Mid-season awards

[Doobie]

Well since every team has basically passed the half-way point of the season, I decided to start a thread for awards so far. So who's your mvp, defensive player, sixth man, most improved, and rookie of the year?

MVP- LeBron James.
This man has the Cavaliers playing at a level I couldn't have imagined with them. He is averaging 28/7/7 on the season and IS playing like the best player in the NBA. Also averaging 2 steals and over a block a game which puts him in select company with very players in the league .

Rookie of the year - Derrick Rose
The floor general for the Chicago Bulls. He has not disapointed but he has surprised, I expected Mike Beasley to have a better year then Rose, but Derrick has proven to be the best rookie this year. O.J mayo also deserves a mention.

Defensive Player of the year- Dwight Howard
Who else can you choose for this award? Leading the NBA at 13.8 rebounds per game, leading the league in rebounding, leading the league in blocks with over 3 a game. The defensive anchor to on the of the top teams in the NBA. The man has all the credentials to win this award.

sixth man of the year- Nate Robinson
Okay, so this is a biased pick. Obviously theres Manu, AK47, Lamar Odom all going for this award. In my eyes Nate Robinson is the spark for the Knicks that really kicks them into overdrive. He is averaging 15/4/3.5 off the bench this year for the Knicks and is really pulling himself ahead of the other three. He probably won't win it, but atleast deserves a mention

Most Improved -Paul Millsap
Spencer Hawes, Wilson Chandler, Danny Granger,and Devin Harris all deserve notification but Paul Millsap is filling in the role of an injured star, and he is doing a hell of a job. Last year he averaged 8.1 ppg and 5.6 rpg, this year he is averaging 15.6 ppg and 9.7 rpg along with 1.1 bpg. He is another case of a player benefiting from an injury, but for a second round pick a few years back he has come a long way.

[Valor]

MVP - Kobe Bryant
He is playing with 8 fingers and is still amazing every single night....enough said
EDIT: Main reason why i am putting Kobe over Lebron is because Kobe won that match against Lebron with literally 8 fingers...and also because of Lebron's "Crab Dribble..."

Rookie of the year - Derrick Rose
The Savior of the Bulls.....

Defensive Player of the year- Dwight Howard
Superman anyone?

Sixth Man of the Year - Lamar Odom
Playing literally 10 minutes less then his career averages, and has same amount of blocks, more steals, higher shooting percentages, +13.29 Efficiency Rating, not to mention he can fill in ANY needs of the team cause he is so versatile, plays from the 1 to 5 effortlessly.

Most Improved - Devin Harris
Thank You Cuban!

[Andrew]

MVP: LeBron James

At the moment I'd give LeBron the nod. He's putting up similar numbers to last year despite playing fewer minutes (the only major drop is his scoring and that's still the equivalent of one field goal per game), his free throw shooting is up and the Cavs currently have the league's best record, admittedly by percentage points but still exceeding expectations. They have a better roster but it all begins with LeBron and he remains the only bonafide All-Star calibre player on the roster.

ROY: Derrick Rose

I'd have to agree that his play has been surprising, I had high hopes for him but he'd been pegged to have a solid but not oustanding rookie season with whispers that the Bulls messed up by not taking Beasley. At this point we still can't say, Beasley could well surpass him down the road but for now it's looking like the right choice. Mayo's got him in scoring but if not for Ben Gordon's 20 ppg Rose's average would likely be higher and amongst rookies he has some nice stats across the board.

DPOY: Dwight Howard

I think I'm going to have to go with Howard too, for the reasons outlined above.

Sixth Man: Jason Terry

There are other prominent sixth men on more successful teams but Terry's averaging the most points off the bench and seems to have really taken to the sixth man role, being able to come in at a couple of positions and play with the starters or the second unit and come in with momentum even if he doesn't check in until the latter stages of the first quarter. The Mavs are eighth in the West but they still have a very respectable record in what remains a competitive race for the top eight, I don't think that should count against him.

MIP: Danny Granger

Pretty much a toss up between Granger and Devin Harris at this point. What's impressive is that unlike a lot of MIP candidates in the past and indeed this year as well, they've seen a very minimal increase in their playing time. Granger is currently averaging 0.8 mpg more than last year while Harris is only an even 2 mpg up on last year's average in New Jersey. With their teams making changes to the roster they've certainly been granted an opportunity but they're not getting significantly extra time to capitalise on it. At this point I'm leaning towards Granger as they both are currently improved in four of the standard statistical categories but Granger has the biggest single improvement (+6.2 ppg to his scoring average). Difficult to argue against Harris though.

[diddy]

MVP- LeBron James
Came out of 2 surgeries and playing best basketball in the league with almost 29 points per game, lifting a team w/o solid C, 2 rookies (one of them from 2-d round of the 2008 draft), and Marion, who deos a half of his Phoenix job, i think he deserves MVP more than LBJ

Rookie of the year - Derrick Rose
Rose has freedom, just like OJ Mayo! But there is one name, that could shortly becomeeven better, it's Super Mario Chalmers, that's right! he overplayed Rose, Harris, Deron and other PGs this season and playing alongside Dwyane Wade he putting the numbers (9.2 ppg + 5 apg + 2,5 rebs + 1,8 steels) and he ROCKS, he got 3-pt % higher than rose has, and he is 2-d round pick! we have a star in the 1-2 years in the making!

Defensive Player of the year- Dwight Howard
no comments

sixth man of the year- Jason Terry
This guy added a LOT this season. Respect also to Nate.

Most Improved -Devin Harris
thre is a no brainer for me! he shocked all league, espesially Mark Cuban! there are aslo few guys who also did awesome job: Granger, W. Chandler, J.R. Smith, Millsap

[Sam The Man]

MVP - LeBron James
He is putting up the same numbers in less minutes, and they use the excuse that his team doesn't have a good enough record this season, there is no way he gets snubbed.

ROY - Derrick Rose
Not only is this guy putting up great numbers, but he is running a team, which would be very hard for a rookie, he has really silenced his critics.

DPOY- Dwight Howard
Is there anything more than needs to be said?

Sixth Man - Jason Terry
Provides instant offense when put into the game, ranked 30th in PER.

MIP - Danny Granger
Not only has his scoring improved tremendously, his defense has gotten a lot better. His team record will probably hurt his chances.

[Oskar]

Diddy, c'mon, Mario's not that good, he's not even in the top 5 of the rookies, tbh, but he sure is terrific. This draft is just tooooo deep.

Anyways, without comments ..

MVP: LeBron James

Runner up: Dwyane Wade

ROTY: Derrick Rose

Runner up: OJ Mayo

DPOY: Dwight Howard

Runner up: Rajon Rondo

6th: Jason Terry

Runner up: Nate Robinson

MIP: Danny Granger

Runner up(s): Devin Harris, Rajon Rondo, Jameer Nelson

[Cartar]

Just like Oskar, without comments

MVP: LeBron James
Runner up: Dwyane Wade (If Cavs and Heat would have same record, I would've chosen him)

ROY: Derrick Rose:
Runner up: OJ Mayo

DPOY: Dwight Howard
Runner ups: Chris Paul/Dwyane Wade

6th man: Jason Terry
Runner up: Andrei Kirilenko

MIP: Danny Granger
Runner ups: Devin Harris, Paul Millsap (it's partly getting more minutes, partly improvement), Rajon Rondo, Shaquille O'neal

COY: Stan van Gundy
Runner up: Can't think of anyone really

[Andrew]

Completely forgot about Coach of the Year. I'd probably go with Stan Van Gundy or Mike Brown. Cleveland's roster is a bit better on paper than Orlando's so I lean towards Van Gundy too.

[Bodz]

Here are the awards according to NBA.com.

MVP
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Honorable mention: Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Dwight Howard (Magic), Chris Paul (Hornets), Tim Duncan (Spurs).

Defensive Player
Dwight Howard, Magic
Honorable mention: Paul (Hornets), James (Cavaliers), Dwyane Wade (Heat), Kevin Garnett (Celtics).

Rookie
Derrick Rose, Bulls
Honorable mention: O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies), Russell Westbrook (Thunder), Brook Lopez (Nets), Marc Gasol (Grizzlies).

Sixth Man
Jason Terry, Mavericks
Honorable mention: Manu Ginobili (Spurs), Andrei Kirilenko (Jazz), Leandro Barbosa (Suns), James Posey (Hornets).

Most Improved
Devin Harris, Nets
Honorable mention: Danny Granger (Pacers), Kevin Durant (Thunder), Paul Millsap (Jazz), Andris Biedrins (Warriors).

Coach
Stan Van Gundy, Magic
Honorable mention: Mike Brown (Cavaliers), Gregg Popovich (Spurs), Nate McMillan (Blazers), Eric Spoelstra (Heat).

Biggest Surprise
Atlanta Hawks (Joe Johnson)
Honorable mention: Even with Carlos Boozer missing most of the season and Deron Williams a good chunk, the Jazz are still in the West playoff hunt ... And seven coaches -- six before the end of December -- already have been canned.

Biggest Disappointment
The Raptors expected to contend in the East with the addition of Jermaine O'Neal. They've since fired coach Sam Mitchell, could be trading O'Neal and are likely headed to the lottery.
Honorable mention: Houston's Big Three can't get on track ... Elton Brand hasn't fit in with the Sixers ... Baron Davis has been irrelevant in his return home to the Clippers.

Best Move
By landing a true point guard and consummate leader in Denver native Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets have climbed to the top of the Northwest Division. Kudos for also knowing when to pull the plug on the Allen Iverson experiment.
Honorable mention: Jason Richardson hasn't meant an immediate boost in the standings, but the Suns look more like the Suns of old.

Worst Move
Could the Stephon Marbury situation be any worse for the Knicks? Despite being paid $20 million to stay away from the team, Fallen Star-bury is hardly willing to budge on a buyout.
Honorable mention: The Sonics' relocation to Oklahoma City. The move wasn't fair to the people of Seattle, though the fans of OKC have embraced their Thunder.

All-NBA
First team
F LeBron James, Cavaliers
F Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
C Dwight Howard, Magic
G Kobe Bryant, Lakers
G Chris Paul, Hornets

Second team
F Tim Duncan, Spurs
F Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
C Yao Ming, Rockets
G Dwyane Wade, Heat
G Brandon Roy, Blazers