RealHoops Blog

It is Wednesday and as promised I am hitting you with the best NBA 1/4 review possible (although it is about 2 days late). This is one of the best NBA seasons in recent memory, as we have a competitive Eastern Conference, a stacked West (as usual) and some huge performances and stories from Seattle to Orlando. Let’s get this thing rolling.

Rookie of the Year

1. Kevin Durant - Silky smooth with a so-far terrible shot selection, but you can’t ignore the 20 ppg. Future superstar.
2. Al Horford - Rebounding machine and willing to do the dirty work. I see some all-star appearances in this guy’ future.
3. Yi Jianlian - Suprisingly good. I thought for sure this guy would end up just a victim on posters for the next couple of years, but he seems to be heading towards a solid career.

Sixth Man of the Year

1. Manu Ginobli - I hate this guy. Hate his flopping, bald spot, nose and whining. But the dude can ball.
2. Jose Calderon - His name sounds like a latin lover from Televivo, but he is the best backup PG in the league.
3. Leandro Barbosa - Quick as lightning Brazilian is having another great season.

Most Improved Player

1. Dwight Howard - Went from a beast to The Beast.
2. Chris Paul - The man in New Orleans might just be the best PG in the game now.
3. Andrew Bynum - Went from Kobe’s punchline to a key cog in the Laker’s season. He’s only getting better.

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Kevin Garnett - Changed Boston’s D into the best in the league, almost single-handedly
2. Dwight Howard - Upped the ante on D and on the boards, and is changing everyone’s shots in the lane.
3. Josh Smith - 3.5 blocks and 2 steals per game?? WHAT?

Coach of the Year

1. Jerry Sloan - Give this guy the award so everyone at ESPN can shut up about it.
2. Stan Van Gundy - Give the guy some credit. He got dumped by Pat Riley, didn’t even change states, and is coaching one of the best teams in the league.
3. Gregg Popovich - Meh, next topic.

The Most Disappointing Player

1. Eddy Curry - A useless, out-of-shape twit. And he’s worth $9,000,000/year. The NBA. Where amazing happens.
2. Shaq - One of the all-time greats reduced to this. It make’s me so sad. Shaq: retire so we can rememember you as the MDE.
3. Greg Oden - Why did you have to get injured?

The Ugliest Player Award

There can be only one. And his name is Sam Cassell.

MVP

Drumroll please………………………

1. Kevin Garnett - The leader of the best team in the league on both O and D. Changed the whole landscape of the NBA this season and is having another KG year: 20 pts , 11 rbs, 4 assts and almost 2 steals and 2 blocks per game (all in reduced minutes). An all-time player, Garnett’s game and intensity is a sight to behold.

2. Dwight Howard - I covered this guy with a whole post a couple of days back. Scroll the page.

3. Kobe Bryant - Not enough is being said about Kobe. Amid all the soap-opera storylines, he is finally doing what his critics have always asked of him: playing team ball. And how much credit is he getting? Zilch. This guy needs to get an MVP before his career is through. His numbers for the season: 27 pts, 6 rbs, 5 assts and 2 steals and block per game. His D is back. He ain’t Jordan but he is the closest we got.

4. Chris Paul - The new J-Kidd. This guy si carrying a bunch of suspect talent and racking up points and assists like no other PG this year. A great player and is only getting better (which is scary).

5. Stephen Jackson - Stop laughing. The most bad-ass captain in the league. He has already proved the team needs him around to win. His intensity and passion is crazy (I think Jackson is personally about 1 bad call away from killing someone) and his teammates love him. His numbers? 21 pts, 4 asts, 5 rebs and 2 steals. Nice.

 Thats it. Another season review comin at the halfway point.

Im out!