Attention all NBA watchers in the world, the 2009 NBA All-Star game is right around the corner and its time to look at players who are leading the categories for Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Most Improved Player, Rookie Of The Year and Sixth Man Of The Year.Most Valuable Player
1. LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: For those that have doubted the King's inability to have a consistent jump shot, you may need to re-think your comments. Everyone in the world knows that his extraordinary talent of attacking the basket will never leave him, but LeBron has added to his game. LeBron's consistency of his jump shot from mid-range and from three has made him an even stronger force.
The Cavaliers have the second best record in the NBA at 30-6 and continue to dominate at the Quicken Loans Arena where they are 19-0. James is averaging 27.7 ppg, 6.6 apg, 6.6 rpg and the King is shooting 50.8 % from the field. Oh and I almost forgot about LeBron's 38 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals and 3 blocks against the defending NBA champion Boston Celtics on Jan. 9th.
The players that follow LeBron in the MVP race are Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (29.0 ppg, 7.1 apg, 5.1 rpg) and Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers (27.0 ppg, 4.6 apg, 5.3 rpg). Also watch for New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
Defensive Player Of The Year
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: When your nickname is Superman, you should be able to do it all. Offensively Howard is a bully with his 20 points and 13 rebounds a night, but defensively he is the anchor in the paint for the Orlando Magic. Even though the Eastern Conference lacks true big men that can dominate, Howard's imposing presence creates problems for opponents who dare to come in the lane. On the year so far, Howard is averaging 3.22 blocks per game and 9.4 defensive rebounds per game.
The Magic opponents are shooting 42% from the field which isn't too good if you understand the game of basketball. The Magic lead the Southeast Division at 31-8
Players that follow Howard for the Defensive Player Of The Year race are Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics (9.2 rpg and 1.9 bpg) and Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat (2.3 spg and 1.6 bpg)
Most Improved Player
1.Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers: If I were a coach in the NBA, Danny Granger would be making the All-Star team, no questions asked! Granger has elevated his play since opening night and the NBA is watching. In the 07-08 NBA season Granger averaged 19.6 ppg and 2.1 apg, but this year Granger has increased his scoring (26.4 ppg) and he's dishing the ball out more (3.4 apg). In only his third NBA season, Granger has taken over games with his deadly jump shot frustrating opponents.
Even though the Pacers are in last place of the Central Division (14-25), Granger has solidified himself as an All-Star this season and hopefully seasons to come.
Players that follow behind Granger in the Most Improved Player watch are Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets (22.7 ppg, 6.5 apg) and Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic (16.6 ppg, 5.3 apg, FG% 50, 3P% 45).
Sixth Man Of The Year
1. Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks: "The Jet" is still flying high with his 20.5 ppg and 46% shooting from the field. The 9 year NBA veteran has provided a spark from the bench for the Dallas Mavericks this season. Terry, who has been a starter for most of his career, made the transition to the bench for the betterment of the Mavericks. When starter Josh Howard went down with a wrist injury, Mavericks head coach Rick Carlise inserted Terry into the starting line-up. Terry didn't disappoint as he dropped 33 points on the Sacramento Kings on Jan. 11th. Look for Terry to continue his bench production as the season goes on for the Mavericks.
Players that follow behind Jason Terry for Sixth Man Of The Year are Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs (15 ppg, 3.6 apg) and Charlie Villanueva, Milwaukee Bucks (13.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg)
Rookie Of The Year
1. O.J. Mayo, Memphis Grizzlies: Um excuse me..more Mayo Please. O.J. Mayo has been a very solid contributor in his rookie season, helping Rudy Gay with scoring and leadership duties. Mayo is averaging 19.3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, he shots 44% from the field and 38% from three. The kid who was bred for the NBA his whole life is living up to expectations that many have of him. Consistency has allowed Mayo to rise above fellow top picks Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley. The Grizzlies sit at the bottom of the Southwest Division with an 11-27 record.
Players that follow Mayo in the Rookie race are Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls (16.9 ppg, 6.3 apg) and Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder (14.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 4.9 apg)
As the NBA season continues, players may elevate their games and their teams. Look for spots to change in these categories because there are many games to be played.
Be Peaceful
4 comments:
CJ,
Good read! I almost thought you knew what you was talking bout til I got down to the ROY. I just cant see Mayo winning that over Rose at this moment right now. Mayo's scoring may be higher, but Rose plays the toughest position in the game, his overall impact has been felt by his team. Numbers will not tell the whole story. I'll admit, I had Mayo as the ROY before the season started, he did seem the most NBA-ready player in the draft (still confused on how Minny tweeked on that but this comes from the same team that gave up Brandon Roy for Randy Foye, signed Joe Smith under the table and traded KG.) As far as the other awards, they seem pretty clear cut right now! LeBron might be the most physically perfect basketball player of all time....so expect for him 2 retire with 6 MVPs, should be more but we all know they jagged him in 2005?? so they could let S. Nash get it for whatever reason! Danny Granger should be an All Star starter, he ballin that well! Cant believe he played in the MVC for a little bit! Good thing he transferred, we see how things have turned out for Patrick O'bryant! LOL...and I truly believe that Jason Terry's # will either fade or he may have to start too many games for him to be considered for the 6th man, with Dallas being out of the playoff seedings for now, a midseason roster change is inevitable! CJ, whats your take on this All-Star voting man??? Vince Carter and Yao Ming starting these games must be put to a halt, they not even the best players on their respective teams! Wassup with this man?? The NBA cant be this thirsty for all of China to cast they votes for Yao and Yi!!!
Thanks for the comment D'Wayne.
The reason I chose Mayo as the R.O.Y. is because of his consistency, Rose has slipped a little bit in the month of December and January. I believe that its due to over-working the young phenom and demanding too much of him in his rookie year. I love my Bulls and Derrick Rose, but Chicago needs to make a trade to help the Bulls and take some of the pressure off of Derrick Rose.
The Bulls now have Kirk Hinrich back and Luol Deng looks to be improving his disapponting season.
Mayo is more relaxed in Memphis because they don't have to demand that much of him. The Grizzlies have Rudy Gay, Kyle Lowery and other players that can take some of the pressure off of O.J. Mayo. Even though Minnesota went brain dead once again, the Grizzlies aren't complaining about.
This is just a mid-season prediction and hopefully Rose can turn up his gear a little more.
As for the NBA All-Star voting.. let me woo-sah a few times. I really dislike the NBA allowing the fans to vote. I understand that the league wants the fans to feel apart of the NBA, but its starting to get ridiculous now.
Yao Ming will be an ALL-Star every year, even if he gets injured on opening night of the NBA and can't play for the rest of the season. China has his back until Yao calls it quits. Players like Danny Granger, who is having an astounding season, may not make the all-star team.
Players that stick out to me that don't deserve all-star considerations are Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Luke Ridnour, etc. All three of these players are great players (except for Ridnour), but inorder to be an all-star you have to put up all-star numbers. None of these players have done that this season, but they still get the vote from fans.
To me its frustrating, but my name isn't David Stern. I believe things will change when it comes to fans voting for the all-star game, I hope.
CJ,
Good point on Mayo and Rose. But I think highly doubt that Pax will make a trade to get some help, even though they have more than enough guards to get rid of. But the problem is, theyre not really tradeable. Larry Hughes just isnt good trade bait anymore, even though I like his game, just not his shot selection. But the games I did see him play so far, he hasn't looked so bad. Its crazy he getting DNPs-Coach's Decision already! The Bulls will forever remain an enigma and they will be reaping the lack of a big man for giving up on lets count em 1)Elton Brand, 2)Tyson Chandler, 3)Eddy Curry(wassup with his story!!!! Chi-town getting a bad rap with celebs, hell even Marcus Fizer could help the Bulls at this point!! But thats enough about the Forever Baby Bulls. And i'm sure this will be the first and last time in the history of life that Luke Ridnour will be mentioned in the same breath as AI, TMac and VC! LOL
D'Wayne,
I strongly believe that John Paxson will make a trade before the All-Star break. Paxson knows that there is an outcry in Chicago to bring in more help for our fantastic rookie Derrick Rose. With Kirk Hinrich back, the Bulls can try to whip up a deal with another NBA team. The Bulls need low post scoring within their team and I believe Paxson understands that.
Larry Hughes has already expressed his discomfort with the minutes that he's getting from head coach Vinny Del Negro. Even though Hughes has brought solid play at times and he's also won a game or two with his shooting ability, but his selfish attitude has surfaced because he wants to be a starter. Hughes days in Chicago are numbered and he knows it.
My apologies for mentioning Luke Ridnour in the same sentence as Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Vince Carter. If Ridnour makes the All-Star team(lets hold our breath), then it will be the first and only time he will make it.
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