Co-Written By Johnny Rockets
In case you didn’t notice, there will be no NBA Power Rankings this week. Replacing the rankings this week, will be the NBA Midseason awards. As usual all comments, beefs, complaints, whines, moans, and groans are appreciated. Enjoy!!
NBA MVP
Steve Nash-Phoenix Suns.
This one’s too easy. Everything that has happened good in Phoenix has been because of Steve Nash. The Suns average 110 ppg because of Nash. The Suns are 42-13 because of Nash. There was a sunny day in Phoenix because of Nash. You get the point.
Runner Up
Lebron James-Cleveland Cavaliers
Rookie of the year
Emeka Okafor-Charlotte Bobcats
Since these awards are based on the 1st half of the season, Okafor is the choice right now. Barely. If Gordon maintains his February numbers for the remainder of the season, the he’ll take the ROY from his former teammate.
Runner Up
Ben Gordon-Chicago Bulls
Coach of the Year
Scott Skiles-Chicago Bulls
Nobody and I mean nobody had the Bulls being competitive this season. The Bulls are 3 games above .500 and are showing no signs of becoming the Unbeara-Bulls anytime soon. Scott Skiles has definitely put the win back in Windy City.
Runner Up
Nate McMillan-Seattle Supersonics
Sixth Man of the Year
Ben Gordon-Chicago Bulls
Ben Gordon is the difference maker on his team. Who is taking and making all the big shots during the Bulls games? Exactly. Compare his points per 48 minutes (30.1) with that of runner up Jerry Stackhouse (24) and there really is no comparison.
Runner Up
Jerry Stackhouse-Dallas Mavericks
Comeback Player of the year
Grant Hill-Orlando Magic
I really don’t have to explain this one do I? Anybody that has compared Grant Hill to Ken Griffey Jr, knows what I’m talking about. Not even close. As a matter of fact, Grant gets the runner up as well.
Runner Up
Grant Hill….Told you
All NBA 1st Team
G Steve Nash-Phoenix Suns
MVP candidates get the 1st team. Period.
G Allen Iverson-Philadelphia 76ers
AI is having a career year as he continues to carry the Sixers. With Chris Webber, Philly should get more wins. That could mean more MVP talk.
F Lebron James-Cleveland Cavaliers
25 ppg, 7rebs, 7asts. The triple double season is 2 years away. Skip the juiced homerun record. Screw Ichiro banging grounders through the infield. And forget about Peyton and the TD pass record. The triple double season will be it.
F Amare Stoudemire-Phoenix Suns
Sorry to Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan but Amare is the man right here. I don’t care if Amare is listed as a center, he is a Power Forward. And statistically speaking, he is the best Power Forward in the league.
C Shaquille O’Neal-Miami Heat
He gets this by default. Don’t get me wrong, Shaq is having a good year. But if I counted Jermaine O’Neal or Amare Stoudemire as centers, then Shaq would be like Chris Berman in a thong. Ass Out.
Most Overrated player
Yao Ming-Houston Rockets
This year’s leading vote getter for the All-Star game is 7-6 and weighs 310lbs. He isn’t in the top 20 for scoring or rebounds. See the problem. The only difference between Yao (18 ppg, 8rbds) and Zydrunas Ilgauskas (17 ppg and 8 rbds) is that Ilguaskas doesn’t have China in his corner filling up the ballot box. Troy Murphy, PJ Brown, and Kurt Thomas all have more double doubles than Yao.
Runner Up
Kenyon Martin-Denver Nuggets
Most Underrated player
Josh Howard-Dallas Mavericks
He barely gets this award. He gets zero pub playing with Dirk, Stack, and Fin. He doesn’t even have a nickname yet. But he’s averaging 12ppg and almost 7 rebounds, and is by far their best defensive player.
Runner Up
Jason Richardson-Golden State Warriors
Most Surprising Teams
Surprising Good Team
Seattle Supersonics
Go grab any NBA preseason magazine and you will see exactly why the Sonics are the most surprising. I am positive that not one of those magazines have them winning the Northwest. Right now they lead by 11 games. I bet most of the magazines have them dead last.
Runner Up
Chicago Bulls
Surprising Bad Team
Minnesota Timberwolves
I know we didn’t expect them to win the West again but playing .500 ball is shocking. If they miss the playoffs, then Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell should owe somebody some money. The fact those guys survived the trading deadline boggles my mind.
Runner Up
Utah Jazz