With a plethora of superstars from Kevin Durant
to LeBron
James and Kobe
Bryant and many more, the NBA has more than enough talent to compete for its
most prestigious awards. But after predicting the
fate of the 2013 NBA season, it is a little bit clearer as to who should
take home the trophies.
Here is a complete preview of all six major awards from
coach of the year to most valuable player.
Coach of the Year:
Doc Rivers, BOS
Doc Rivers has put together an impressive run of playoff
appearances and may only have one championship to show for it, but 2013 will be
a year that he may lead the Celtics to another deep playoff run (or more).
With a revamped roster that features Kevin
Garnett, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo,
the Celtics have the potential to make a championship run and will fend for the
two-spot in the eastern conference (behind the Miami Heat).
A 2012
poll of NBA players found Doc Rivers sitting atop the list of coaches “you
would like to play for most.” Rivers motivates his guys and maintains the
respect of the entire spectrum of rookies to Hall of Famers.
Defensive Player of
the Year: Dwight Howard, LAL
Already a three-time defensive player of the year, Dwight
Howard should not fall short of a fourth in his first season as a Los Angeles
Laker.
Needing a change of scenery (and new faces to surround
himself with), Howard chose to partner up with Kobe Bryant in a franchise that
is rich in its history of big men, from the great Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to the
most recent dominant force in Shaquille O’Neal.
He averages 13 rebounds and over two blocks a game over the
course of his eight-year career. And at 26 years old, he is just now hitting
his prime.
Dwight Howard could be the first player since Dennis Rodman
in 1997 to get over 16 boards a game.
Most Improved Player
of the Year: Avery Bradley, BOS
Avery Bradley has already shown glimpses of a very bright
future. At face value, Bradley had a mediocre season, with only 7.6 points and
1.4 assists per game.
But looking a bit deeper, you’ll see his per 36 minutes
stats show 12.7 points per game average to go along with 3.0 rebounds, 2.3
assists and 1.1 steals per game.
Perhaps most impressively was his performance
in the month of April: 15 points per game, more than 50 percent shooting on
field goals and three-pointers, six games scoring over 17 points and 28 against
the playoff-bound Atlanta Hawks.
Unless his injury limits him to less than 100 percent,
Bradley should be a shoo-in for MIP, especially with an MVP-contending point
guard running the show.
Sixth Man of the
Year: James Harden, OKC
James Harden is capable of becoming the first player since
Detlef Schrempf in 1992 to repeat as sixth man of the year. Harden would be a
starter on most other teams and probably should
be traded for the sake of Oklahoma City’s title hopes but has proven to be
an important cog of Oklahoma City’s deep playoff runs.
Harden averaged 17 points per game in 2012—that’s solid for
a starter. Even though Harden had a
disappointing Finals showing, he should be able to rebound for a second
consecutive Sixth Man of the Year Award.
Rookie of the Year:
Harrison Barnes, GS
While popular opinion gives the nod for rookie of the year
to number one overall draft pick Anthony Davis, Golden State’s used their
(lucky?) number seven pick to grab former Tar Heel Harrison Barnes.
Barnes has more than a good shot at winning ROY after the
Warriors traded away small forward Dorell Wright, who would have been the
starter at the beginning of the season. With Wright gone, the job is Barnes’ to
lose.
If Golden
State makes the playoffs and Barnes contributes a reasonable amount, he
will win it over Davis and the struggling New Orleans Hornets.
Most Valuable Player:
LeBron James, MIA
Injury is the only thing between LeBron James and a fourth MVP award.
Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and Rajon Rondo are among the
other viable MVP options but LeBron James is the best player in the league. An
unstoppable train, James has proven he can get to the basket at will. Most of the
NBA just gets out of the way rather than get wrecked by the 6’8” and
250-pounder.
At 27 years old, James is in the prime—a scary thought
considering what the “young” LeBron has already accomplished. The field will
have a tough time beating the reigning MVP who has 27.6 points, 7.2 rebounds,
6.9 assists, 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game over the course of his
career.
This article was originally
published on B/R.
Of course Barnes as rookie of the year would mean most likely GS would have had a respectable season. Would love to see this but that's a big if. James for MVP? Before next season starts? Lol. I'm with you on that one. James is starting to flourish as advertised years ago. He will eventually be able to argue his claim as the best. I have never seen any player with the elite potential to play all 5 positions on the court & dominate all. Value,lol. When you play with the elite players in basketball & all lay it in your hands to dominate & win shows he wears some very large shoes. Get a great look as when he leaves the game it may be awhile before another as James lights up the hardwood. S
ReplyDeleteDefinitely - we'll see if Barnes can hold it together. As for James, I agree. He is a once in a lifetime-type player and an athletic monster.
DeleteNot bad choices but here are mine:
ReplyDelete2013 Awards:
MVP - Lebron
DPOY - Lebron
Coach of the year - Spo
6th man of the year - Ray Allen
Finals MVP - Lebron
Executive of the year - Pat Riley
Most Improved Player - Rashard Lewis
Definitely - we'll see if Barnes can hold it together. As for James, I agree. He is a once in a lifetime-type player and an athletic monster.
ReplyDeleteDo you like the Heat?
ReplyDelete