2008-2009 NBA season awards

Another NBA season is beyond us, and now it’s that time of year again- where self proclaimed know-it-alls in the blogosphere use what little knowledge (bias) we have and crown the who’s-who of the NBA.  Also, with the playoffs coming as soon as tomorrow (predictions coming soon) I’ll hand out my awards before the action gets too nailbiting. 

Most Valuable Player:  Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We all knew that it was only a matter of time until King James took his game to a level that allowed him to be crowned as the NBA’s best player.  Playing in 81 of a possible 82 games (he sat out the last game of the season due to the wishes of his coach) while averaging 28 pts, 7  assists and 7 rebounds.  We have never seen a player with the strength, size and speed of Lebron.  He single-handedly placed a team on his back and the result was the NBA’s best record (66-16) and the second best home record of all time (39-2).  Only thing left to do now is to win the NBA Finals. 

Rookie of the Year:  Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Averaging 17 pts, 6 assists and 4 rebounds as a rookie, Rose emerged early in the season as the class of last years draft – proving that he deserved that #1 pick.  He quickly became the leader of the Bulls and has led them to the postseason and a first round matchup with the Celtics. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

All you have to do is take a look at the image and see why Howard has become the poster child for defensive presence in the NBA.    He led the league in both rebounding and blocks (14 and 3), all while averaging over a steal a game.   Also, he changes the outcome of a game with plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet, like deflections and altered shots.

 6th Man of the Year:  Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19.5 points per game in 34 minutes. 46 percent shooting, 36 percent from the 3 pt line, 88 percent from at the free throw line. 3.4 assists, 1.2 steals, 1.6 turnovers, 2.4 rebounds, average defense, and accepting a leadership role off the bench with a great attitude that can’t help but reflect off his teammates. The Jet has been fantastic this season.  Also, his team made the playoffs – Sorry Nate Robinson.

Most Improved Player: Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets.

 Consider this season the official Devin Harris coming out party.  In one season he’s gone from a decent role playing pg in Dallas, to an all-star and the “it” guy for New Jersey.   Harris impressed while boosting his averages to 22 points and 7.0 assists; the only players with better numbers in those categories are Dwayne Wade, Chris Paul and Lebron James (all MVP candidates)

 

Coach of the Year:  Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adelman has dealt with a season-ending injury to perennial all-star Tracy McGrady, alongside injuries to Shane Battier, Ron Artest, Calry Landry, and the loss of his starting point guard Rafer Alston to a trade, all while weaving in inexperienced players like Von Wafer, Aaron Brooks, Kyle Lowry, and Chuck Hayes.  However, the Rockets still won over 50 games and the fifth seed in the playoffs for the third straight year.