Post-Midseason NBA Award Predictions

MVP – Most Valuable Player

LeBron James – Miami Heat

The way that LeBron is playing right now just isn’t fair to the rest of the league.  His complete arsenal is on display night in and night out.  His shot selection as well as his ability to punish defenders in the post puts him into another category now.  He is probably the most “dominant” player in the NBA today, because he can hurt you in so many different ways.

Also, did anyone in their right mind ever believe that LeBron would shoot over 40% from 3-point range any season in his career?  I highly doubt that, but he’s making it look easy this season.  The way the team has been playing the last few weeks speaks a lot to the volumes of what LeBron has been doing.  His play this season is overshadowing the much more consistent play of teammate Dwyane Wade.

1. Tony Parker – San Antonio Spurs: Parker is leading the best team in the league (record wise), while having the best season of his career.  He is playing at such a high level and is probably the most efficient scoring PG in the NBA.  If LeBron wasn’t having this unreal season, it would be Parker’s without a doubt.
2. Kevin Durant – Oklahoma City Thunder: Durant is going to be in this discussion every season for probably the next 7+ years.  He will probably win the scoring title in each of those seasons as well.  He is the best scorer in the NBA and his team is a perennial championship contender.
3. Chris Paul – Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers go only as far as Paul takes them.  They are a much different team when he’s not on the floor.  His leadership is a big key to them winning and his ability to take over the scoring load is needed for them to make a run at a title.

MIP – Most Improved Player

James Harden – Houston Rockets

Harden won this award when he was traded in the offseason giving him the “franchise” tag for the Rockets.  Everyone already knew how good he was, but there were plenty of doubters who didn’t feel he was worth the money.  He went from being the 6th man on a team with two perennial all-stars who dominate the ball and still was very effective.  This season he’s averaging about 10 more ppg, 2 apg, .5 rpg and 1 spg in only 7 extra minutes of playing time.

1. Jrue Holiday – Philadelphia 76ers: When the 76ers traded Andre Iguodala, they probably only had wet dreams about Holiday having the season he’s had.  He turned more minutes and more responsibility of the team to his 1st all-star appearance.  Holiday’s averaging about 6 more ppg and 4 apg in only about 4.5 extra minutes.
2. Omer Asik – Houston Rockets: Harden’s teammate is added to this list as well.  With the move from Chicago to Houston, Asik is proving to be worth the money the Rockets signed him for.  He has proven to be a top 10 center in the NBA with starters minutes.
3. Paul George – Indiana Pacers: George excelled in Danny Granger’s absence this season earning his 1st all-star appearance this season.  He’s playing the best basketball of his young career and has a lot more money coming his way when he’s a free agent.

ROY – Rookie of the Year

Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers

This one is a no-brainer! Lillard has come into the NBA and scorched the league.  He’s averaging 18 ppg, 6.5 apg and 3 rpg while helping the Blazers challenge for a surprising playoff berth.  He’s taken a lot of attention away from the #1 pick Anthony Davis, who’s having a solid rookie campaign as well.  Lillard is a big part of the Blazers moving forward along with all-star LaMarcus Aldridge.

1. Anthony Davis – New Orleans Hornets: Davis is playing well this season after dealing with injuries and early inconsistency.  He is proving to be a solid big man, which is scarce in the league.  He’s averaging around 12.5 ppg, 7.5 rpg and 2 bpg while shooting over 50% from the field and over 70% from the free throw line.
2. Dion Waiters – Cleveland Cavaliers: Waiters has had an up and down season, but seems to be getting more comfortable playing alongside Kyrie Irving.  Once he figures it out, the Cavs will be a future force much like the Thunder and how they built their team.
3. Bradley Beal – Washington Wizards: It’s no surprise that Beal’s statistics have become more consistent with the consistent play of his teammate John Wall.  The Wizards go as Wall goes and Beal is apart of their recent success.  He could rise up this list, but won’t overtake Lillard when it’s all said and done.

6th Man of the Year

Jarrett Jack – Golden State Warriors

Jack is my pick simply because of his overall effect on the game.  He’s averaging nearly 14 ppg and 6 apg, but when he’s on the court he shows leadership the rest of the guys follow.  He also compliments Stephen Curry very well, because they both are swing guards who can score and direct the team.  Without Jack this season, I don’t think the Warriors would have been as successful.

1. J.R. Smith – New York Knicks: Smith is a hired gun off the bench and everyone knows it.  When he’s on the floor he shoots an awful lot.  Smith still hasn’t figure out the difference between a good shot and a bad one.  When he’s on, heat checks are allowed, but he’s not on all the time.
2. Jamal Crawford – Los Angeles Clippers: Crawford was running away with this award early in the season with his play.  Injuries and inconsistent play have dropped him out of the lead. His play will be a big reason for the success of the Clippers during the playoffs.
3. Manu Ginobili – San Antonio Spurs: Ginobili’s play is in decline mode over the past two seasons.  Injuries and age are a big factor in that.  He still has the ability to change a game in stretches and is needed for another championship run.

Coach of the Year

Gregg Popovich – San Antonio Spurs

Coach Pop has infused his young talent into a more consistent role while managing his aging stars including Tim Duncan and Ginobili.  Dealing with plenty of injuries and playing his stars less minutes, yet to be able to still have the best record in the league says a lot about the job he’s doing.

I’m sure you’ve heard rumors about Popovich going to visit Parker after healing from the nightclub incident and letting him know that the team was his now.  Parker has stepped up for Pop and with his play and the depth of the team, the Spurs are fundamentally making another championship run.

1. Mike Woodson – New York Knicks: Wooden has changed the way the Knicks played since taking over for Mike D’Antoni last season.  A team that was atrocious on defense is now one of the top units in the NBA because of Woodson.  He’s even gotten Carmelo Anthony to buy in on defense, which no one expected to happen.  Also, dealing with injuries and having the oldest team in NBA history just goes to show how great of a job Woodson has done this season.
2. Frank Vogel – Indiana Pacers: Vogel has been without his star player this season, but his team is fighting for the #1 seed in the East.  He’s given more responsibility to George who’s risen to the occasion and he holds the players accountable for their play on defense.
3. Mark Jackson – Golden State Warriors: Jackson has proven to be a great coach in only his 2nd season coaching in the NBA.  He has a young team in the middle of the playoff race, while managing the talent on the team.  He doesn’t have a superstar per se, but he has some very good players.  He’s brought Curry’s play up a notch and has dealt with the consistent injuries to Andrew Bogut.  The team is sliding right now, but if they get back to their winning ways Jackson may rise up the list.