NBA - End of the Season Awards

Rookie of the Year: Tyreke Evans

It's really hard to decide between Evans and his fellow rookie Stephen Curry and this was our most debated category. Evans has been consistently putting up great numbers on a struggling Kings team. Though his critics would say that anybody can put up numbers on a bad team, Tyreke is only the 4th rookie to average at least 20 points, 5 assists and 5 rebounds in a season. On the other hand, in terms of efficiency ratings, Curry has been the better of the two since mid-season.  So in the end it really comes down to what you weigh more, and in the end Evans just edged out Curry for our vote.

2nd. Stephen Curry
3rd. 5 way tie: Darren Collison, Marcus Thornton, Brandon Jennings, Dejuan Blair, and Ty Lawson

Coach of the Year: Scott Brooks

As EDISAD columnist Michelle told me when voting on this category, it is often hard to discern whether this season for the Thunder is more a result of good coaching or the emergence of MVP caliber play from Kevin Durant. But something must be said for the ability to harness such raw talent in his young players and have them withstand the test of the hyper-competitive Western conference. He took a team that won 23 games last year, really only added a sixth man in James Harden and turned them into a dangerous 8th seed in the NBA playoffs. If they could surprise a struggling Laker team in the first round, Brooks; name would be one of legend.

2nd. Alvin Gentry
3rd. Scott Skiles

Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard

I think fellow writer Marcus put it best in that it's a wonder how anybody could vote anybody but Superman II for this award. Not only has Howard led the league in rebounds and blocks for back-to-back seasons now, he also single-handedly alters anybody's thought of getting in the paint when up against Orlando. Howard is so good at the defensive end that he can take a mediocre defensive team like the Magic (who else on that team inspires the term lockdown defender?) and make them the number one team in defensive efficiency.

2nd. LeBron James
3rd. Gerald Wallace

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James


So I guess the only question in this race is who is going to come in second because this was a lock since the All Star Break. I my opinion anyone that votes for anyone else with their first vote should have their voting privileges revoked for at least 5 years. As almost an unstoppable scoring machine, James dominates the court in a way that has never been seen before. His passing ability and athleticism allows him to orchestrate the game any way he sees fit. James also inspires the respect and admiration of his teammates, even Shaq was OK playing second fiddle to the King. Here's hoping he moves a little farther East this summer....

2nd. Kevin Durant
3rd. Dwight Howard

And to save your eyes, we'll move to list format the rest of the awards including the All NBA and All Rookie Teams:

Sixth Man of the Year: Anderson Varejao, Runner Up - Jamal Crawford

All Rookie Team:


G - Tyreke Evans
G - Stephen Curry
F - Marcus Thornton
F - Taj Gibson
C - Dejuan Blair

All NBA Team:


G - Dwyane Wade
G - Kobe Bryant
F - Kevin Durant
F - LeBron James
C - Dwight Howard