because it will be done eventually (award predictions)

[benji]

If Indiana Pacers forward Jermaine O'Neal gets only one first-place vote for NBA most valuable player, it's my vote. Yes, I know I wrote last week that I was joining the consensus in voting for Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett. From a statistical standpoint, he qualifies amply for such consideration, and I was all ready to vote for him.

But a fellow NBA reporter recently e-mailed me about how rude Garnett continues to be to the media, never granting pregame interviews and making reporters, pressed by deadlines, wait long after games to talk with him. I then remembered the experiences I and other Chicago writers have had with him, and this is supposed to be one of his homes.

He makes only one trip a year to play in Chicago. But I remember that one time he visited, he was injured and was not going to suit up and play that night. Still, he refused to give me an interview. I reminded him that I was the first NBA writer to interview him before and after he was drafted straight out of high school in 1995, but he still gave me the cold shoulder.

I always have had a policy of voting for the human qualities of an MVP candidate, as well as his basketball talent. I look at each candidate's character, professionalism and willingness to promote the product of which he is a part and which has made him quite wealthy. All of a sudden, Garnett was no longer my choice for MVP. I then turned to O'Neal, who always has been courteous to me and has granted me interviews before and after games. Besides, O'Neal is the primary reason the Pacers finished with the best record in the league during the regular season and have home-court advantage throughout the playoffs

[jonthefon]

You mean Kevin Garnett's an asshat? Shock, I never knew that.

[NovU]

It's pretty much a wash. Wade put up slightly better stats on a slightly better team, but Kobe is the first option/primary ballhandler while Wade shares those duties with LeBron. Wade's a better player, but I'd probably give the nod to Kobe. Would almost be tempted to put Wade/Kobe on first team, then move Rose on to the second...

But you are the stat guy.

Win Share per 48 Min wise, Kobe is the primary option on his team but definitely not the best player at mere 0.179 while Gasol's at 0.232. Wade might not be the primary option but his WS sitting at 0.218 which is superior than Kobe's, and almost all his stats are better(see for urself) than Kobe except in a few.

I see Kobe on most pplz list but nobody seems to have a solid case to back that up.

[benji]

One more ring and the debate for GOAT is over.

[koberulz]

It's pretty much a wash. Wade put up slightly better stats on a slightly better team, but Kobe is the first option/primary ballhandler while Wade shares those duties with LeBron. Wade's a better player, but I'd probably give the nod to Kobe. Would almost be tempted to put Wade/Kobe on first team, then move Rose on to the second...

But you are the stat guy.

Win Share per 48 Min wise, Kobe is the primary option on his team but definitely not the best player at mere 0.179 while Gasol's at 0.232. Wade might not be the primary option but his WS sitting at 0.218 which is superior than Kobe's, and almost all his stats are better(see for urself) than Kobe except in a few.

I see Kobe on most pplz list but nobody seems to have a solid case to back that up.

That's their WS/48, not their WS.

Interestingly, Wade has a lower AST%.

[shadowgrin]

OMG BALLHOG!

[NovU]

Win Share per 48 Min wise, Kobe is the primary option on his team but definitely not the best player at mere 0.179 while Gasol's at 0.232.

That's their WS/48, not their WS.

So...?

Interestingly, Wade has a lower AST%.

Wow. Am I supposed to say that I'm impressed. Primary ball handler having a slight better AST% when Wade is more often on receiving end from Bron, where he could just take shots or drive in for a lay or finish with dunks.

As usual, you try to quote out of context. Nit picking rather than making a point. That all you can do? So what's your opinion? Can you bit little more clear?

[koberulz]

That's their WS/48, not their WS.

So...?

So nothing in particular. Thought it might have been worth mentioning.

Wow. Am I supposed to say that I'm impressed.

Not at all. I said "interestingly", not "impressively".

As usual, you try to quote out of context.

"As usual"? Really? In this circumstance, there isn't really any context. It's just a number.

So what's your opinion? Can you bit little more clear?

My opinion on what? Which of the two was better this season? Wade, looking at those numbers.

[[Q]]

Dwight named DPOY. I got 5 points!

[shadowgrin]

Azns and their numbers.

[Alpha_]

Most Valuable Player: Derrick Rose (Possibly, LeBron James or Dwight Howard)
Most Improved Player: Kevin Love (Russell Westbrook and Dorell Wright are still in.)
6th Man Player of the Year: Lamar Odom
Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau
Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin (or John Wall although it's impossible.)
Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard (He just won 3 consecutive seasons as the Defensive Player of the Year.)
Executive of the Year: Pat Riley

All-NBA First Team:
C: Dwight Howard
F: LeBron James
F: Kevin Durant
G: Kobe Bryant
G: Derrick Rose

All-NBA Second Team:
C: Amar'e Stoudemire
F: Pau Gasol
F: Dirk Nowitzki
G: Dwyane Wade
G: Chris Paul

All-NBA Third Team:
C: Kevin Love
F: Zach Randolph
F: Paul Pierce
G: Manu Ginobili
G: Russell Westbrook

All-Defensive First Team:
C: Dwight Howard
F: Kevin Garnett
F: Grant Hill
G: Tony Allen
G: Rajon Rondo

All-Defensive Second Team:
C: Joakim Noah (or Tyson Chandler or maybe JaVale McGee)
F: Josh Smith
F: Gerald Wallace
G: Keith Bogans
G: Chris Paul

All-Rookie First Team:
Blake Griffin
John Wall
DeMarcus Cousins
Landry Fields
Wesley Johnson

All-Rookie Second Team:
Gary Neal
Greg Monroe
Ed Davis
Evan Turner
Derrick Favors

[[Q]]

Lamar is 6th man & Kevin Love is the most improved player. i still dont think love is improved, he was this good last year, he's just getting more minutes this season

[Andrew]

3/3 so far, as most of us are.

[koberulz]

Lamar is 6th man & Kevin Love is the most improved player. i still dont think love is improved, he was this good last year, he's just getting more minutes this season

Increased his TS% from .549 to .593, eFG% from .478 to .513, rebound % from 21.5 to 23.6, dropped his TO % from 13.2 to 11.1, increased his ORtg from 113 to 123 and his WS/48 from .138 to .210. Per 36, he's getting 1.5 more rebounds and 0.4 fewer turnovers, giving up 0.9 fewer fouls and scoring 2.7 more points. He's getting to the line 1.1 more times per 36 and shooting .850%, up from .815%.

That seems like an improvement to me.

[[Q]]

it would be an improvement, especially in per 36 numbers when he now plays 36 mins per game in a fairly healthy season as opposed to 60 games at 28 minutes per. gives him more time to be the focal point of the offense, get more tip ins, etc. i do give it to you that his percentages have increased and are obviously not because of more minutes.