MVP:
We all know it's been between two men basically all season but I'll give you top 5 in my opinion then analyze...
2. LeBron James
3. Blake Griffin
4. Stephen Curry
5. Dirk Nowitzki
Now it's a two man race between Durant and LeBron, any right-minded NBA fan knows this. What I'm about to say is what I've said since the All-Star break and I will still hold true to it: LeBron James is the best player in the game however Kevin Durant has had a better season then LeBron James. Both of them have advantages over one another in areas of their game, Durant is a better scorer, LeBron is a better passer but let me say this: The MVP award is awarded to the player who is considered most valuable to their team, now both teams would be nothing without James and Durant and that is clear to see. The key for me in this race is Durant's ability to keep the Thunder in the top 1 or 2 spot in the West(the tougher conference) even though he spent almost the entire first half of the season without his running mate Russell Westbrook. LeBron fans will say But D-Wade only played 53 games this season indeed he did but throughout the season the player that has stepped up the most for the Heat was Chris Bosh and others as well so Lebron had help with Wade gone. What did Durant have besides Serge Ibaka? Very limited resources for the Thunder during Westbrook's absence which was longer than Wade's anyway (He's only played 45 games this season). Now stats time let's compare the two stats wise...
Durant: 31.9 ppg, 5.5 apg, 7.4 rpg with a 50% from the field.
James: 27.1 ppg, 6.4 apg, 6.9 rpg with a 56% from the field.
A clear example of what each player is better at Durant a better scorer, LeBron a better passer, and both are about equal rebounders although Durant does average more than James. The one thing that troubles me about LeBron and the whole Heat team is what I would refer to as an "on/off" switch. If LeBron wants to win MVP he will but it just seemed like he took games off here and there which could have contributed to him winning the award. On the other hand Durant always has his switch turned "on" no off games always comes ready to play which shows me he's ready to take the MVP from LeBron this season. Durant has just been a little better than LeBron throughout the season and I would consider it a travesty if Durant does not win MVP.
My other candidates get the wrong end of the stick on this because Blake Griffin has had easily the best season of his career and puts up MVP type number every night. Steph Curry has thrown his hat in the "elite PG" ring this season and although the rest of the Warriors have struggled throughout the season Curry has been consistent offensively all year. Also the resurgence of Dirk is beyond me, I thought after last season Dirk was on a down-ward turn but no, he has showed this season that the Mavericks would be nothing without him and they might be my sleeper pick come playoff preview time.
Defensive Player of the Year:
1. Joakim Noah
2. Roy Hibbert
3. Anthony Davis
4. DeAndre Jordan
5. Paul George
Again I think it's a two-man race here between Noah and Hibbert and I give the edge to Noah simply based on Hibbert and the Pacer's struggles over the second half of the season. He did however have a terrific defensive output during the first-half of the season. Noah has all the tools for a perfect defensive player: Great rebounder, good shot-blocker, gets in passing lanes even though he's a center, and he has Tom Thibodeau as a coach so I gotta give him the nod here. Davis and Jordan is next years defensive player of the year race mark my words their the future of defense in the league.
Sixth Man of the Year:
1. Manu Ginobili
2. Taj Gibson
3. Markieff Morris
4. Jamal Crawford
5. ???????
This is a tough one I say Ginobili but I think Gibson has an equal shot at winning. Ginobili is known as the Spurs sixth man but I think you could throw in any member of the Spurs bench as a possible candidate as well (Patty Mills or Marco Bellinelli). Gibson has been as reliable as anyone off the bench backing-up a fading Carlos Boozer and within the next year or so I see Boozer out and Gibson in as the starter. It's only a matter of time. I'm sure your surprised to see Markieff Morris in the three spot averages 13 and 6 for a Suns team that is very balanced offensively and surprised us all and it's a shame they will not be in the playoffs and the Hawks will be.
Rookie of the Year:
1. Victor Oladipo
2. Mason Plumlee
3. Michael Carter- Williams
4. Steven Adams
5. Tim Hardaway Jr.
I assumed a two man race at the All-Star break between Oladipo and Carter-Williams but, Plumlee seemed to come out of nowhere and is a crucial reason why the Nets are still a legitimate contender in the East. Just imagine if Kevin Garnett did not get hurt, would we be seeing Plumlee in this race? Absolutely not. For Plumlee it's almost a blessing in disguise because when KG went down he was forced to play in his spot which he has done beautifully. I put Carter-Williams at 3 because the Sixers...
Coach of the Year:
1. Gregg Popovich
2. Jeff Hornacek
3. Terry Stotts
4. Rick Carlisle
5. Tom Thibodeau
Tough one here to, Pop wins because of his ability to keep the Spurs relevant despite the age of the roster. I mean their the best team in the tougher conference and that's been the case for forever it seems like. I want Hornacek to win and I think he would have if the Suns would have made the playoffs. So Pop gets it hopefully he'll smile.....maybe....maybe not.
Most Improved Player:
1. Goran Dragic
2. Anthony Davis
3. Lance Stephenson
4. DeMarcus Cousins
5. DeAndre Jordan
6.Markieff Morris
7. Gerald Green
8. DeMar Derozen
9. Terrence Ross
10. Miles Plumlee
11. Shaun Livingston
12. Andre Drummond
13. D.J. Augustin
14. Kyle Lowry
15. Timofey Mozgov
16. Alec Burks
17. Jodie Meeks
18. Kendall Marshall
19. Isaiah Thomas
20. Draymond Green
This is by far the hardest award to choose, hence the reason why I have twenty names on this list. I think it comes down to Dragic he has the best chance of winning although I think all of these guys have case for it. Also I'll say this now Anthony Davis is the future of the NBA plain and simple.
Stay tuned for that playoffs preview coming tomorrow or Friday....
-NS (@NolanPSchmidt)
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