NBA Regular Season Awards
By Jeremy Hall
First off, this is Jeremy Hall checking in. I’ll be helping Marcelo run the Sports Department next year at ATVN. I’m also taking on a new position at ATVN as the first ever Sports Multimedia Director. Hopefully I don’t screw things up, but hope to add a new dimension to ATVN Sports. Moving on…
With the NBA regular season winding down and playoff teams determined, it’s time to hand out the hardware and celebrate the achievements of several players.
MVP—KOBE BRYANT
The much-heated race on determining the Most Valuable Player was just as tight as the race to finish on top of the Western Conference. This is why Kobe Bryant deserves the nod over Chris Paul. Last Friday’s match up between the their respective teams showed just why Bryant deserves MVP, especially after the Lakers pulled ahead by 30 points, eventually holding off the Hornets comeback attempt. Had the Hornets ended on top of the West, I’d hand CP3 this award. Don’t get me wrong, CP3 is just as deserving for taking the Hornets to a place no one, and I mean no one, ever expected them to be at. However, the “Black Mamba” was able to put everything aside after a tumultuous summer and showed leadership in carrying the team through all the injuries. Runner up: Chris Paul
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR—AL HORFORD
Most give it to Kevin Durant, but I think Horford has been more consistent throughout the whole season. NBA experts said Horford had the most NBA ready body and it showed as he led all rookies rebounds and with 23 double-doubles. It also helps that the Hawks are in the playoffs with Horford making huge contributions. Runner up: Kevin Durant
COACH OF THE YEAR—BYRON SCOTT
Nobody expected the New Orleans Hornets to make the playoffs, nevertheless compete for the top spot in the competitive West. Has been the most surprising team in the NBA by far. Props to Scott for putting New Orleans back on the map. Runner up: Rick Adelman
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR—KEVIN GARNETT
KG has lead Boston to the best turnaround in NBA history. It all started on the defensive end as he anchored one of the best defensive teams and leading the Celtics to the best record in the NBA. Runner up: Marcus Camby
SIXTH-MAN—MANU GINOBILI
No question about this award. It’s almost unfair to be giving this award to Ginobili since he plays more than the average minutes for a sixth-man. Nonetheless, it is Ginobili that sparks the team. A healthy Ginobili will be the key for the Spurs to have any chance of repeating as NBA Champs. Runner up: Leandro Barbosa
MOST IMPROVED—HEDO TURKOGLU
He may still be unknown to most fans, but has improved him game dramatically this season. Turkoglu put up career numbers in points, rebounds and assists helping Orlando to its first division title since the 1995-96 season.
Runner ups: Rajon Rondo; Andrew Bynum
Fearless Prediction-
NBA Champions: Los Angeles Lakers
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