Midseason NBA Awards
-Derek : @Barnstorm_Derek
2/08/2013
Time sure flies when you’re having fun. It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the mid-point of the NBA season yet here we are. There have been some nice surprises like the Bulls being on pace for a 50 win season sans Derrick Rose and Mark Jackson getting the Warriors to play defense and turning them into a legitimate playoff team. There have been some not so nice surprises; the Lakers first half doldrums and the injury plagued Timberwolves are the first that come to mind. We’ve seen the Brooklyn Nets hype train derail and then hop back on the tracks, we’ve seen the Knicks play their best basketball since Ewing, Reggie and Spike Lee were inhabiting the Garden and we’ve seen LeBron James and the Miami Heat basically coast to the best record in the Eastern Conference.1
So, as promised here are my NBA Awards for the half-season:
Most Improved Player:
1. Paul George
I already had this typed up even before he went toe to toe with LeBron as the Pacers downed the Heat just a few nights ago. With Granger out, George has taken the right steps to become the leader of his team. He’s their best defender, can guard anybody 1-5, has developed a well-rounded offensive game and made a lot of big shots.
2. Jrue Holiday
3. Greivis Vasquez
4. LARRY SANDERS!!!2
5. Nikola Vucevic
Photo Courtesy of Lpdrew via Wikimedia Commons
Rookie of the Year:
1. Damian Lillard
With an impressive 1st half, he has contributed to the Blazers being in the thick of the playoff hunt out west. He has more help than most rookies, but he’s still my Rookie of the first-half.
2. Anthony Davis
3. Andre Drummond
4. Bradley Beal
5. Dion Waiters