NBA Awards 09

With a week left it's time to start talking awards for the season. I'll give my prediction and in some cases who I think should win instead.

Most Improved Player of the Year
Prediction: Kevin Durant
My Choice: Danny Granger
Why?
Everyone knows Durant is going to be a star in this league. The guy is putting up terrific numbers and will eventually be considered one of the top five guys in the league. Should we punish him for expecting greatness? No, but giving a guy the rookie of the year award his first year and than the most improved award the next? That's ridiculous. The only way he could have improved enough to deserve this is if he led his team to contention for the playoffs. That would have shown a genuine improvement instead of a natural progression. He's right where everyone thought he would be at this point in his career. Granger? Well, he wasn't exactly a high draft pick (17 in 2005). He has shown improvement every year and is now the clear leader of his team. His numbers are up and he's kept the Pacers in the playoff hunt through most of the year. They can still technically get in at this point. Durant's team has lost 12 more games and was never considered a playoff threat. Granger's put the team on his back and elevated his game beyond what people thought he could. That's why he should be getting the most improved player award. But I have a feeling Durant will wind up with it.

Sixth Man of the Year
Prediction: Jason Terry
My Choice: Jason Terry
Why?
He's clearly the best guy in the league coming off the bench. He's keeping the Mavs in games and providing scoring, energy and efficiency off the bench. The only other guy I see as a real candidate is Paul Millsap, but he started for most of the season due to Carlos Boozer's injury, so I don't really consider him a sixth man.

Defensive Player of the Year
Prediction: Dwight Howard
My Choice: Dwight Howard
The guy is leading the league in blocks and rebounds. Teams have to change their offense because of his presence in the paint. I don't think I need to say anything else.

Coach of the Year
Prediction: Stan Van Gundy
My Choice: Jerry Sloan
Why?
Van Gundy has done an excellent job. He's really transformed the Magic into title a contender starting with their defense. Plus, he was able to integrate Alston seamlessly when Nelson was lost for the season. I wouldn't be upset or surprised if he won it. But, Sloan has done an equally amazing job in Utah. The Jazz didn't have their projected starters on the floor together until late February and were still able to hold on for a playoff spot. Few teams dealt with injury as well as the Jazz and unlike Van Gundy, Sloan didn't have the defensive player of the year to help carry the team. Plus, it's absurd that he hasn't won this award at least once in his 21 years coaching the Jazz. The guy deserves it. He made the hall of fame this year, so he probably won't be getting this one either. But in my opinion it's odd to have a coach in the hall of fame when he's never been given coach of the year. Most teams would have fallen apart with the amount of injuries the Jazz had to key players, but Sloan made them execute and contend.

Rookie of the Year
Prediction: Derrick Rose
My Choice: Derrick Rose
Why?
He's put up very high numbers for a first year player. But the reason I give him the award is for his impact on the team. Chicago was a huge disappointment last year and most thought they'd struggle this year as well. Not with Rose at the helm. He hasn't been perfect, but he's led the teams to a potential playoff berth and is far and away the best rookie this year. His leadership and talent will lead to some great things down the road for the Bulls.

Most Valuable Player of th Year
Prediction: Lebron James
My Choice: Lebron James
Why?
He is in the top five in points per game, top ten in assists, top ten in steals, and has led his team to the best record in the NBA (so far). He's been magnificent and while Dwight, CP3, Wade and Kobe all deserve some consideration, at the end of the day, he's the best player on the planet right now.