NBA Awards of the First Two Weeks of the Season
It is never too early to start the discussion for end of the season awards. And through the first ten games or so we get a pretty good idea at how the NBA will pan out. As such, here are my awards through the first two weeks of the NBA season:
MVP = Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets
Carmelo’s play has been nothing short of outstanding. So far this year it appears that he has stepped up his game from a second class star into the upper echelon consisting of LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade. Carmelo was the major reason the Nuggets have gotten out to such a great start. His 30.2 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 2.9 APG have been absolutely key as to why Denver has exploded out to the best record their club has seen in years. If he can keep this up, expect a return trip to the Western Conference Finals for the Nuggets.
Close But No Cigar = Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat
Defensive Player of the Year = Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics
Allowing more than 90 points only once so far this season, the Celtics have surged to an 8-1 record. The best player on the best defensive team should be rewarded for this honor. Rondo’s 2.3 RPG and 3.0 SPG do not tell the entire story. He is literally the brain of the league’s best defensive unit – which certainly counts for something in my book. Rajon has taken over Kevin Garnett’s position as the quarterback of a tenacious defense. The Celtics’ unity as a team has been completely held together by Rondo. And he’s really stepping up his leadership skills, relieving Garnett from a great deal of the pressure he has been undertaking.
Close But No Cigar = Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic
Rookie of The Year = Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks
Life has miraculously been pumped into Milwaukee Bucks’ basketball with the arrival of Brandon Jennings. Bucks fans now have a reason to be excited about watching the Bucks because Jennings is running away with this award. So far Jennings has produced highlight after highlight en route to a 20.7 PPG average to go along with 5.2 APG and 4.3 RPG. Brandon has literally carried the Bucks to a 4-2 record and has proved that a down year in Italy didn’t hold him back. He is living up to the promise of his number one high school recruit status.
Close But No Cigar = Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets, Toney Douglas of the New York Knicks, Johnny Flynn of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Tyreke Evans of the Sacramento Kings
6th Man of The Year = Al Harrington of the New York Knicks
The Knicks should only be really happy about the pleasant surprise in Toney Douglas, Al Harrington’s stellar play off the bench and the upcoming 2010 free agent class. Since being moved to the bench Al has managed to keep his play at a high level. In fact, Al dropped 42 points when he came off the bench for the first time this season. If he keeps up his averages of 19.2 PPG and 6.2 RPG he will probably stay at the top of the list. It does help that he gets 32 minutes a game off the bench, though.
Close But No Cigar = Manu Ginobli of the San Antonio Spurs and Rasheed Wallace of the Boston Celtics
Coach Of the Year = Eric Spoelstra
With his cast of rag-tag players and Dwyane Wade, Spoelstra has guided the Heat to a 6-2 record. In a year in which the Heat were pegged as taking a step backwards, Spoelstra has them eying a top seed. His chances may be boosted even further if Wade can keep up his excellent play.
Close But No Cigar = Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics and George Karl of the Denver Nuggets
