The awards thread

[Lamrock]

Paul: Well... West has maintained his play under the Paul reign... The argument kind of falls flat there... Still, the whole Paul is the second best player in the NBA on the top team in the West without Kobe's support argument has already been said before, and I just use the West thing as an example of improving teammates, and why I have him the edge over LeBron.

Camby: Significantly more blocks and rebounds.

PER: Chris Kaman is only the popular pick for MIP because last year was his second worst year statistically. The gap between 2006 and 2008 Kaman is smaller. Then you have the small-time guys who can't win it (Miles, Bass, Ruffin, Mason, Powe, Jones); then guys who are already superstars (STAT, CP3, LeBron) and then remove Bynum from injury and you have just Perkins, Gay, Farmar ahead of Ellis.

Does this mean Perkins for MIP? Well, maybe if you don't consider KG having something to do with it. Gay and Farmar could be dark horses; though you are anti-sophomore MIP.

[benji]

What are you arguing...who will win it, or who should win it? It seems like...both?

I could care less who will win it.

Roger Mason was basically out of the league, and if NBA teams didn't prefer known losers to unknowns, he would've been for good. Now you can play him 20 minutes a game and he actually helps your team!

And regarding Paul...how can we argue Paul made West into a better player (using magic) two years ago, so he deserves MVP over LeBron this year? And what evidence is there that Paul worked hard with West the year before to improve his jumper in order for them to form a powerful duo when Paul joined the team? It was West's second full, and third total, season after all.

In other words, "making teammates better" is another meme that needs to die a horrible death.

[Axel]

Amare is making a case for the MVP now. He has been pretty consistent all year, but in the past 20 games or so, he has been absolutely unstoppable. Offensively and defensively, he is playing at the highest levels in his career. By the end of the season, he needs to be a serious contender for MVP..

[benji]

But, he can't be. See, Steve Nash makes him better. He'd be tripping over his own feet, constantly missing the backboard, and not recovering with career-destroying surgeries without Steve Nash's passing.

[shadowgrin]

Roger Mason was basically out of the league, and if NBA teams didn't prefer known losers to unknowns, he would've been for good. Now you can play him 20 minutes a game and he actually helps your team!

But some people might say that Mason does those things because of an injured superstar teammate, like the same case with Kaman and his injured star teammate that people have been saying.

but in the past 20 games or so, he has been absolutely unstoppable

I haven't seen any Suns games since the trade but I'm guessing Shaq's presence in the post helps to relieve some defensive pressure from "Stat" that's why he's appearing to be "unstoppable"?

[benji]

But some people might say that Mason does those things because of an injured superstar teammate, like the same case with Kaman and his injured star teammate that people have been saying.

Just because people say things doesn't mean they're right...or that the people are smart.

Kaman had a comparable season in the past. Mason had three years, including a two year gap where he was out of the league, where he was completely unplayable. Including one last year with the same team.

It takes such an insane leap of logic to say "because Gilbert Arenas is injured, Roger Mason is making more of his shots" that I cannot believe that cause-and-effect. Kaman is seeing increased usage due to Brand being out (but he's also rebounding, assisting and blocking more), Mason isn't.

[StupidBoy]

MVP:
Will win: LeBron James
Should win: LeBron James
Will maybe win: Chris Paul

You know how good LeBron is, his team can't win without him. He had some bad games this week, but he still has the best PPG, and with 8 RPG and 7.3 APG he deserves it way more than Kobe does.

I'd also mention Chris Paul. He is the reason why the Hornets are so successful. Afterall, he is the best PG.


MIP:
Will win: Beno Udrih
Should win: Beno Udrih:
Will mabye win: Rajon Rondo

Whilst Beno was still in San Antonio, he was just picking up drops from bench, now he has become starting PG in Sacramento, and he is putting up very good numbers. When he was in SA, he was averaging about 5 PPG and 1.7 APG, now he has 12,8 PPG, 3,4 RPG and 4,4 APG.


Sixth man:
Will win: Manu Ginobilli
Should win: Manu Ginobilli
Will maybe win: no decision

He comes from the bench. He puts big number every night. He deserves it way more than anyone else. And afterall, he is my fav player

[benji]

Whilst Beno was still in San Antonio, he was just picking up drops from bench, now he has become starting PG in Sacramento, and he is putting up very good numbers. When he was in SA, he was averaging about 5 PPG and 1.7 APG, now he has 12,8 PPG, 3,4 RPG and 4,4 APG.

Which is why he's not the Most Improved Player, and why any big contract lavished on him like has been rumored will be stupid. You shouldn't be 25 and play exactly the same as your rookie season.

[grusom]

Why don't you post your choices benji? I enjoy reading your explanations of what's wrong with ours, but it would be interesting to see what your own choices would be

[benji]

I do not know who I would pick yet, I have not evaluated all the players for this season

If I have to pick off the top of my head without being able to research deeply, I would probably go with LeBron James (MVP), Kevin Durant, Al Horford, Thaddeus Young, Luis Scola or Jamario Moon (ROY), Roger Mason (MIP), Undetermined (6th, since I decided on my own criteria for it), Undetermined, hopefully not Camby (DPOY), Mike Brown? Lawrence Frank? Is luck what determines a coach? I guess I would have to look at their rotations (COY), I suppose Danny Ainge, Chris Wallace if the Lakers win the title though right? (EOY), Darko Milicic (NBA Sportsmanship Award).

[grusom]

Sorry, hadn't seen that one.

[Emiliano]

MVP: Kobe Bryant
ROY: Luis Scola
Most Improved: Hedo Turkoglu
Sixth Man: Manu Ginobili
DPOY: Marcus Camby
COY: Byron Scott
Executive: Danny Ainge

[Skills]

Sixth Man: Manu Ginobili

Lol, funny how you posted since Manu has already won the 6th Man award.

[Emiliano]

Sixth Man: Manu Ginobili

Lol, funny how you posted since Manu has already won the 6th Man award.

HAHA, I know He would have still taken my vote though! haha.

[Andrew]

I'm 1-0 in picks so far, which is sadly an improvement over my feeble efforts in last year's predictions.

[Lamrock]

I think we are all 1-0 at this point Andrew, but congrats.

[Andrew]

True, but this start already gives me a good chance of surpassing my total last year.

[Tmacrockets]

MVP
No questions LeBron James,becous at this season hi is unstapoble,man aftger play vs WIZARDS at game 2 = 30pt,9 assists,12 reb oh dude :[.
At playoffs hi is monster,nobody can stop him.
Abaut Koby,hmm this season not, i will agre if here 2005~2007 season,yes then hi need to be MVP,not little chunky NASH. at playoff game vs denver,was SOSOSO BAD. at 1 half 2 points,then not more then 10,only on 2quater was better.

MIP,ROJAN RONDO.

Sixt man.
I was thinking the Barbosa,but not Ginobilli.

When we will now the MVP FINAL RESULATS?[/b]

[Andrew]

It depends. Sometimes the MVP isn't announced until the Conference Finals, other times the announcement comes during the second round. In any event, the votes have already been cast whoever ends up winning it already has it locked up.