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.

Playoff Previews: Round 1

It's been a really, really long time since my last post. Very sorry about that. I've been quite preoccupied with a lot of different things. With the 2010 - 2011 closing up, we're gonna preview the first round match-ups of the playoffs and how everything might turn out.

Western Conference

1) San Antonio Spurs vs. 8) Memphis Grizzlies

Despite the Spurs struggle as of late, they'll still pull through one way or another. If that means going back to relying on the Big Fundamental, then so be it. They've been too good for too long for a team like Memphis to just come in and beat the team in a 7 game series. Even if Manu watches the first round from the bench, the Spurs should have enough experience and depth to get past the Grizzlies and get to that second round.

Final Count: 4 - 1 : Spurs

2) Los Angeles Lakers vs. 7) New Orleans Hornets

All eyes in the West are on Kobe and the Lake squad. Kobe's been to the playoffs a countless number of times. There's just no way that he doesn't move past this first round. Even with that said, Chris Paul is still capable of destroying a team. But...with Phil retiring at the end of the season, Kobe's going to do everything he can to get that 6th ring to tie with the G.O.A.T. With Pau Gasol, Kobe's been to the NBA's highest stage for the past 3 years winning the last two. It would only be fitting if Kobe gets that 6th, just saying.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Lakers

3) Dallas Mavericks vs. 6) Portland Trail Blazers

To me, this is the most interesting match-up in the first round of the Western Conference. Maybe even the whole first round. Portland has been playing well even with all the damage done to their team with injuries (Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, Wesley Matthews). Dirk and the Mavs have been plagued the past few seasons with first and second round exits. Luckily for Mark Cuban, the big German feels that the team he's playing with this season is better than any team he's played with ('06 Finals included). Despite Portland's terrific performance on the court this year, without a healthy Brandon Roy, I just don't see the Blazers going as far as they would like.

Final Count: 4 - 3: Mavs

4) Oklahoma City Thunder vs. 5) Denver Nuggets

Oklahoma City is on the rise. With Durant and Westbrook leading the Thunder, I don't really see any chance of an upset here. The Thunder are too good and too deep for these Denver Nuggets. However, I do applaud the Nuggets on a job well done without their franchise player, Carmelo Anthony. Much better those other two superstarless teams (i.e. Cleveland Cavaliers, Toronto Raptors).

Final Count: 4 - 2: Thunder

Eastern Conference

1) Chicago Bulls vs. 8) Indiana Pacers

Everyone knew that Derrick Rose would be good, but this soon? The MVP front runner definitely will not disappoint. If anything, he's only going to shut his haters and doubters up with his performance on the court. The other five times the Bulls had a 60-win season, they were all capped off with a nice championship. With Danny Granger not producing like we've become accustomed to over the past two years. This season, everyone won't only be watching Kobe and LeBron, cause Derrick Rose'll be there too. All I can really say is to get a broom.

Final Count: 4 - 0: Bulls

2) Miami Heat vs. 7) Philadelphia 76ers

LeBron and company are looking for their first knockout together since that infamous summer that we all remember so well. The Heat are coming in hot. With late wins in the season, they snatched that second seed right from Boston. The 76ers really don't fit into the grand scheme of things in the chase for that ring. They're like that little kid that gets picked on. You kinda feel sorry for them, but there's just no way that they're going to get to that second round. I'm sorry to write you off like this Philly, but... I know you probably don't think you can beat the Heat either.

Final Count: 4 -1: Heat

3) Boston Celtics vs. 6) New York Knicks

An old rivalry is renewed in this series of 7. Both teams really haven't been doing well lately. With Perk gone, the Celtics just aren't the same team that's been together for the past three seasons. For the Knicks, this is a very good thing, but the thing is that they haven't exactly been looking like anything special since that Carmelo trade and the break. The New York faithful have been watching a team that's 11 - 12 since March. Rondo and the Celtics have been through a lot of ups and downs this season. Starting off very well with Rondo setting the assists' record through the first five games and finishing the season losing the second seed in a loss to Miami, a team they beat the first three times they met. The Celtics are going to have to depend on the now-brittle Shaq and Jermaine for some help down low, but I think they'll put it out in 6.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Celtics

4) Orlando Magic vs. 5) Atlanta Hawks

I really think that Orlando was a better team with Vince Carter than with Gilbert Arenas, but Orlando hasn't been depending on Gil like they did Vince. Dwight Howard has made vast improvements on his post game, and averaged a career-high 22.9 points per game. To me, Atlanta really hasn't improved much over the past few seasons. They're the same exact team they were last season. Orlando beat Atlanta last year, and they'll do it again this year.

Final Count: 4 - 2: Magic

10 Things: Playoff Preview

It's been awhile since we've posted one of these. College basketball has taken my basketball interest the last month, but I'll try to shake off the rust. Back to the professionals and the playoffs are about a week away:

10) Help is on the way?: Before I get back to the men who get paid to play the game, the focus begins on the prospects who will soon get paid to play the game, like the beast pictured above. This is a pretty weak draft class, considered one of the worst in years, and it's quite evident by 4 European players being in the top 10. One wasn't even allowed to play for Kentucky this year, and I just don't like the Euros. They usually don't succeed, except for Action Dirk. I really don't blame a lot of the college players for staying in college either (Jared Sullinger) because who really wants to play for the Cavaliers or Raptors? As for the players that will be in the draft, there are a few that will benefit off a weak class (Kemba Walker <3, Jimmer Fredette) and there are a couple guys that I feel will be really solid NBA players (Brandon Knight, Terrence Jones, Kawhi Leonard, & Chris Singleton). However I only see three potential stars in this draft (Derrick Williams, Kyrie Irving, & Perry Jones).

9) The Grizzly Grind: The Grizzlies have had one nationally-televised game all season, they're superstar is out for the season, his supposed sidekick has flamed out, and their 2nd pick in the draft last season was traded at the deadline. Yet I'm talking about the eighth-seeded team in the Western Conference. These Grizzlies have been one of the biggest surprises of the season, Lionel Hollins deserves a lot of credit, and I personally feel they've been under the radar all year. What makes them work? A grind-out style and good defense true to the character of the roster. Zach Randolph is one of the best power forwards in the NBA that no one respects, Mike Conley is living up to expectations and Tony Allen is having a career year, don't let the stats fool you. They also get contributions from guys like Shane Battier, Darrell Arthur, Sam Young, and the other Gasol brother. This team really isn't much to watch but they've earned their success and it's nice to see them in the playoffs again.

8) Philly Fun: The bottom feeders of the Eastern Conference are always a joke because under .500 can still mean a playoff birth and for the Philadelphia 76ers that's good enough for the 7th, maybe even the 6th seed in the conference. However, I'm not going to take away from the improvement of this team under Doug Collins. Doug Collins turns teams around. He has always done that his first season coaching a new team. As for the team, I'm not too thrilled with them, but they do have a lot of depth and the ultimate poor man's LeBron James. I really like their point guards, Jrue Holiday and Louis Williams, and it's great to see the resurgence of Elton Brand, who gets a lot of crap for his ridiculous contract. Other than that, this team is not very fun to watch, and they're really not that good. They made the playoffs though, congratulations Philly, Will Smith is somewhere smiling.

7) Broken but Still Buzzing:  From watching the NBA the last few years, I've learned one thing about the New Orleans Hornets. Never doubt the capabilities of Chris Paul. I am willing to give the "Best point guard of the NBA" tag to that guy running the show in Chicago, but Chris Paul even with declining numbers is still in the discussion. He makes his teammates better and gets the most out of all their skills. For the playoffs, he'll need to continue that and put the team on his shoulders after losing his "safety blanket" for this season and possibly a majority of next season. Acquiring Carl Landry may now be one of the biggest trades of the deadline and Ariza and Okafor will need to pick up their play if they even want to compete. The goal for the final games of the season is to get that 6th seed and avoid the Lakers. The one thing I can guarantee you from this team is that CP3 will be ready and he'll put on a show when it matters. I cannot wait.   

6) The Portland Push: Since the Gerald Wallace trade at the deadline, the Blazers have been playing some quality hoop. Playing with a smaller lineup has seemed to work and the depth of this team is one of the best in the league. Before their embarrassing loss to the Warriors on Tuesday, the Blazers had won eight straight at home and had quality wins against the Spurs, Thunder, and Mavs. With a potential series against the Mavs in the first round, the Blazers do have a chance to advance to the second round especially with the match-up problem LaMarcus Aldridge presents. I'm not the biggest fan of the Blazers, but it pains me to see how good this team could really be if knee injuries didn't take away Brandon Roy's promising career at only 26 (in my opinion the third best shooting guard in the league before injuries), and Greg Oden's potential. With that being said, they're still no joke and can make noise come April 16th.

 
5) Maverick Mystery: Isn't that lady pictured above gorgeous? Well that my friends is J.J. Barea's girlfriend and former Miss Universe 2006. I don't understand how foreign backup point guards in the NBA do it, but they do it and it enrages me, but that's besides the point. J.J. Barea's team is the focus, I'm sorry I mean Dirk Nowitzki's team is the focus and they're heading into their most hated time of the year, the playoffs. I think any NBA fan knows that besides 2006, the Mavs choke in the playoffs every year. This year's team is pretty good though and they can compete with any team in the league. They're very experienced and they have the German, but I just don't see them getting past the second round because they're soft, they're always soft, and they're led by the German, which is actually a bad thing too because he's soft. Then again this team can surprise and that is why they remain a mystery till the playoffs are in action.

4) Thunder Rolling: I don't really want to boast about my Thunder playing well, but they're playing pretty well. Kendrick Perkins is fitting in perfectly and Serge Ibaka has embraced the starting power forward position perfectly. I've gotten past the overhype of this team because they're actually living up to it and a lot of analysts are willing to say this is the second best team in the West. I really like their chances if they have to play the battered Spurs in the second round, but I'm very concerned about those new Nuggets in the first round, but that should be one hell of a series. I'm positive KD and Russ will be ready when the playoffs start.   


3) Bashful Bulls: The Chicago Bulls are certainly not. This is the team that everybody is talking about and the team with the league's MVP. They deserve all the attention and they deserve all the credit for being the best team in the NBA this season. They play basketball the way it should be played, beating the bad teams by a ton, and finding ways to beat the elites of the league as well. Tom Thibodeau is the coach of the year and they will certainly give the Heat or Celtics a run for their money in the East. They will be the one seed in the East and they will be very dangerous. They've beaten the C's pretty bad this year, but I'm not willing to give them the edge just yet because you can never discredit playoff experience, and until I see the Bulls play a round of playoff basketball together, I'm not completely sold.

 2) Better Off Without You: The Denver Nuggets since the Carmelo Anthony trade have become my third favorite team in the NBA. Their 15-5 since the trade and they are quite a joy to watch. What has been the key to their success? Defense. Yes, the Denver Nuggets are playing defense with an emphasis of team basketball. Their leader is Kenyon Martin and their superstar is by committee each night. Aaron Afflalo, Nene, Ty Lawson, Raymond Felton, Wilson Chandler, Al Harrington, Danilo Gallinari, and J.R. Smith have all had games where they became the focal point of the offense. Their chemistry is amazing thanks to George Karl's excellent coaching, and I hate how they most likely will have to play the Thunder in the first round.Win or lose, they'll certainly provide playoff excitement.

As for that other team involved in the trade, the expectations were for the New York Knicks to secure a top four seeding in the East for the playoffs, but that has not been the case. Instead, the Knicks are playing .500 basketball since acquiring Carmelo (12-12) and are fighting to secure the sixth seed from the Philadelphia 76ers. The all important chemistry is lacking and Carmelo and Amare do not seem to play well together. The ball sticks too much, and Mike D'Antoni's teams never play defense, but since the trade they actually do not play any defense at all. The team lacks depth and besides the recent play of Toney Douglas, no one else besides Stat, Melo, and Chauncey have shown up. I didn't expect the Knicks to be title contenders this season anyways, and this is all a prequel to what lies ahead. So for the Knicks to even be back in the playoffs and to acquire their franchise superstar this season, the Knicks have accomplished plenty this year. They'll be the biggest winner of the trade eventually. Now it's only a matter of when the Knicks' future plans reach fruition.

1) Respect the Vets: All season long, the talk has been of the Miami Heat, the Chicago Bulls, and the rest of the young rising teams in the league that have peaked ahead of schedule. The teams left out of discussion are the veteran teams. The teams who have been there and done that. The reason is because of injuries and lack-luster play as of late, but I'm a firm believer in experience come playoff time and you can never discredit that. Want to doubt Timmy and the Spurs, why don't you ask him and his 4 championship rings if he cares. Down in Socal, I think the best player on the planet is glad to have everyone sleeping on his team because it just adds more fuel to his fire, and the Black Mamba doesn't need extra motivation with Jordan's legacy at his reach. The only team that worries me is the Celtics. They are actually unhealthy and trading Kendrick Perkins is looking like a bigger mistake with each passing day. However, they are the reigning Eastern Conference champions and I still believe they will be playing into June. The veteran teams know when the real season starts. They'll be ready to play, and for those promising young teams to breakthrough, the route is through San Antonio, Boston, and Los Angeles.