most threes made, and he led the NBA in threes made this year (194), Dorell Wright had an excellent season. For his talent, it was just a matter of getting minutes to display it. He did that this year and he's asserted himself as one of the better small forwards in the league. If he had played for a winning team and Kevin Love didn't have an amazing season, Dorell could have won this award. Nonetheless, great season. 

 Rookie of the Year: 1) Blake Griffin (LAC): After missing his first year, Blake Beast was worth the wait. He was spectacular from his first game of the season to his last and really, what hasn't already been said about him? I'm speechless. Enjoy the video!

2) John Wall (WSH): I said it in the Midseason Award post and I'll say it again, if this wasn't Blake Griffin's "rookie season" John Wall would have won the award. He had solid numbers all year and finished the season with a prelude of what to expect in the future. I still believe that he will be a superstar in this league and in two years, we might be talking about a season by Wall comparable to this year's MVP. Dougie King!


3) DeMarcus Cousins (SAC): Call him a cry baby, call him a malcontent, call him lazy, but DeMarcus Cousins still had an excellent rookie campaign. Averaging 14 & 9, this is a young big that I think can be a force in the league for years. He has so much raw talent and he's very skilled for a guy with a  6'11, 270 body frame. If he continues to work hard, the game will come real easy for Mr. Cousins.

 Sixth Man of the Year: 1) Lamar Odom (LAL): If you put Lamar Odom on 29 other teams in the NBA, he would most likely be that team's starting power forward. Instead of whining about his role, Mr. Kardashian has had a wonderful season coming off the Laker bench and he's probably been the most consistent player on his team besides Potty Mouth Bryant. LO hasn't had a season like this since 2007, and with superb play, it has officially earned him the Sixth Man of the Year today.


2) Jason Terry (DAL): He hits clutch threes and he's basically a starter that doesn't start. He's in the discussion every year for this award and he's a dirty player, that is all.

3) Jamal Crawford (ATL): 14 & 3, nothing special. He's basically third because I couldn't think of anyone else. Sorry...

Defensive Player of the Year: 1) Dwight Howard (ORL): Dwight Howard seems to win this award every season (3rd straight) and there really is no one like him in the league today that can change the course of a game defensively. No Dikembes, Ben Wallaces, or Bruce Bowens exist in the league anymore. Dwight officially won this award yesterday and there is no one else that deserves it more, congrats Superman.

2) Tyson Chandler (DAL): He gave the Mavericks a little toughness in the post and that's a big deal for Dallas. His numbers on defense aren't great, but it's the effect he's had on his team's overall defense that matters, and because he plays the middle for this team, the Mavericks aren't as soft anymore.


3) Andrew Bogut (MIL) / Kevin Garnett (BOS): If this award was given simply on statistics, then Andrew Bogut would be the winner. However, his team hasn't been that great this year defensively and although Bogut averages around 3 blocks a game and 11 boards it won't get him an award, but follow him on Twitter. He's a funny guy.
As for KG, I still think he's the best on-ball post defender in the NBA. However I also think his defensive prowess was more superior due to having Kendrick Perkins by his side. Without Perks, KG isn't as effective of a defender, but overall, I still don't think any big wants to be checked by DMX.

Most Valuable Player: 1) Derrick Rose (CHI): It was only a matter of time before Derrick Rose took over the league and became the best point guard in the NBA. I don't think anyone expected it this soon, but it was going to happen. The scary thing is that he's only going to get better. Before the season began, I recall him saying that he didn't think there was anything stopping him from being the best player in the league and he's on that path with his first MVP award. This man is an evolution in the new point guard and in the words of my "favorite" commentator, Stacey King, Mr. Rose is just "too big, too strong, too fast, too good."

2) Dwight Howard (ORL): At the beginning of the season, I gave Dwight a lot of crap for not developing much offensively throughout his career and I felt like he didn't have that "it" to be an alpha dog in this league. However he has proven me wrong. Dwight's added a bank shot and softer touch in the post to his offensive repertoire and his defense remains at league's best. Along with the growth in his game, he's had to deal with the roster overhaul and he's put the team on his shoulders and carried them. The Bulls and D-Rose's amazing season were the only things stopping him from winning this award.


3) LeBron James (MIA): I'm pretty sure he's actually really bummed to not win this award, but for LBJ when he signed with the Heat, personal awards were thrown out of the window, and the only thing that should matter to LeBron is winning championships. Regardless of not receiving this award, he's still the best talent in the league, he's still the most difficult player to defend, and he still puts up amazing numbers. LeBron should still be hungry for  personal achievements however and if he carries his team through the Playoffs, he can win the ultimate awards, a Finals MVP and the Larry O'Brien trophy.