It’s end of season award time and… well, I don’t have an official ballot. But not being official never stopped me before.
So here would be my votes for the winners, plus some people I also would have put on the list.
Note that the one exception is the Most Improved Player category, an award that I despise. Usually it goes to a good player who just gets more minutes and keeps performing at the same level, but aside that I think the entire concept of the award is questionable. So I’m not touching it. But I’ll play along with everything else.
Most Valuable Player:
LeBron James. He has simply had the best statistical year, improving and taking a larger role in the Heat’s offense while also being a key part of their defensive strategy. He’s shooting 53.1 percent, he has a league best PER of 30.7, he’s getting to the line and dishing assists — he has been the best player in the league this season by a long shot. If you want to say, “that doesn’t matter until he wins a ring” go right ahead, he’d agree with you. But the fact is this is a regular season award and he has been the best player in the regular season going away.
2. Kevin Durant; 3. Tony Parker; 4. Chris Paul; 5. Kevin Love.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Tyson Chandler. I’ll admit up front this is a bit of a lifetime achievement award — he has been fantastic for years, was key to Dallas winning a ring last season and now has been at the heart of a turnaround in the Knicks defense. He is the Knicks MVP this season.
2. LeBron James; 3. Kevin Garnett.
Rookie of the Year:
Kyrie Irving. This really isn’t close. Coming out of college (where we didn’t get to see a lot of him) I thought he would be good but at the core of a rebuilding process. He proved me and a lot of people wrong. He averaged 18.5 points and 5.5 assists a game. Cleveland has something there.
2. Ricky Rubio; 3. Kenneth Faried.
Sixth Man of the Year.
James Harden. Easiest choice on the board. Harden not only scores 16.8 points her game he is the best playmaker on the team — Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant can get theirs, but when Harden is running the offense everybody gets a piece. He is the guy they trust to make the right decision at the end of the game. Plus, best beard in the league.
2. Lou Williams; 3. Jason Terry.
Coach of the Year.
Frank Vogel (Indiana). There are some veteran coaches who did fantastic jobs this season, no doubt, but nobody got as much out of the talent he was given and helped a team grown and evolve like Vogel. He has his team playing smart, balanced, team ball at both ends of the floor. He’s made the smart move all year, riding the hot hand and trying different lineups to see what works in what situation. He won’t win it, but he deserves it.
2. Gregg Popovich; 3. Tom Thibodeau.