MVP:
1. Lebron James
2. Dirk Nowitzki
3. Kevin Durant
4. Steve Nash
5. Kobe Bryant
Winner: Lebron
It appears Lebron is going to be a near unanimous choice here, followed by Duran, Dwight Howard, Kobe, and Dwyane Wade. It's absolutely a shame that Dirk won't be recognized in this group because, as biased as I might be, this has been perhaps his best season. He has been absolutely brilliantly and has quietly solidified himself as the best closer in the game. Just have a look at these deep stats if you need further proof. No question Lebron should win this, but Dwight Howard doesn't belong in this conversation until he can either make free throws down the stretch or pass out of double teams effectively.
1. Tyreke Evans
2. Stephen Curry
3. Brandon Jennings
Winner: Evans
This should be a tight race. Curry has been the most highlight worthy while Jennings has been the starting point guard for a playoff team. Evans, however, is only the fourth rookie in NBA history to average 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists. I think that'll do it for him.
Coach
1. Jerry Sloan
2. Scott Brooks
3. Nate McMillan
Winner: Brooks
Brooks is the trendy pick and I couldn't argue against it. All I will say is, while the Thunder have definitely overachieved and his players love him, Brooks led his team to an 8th place finish. Sloan on the other hand was within a game of finishing second in the West and he's never won this award which is ridiculous. Maybe I'm being suckered into a lifetime achievement award but I think he deserves it.
Sixth Man
1. Jamal Crawford
2. Jason Terry
3. JR Smith
Winner: Crawford
Not really much of a race, actually. Crawford has been absolutely incredible this season, hitting crunch time shots and playing all of the important minutes. Terry, meanwhile, has had an inconsistent season and Smith hasn't had the impact he's had in past seasons.
1. Aaron Brooks
2. Andrew Bogut
3. George Hill
Winner: Brooks
Another tight race, this one because it's such a subjective award. Kevin Durant is going to get some votes here but my contention is he was a near All Star last year and this award is usually awarded for breakout players or guys who have been labeled a bust in the past. Brooks has been the only consistent offensive option for a Houston team that seriously overachieved. I think Bogut might have shown the greatest improvement but it's harder to vote for a former number 1 pick who had disappointed to this point than it is a scrappy 6 footer who's lead a winning team all year.
Defensive Player
1. Dwight Howard
2. Gerald Wallace
3. Josh Smith
Winner: Howard
Howard may win this award for the next 5 or 8 years. There's no question he is the most dominating defensive player in the game, especially in an era that doesn't throw out a lot of great defensive players.
All NBA:
Lebron James
Dirk Nowitzki
Dwight Howard
Steve Nash
Kobe Bryant
Second Team
Carmelo Anthony
Kevin Durant
Amare Stoudemire
Brandon Roy
Dwyane Wade
Third Team
Chris Bosh
Gerald Wallace
Andrew Bogut
Deron Williams
Joe Johnson
I think Durant probably skips Dirk into the 1st team but he shouldn't. No disrespect to Durant, he's been great. But again, I feel team success should have some bearing in these awards and Dirk led his team to a number 2 seed while Durant's Thunder are stuck at 8. Also, as noted before, Dirk is the best closer in the game while Durant actually plays worse in the clutch than he does the rest of the game. Eventually Durant is going to pass Dirk, but it shouldn't be this year.
All Rookie:
First Team
Tyreke Evans
Stephen Curry
Brandon Jennings
Darren Collison
Taj Gibson
Second Team:
DeJuan Blair
Ty Lawson
James Harden
Marcus Thornton
Omri Casspi
This year's rookie class was very strong. Picking 10 is really tough. Thornton was great down the stretch but Gibson was solid all year long as a starter on a (marginal) playoff team. The other four on the First team are pretty well etched in stone.
All Defense
Lebron James
Gerald Wallace
Dwight Howard
Rajon Rondo
Thabo Sefalosha
Second Team
Josh Smith
Shawn Marion
Anderson Varejao
Kobe Bryant
Dwyane Wade
We are in a down period for backcourt defenders. I'm not sure Wade or Bryant really deserve this honor but there aren't a lot of options that stand out and they have the pedigree. Shawn Marion deserves to be on this team without any question. All of the superstar swingmen in the league (Kobe, Lebron, Wade, Durant, etc.) average less and shoot a poorer percentage against the Mavs than they do the rest of the league and that's do in great part to Marion. He won't get this honor but he definitely deserves it.
Tomorrow: Repicking the Draft
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