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Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Choice for 2011 Defensive Player: Dwight Howard




(Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic)

Looking at the 26 year old baby faced 6'11 center from the Orlando Magic, it remains hard to believe he has already been in the NBA for 6 years.  Coming right out of high school in 2004 and making the NBA finals in 2009, not to mention 2 Defensive player awards and 5 All-Star appearances, Howard still shows no signs of arrogance. 

Dwight Howard is one those players that you cannot bring yourself to hate no matter how hard you try, even if he just dropped 40 points on your home team.  He starts and ends every game with a smile, unless referees have chosen once again to make his life miserable by calling bad fouls and technicals on him, but otherwise carries himself like athletes of all sports should. 

No scandals, no trash talk, no dirty play, just all out hard work with tons of fan appreciation.  He reminds us that playing pro sports is a privilege earned through hard work and sacrifice and never takes putting a ball into a basket too seriously, as proven by his many on and off the court antics.

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

I hesitated choosing Howard for this award, which if he actually does win it, would make it his 3rd time in as many years.  I'm not a big fan of that sort of thing, but examples like Steve Nash who won the MVP 2 years in a row with good reason, simply means that we must give credit where credit is due.  By that rational, some would say Kobe Bryant should get the MVP every year because few could see the Lakers winning so many titles without him, but the truth is that some seasons are better than others for certain players. 

Coming back to Dwight Howard, over his 6 years pro he has averaged just under 13 rebounds, 9 of which were defensive and tops it with about 2 blocks per game.  But his size, presence and the fear he instills in opposing players is not recorded on the stat line.  Players think twice about trying to drive to the basket for lay ups or dunks and coaches have to prepare a specific game plan just to deal with the problems a player like Howard can create. 

This year Howard is 2nd in the NBA with around 14 rebounds per game and 3rd in blocks with 2 per game.  As I've always said, watching games while ignoring stats usually helps put into perspective just how much an affect a player has on his team and his opponents.  Getting caught up in stats, as we all often tend to, sometimes makes us feel like we know what happened during a game we didn't watch, and that is simply not true. 

Oklahoma City Thunder players Thabo Sefolosha and Serge Ibaka probably should share the award this year if Howard doesn't win it considering how they have played this year.  Their numbers might not be off the chart, but they more often than not force star players from opposing teams to give up the ball when facing them, in effect minimizing their opportunities to create stats from rebounds, blocks or steals.  The difference between them and Howard though, is that he does all of the above.

Monday, March 28, 2011

Choice for 2011 Most Improved Player: Kevin Love




(Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves)

Among all the U.S. participants in last summer's FIBA tournament, no player has shot down their critics more than Kevin Love.  After all, of all the players on Team USA, Kevin Love seemed to be the only one with critics in the first place.  Derrick Rose was always considered to be one day MVP, Russell Westbrook became a better all around player as most expected him to, but Kevin Love came into this season and went from being doubted to praised. 

I first started reading about Kevin Love from magazine excerpts, mostly which involved him defending himself against naysayers and the lack of confidence they had in his ability.  Not being one to follow the leader, I took it upon myself to see if this young man deserved this kind of negative attention.  Fortunately, I was able to watch the majority of Team USA games during the FIBA tournament and immediately knew the rumors had been false.  His ability to defend the rim during those summer games reminded me of players past who's goal was to defend and rebound, then if they could, score.  Personalities I think are becoming far and few between these days among the younger generation of players.

Most Improved Player:

Kevin Love, Minnesota Timberwolves

When breaking down Kevin Love's improvement this year, or any Most Improved Player for that matter, it's hard not to focus on the numbers.  True, the Timberwolves are no where near to making the playoffs, but Love's season success is supported by just that, numbers.  Entering the league out of UCLA in 2008, he averaged 11 points and 9 rebounds.  Decent numbers for a rookie.  The year after that, he improved to around 14 points and 11 rebounds per game.  A slight but noticeable improvement.  However, after winning gold in last year's FIBA tournament, he returned to the NBA dropping 20 points and grabbing 15 rebounds per game, had a 30 point 30 rebound game, made the West All-Star team, and would break NBA legend and champion Moses Malone's record of 51 straight double-doubles, with 52.  Moses Malone was honored with the 1979 MVP award that year. 

You would think that would be enough to to quiet the hate, but there is more.  Love is currently ranked #1 in Rebounds and ranked 16th in points scored.  In a league dominated by scoring guards with the likes of Kobe, Wade, Rose, Westbrook and Williams to name a few, that makes this 2nd year Power Forward's stat lines all the more impressive. 

Even if Kevin Love doesn't win the Most Improved Player award this year, there is no doubt that is exactly what he is.  As the saying goes, numbers don't lie.


Sunday, March 27, 2011

Choice for 2011 GM of the Year: Pat Riley


(General Manager Pat Riley and Head Coach Eric Spoelstra, Miami Heat)

When breaking down the top 5 NBA teams in each conference, I made the same observation many media and fans alike have have made also.  The power is shifting towards the East, or so it seems.  There are more teams with losing records in the East than in the West, and the East appears to be more top heavy than an overall dominant force. 

Only time will tell if that will change, but for now, that is the case.  The attention on the Miami Heat this summer was headed by LeBron James, but made possible by NBA legend Pat Riley.  Other General Managers made great moves over the summer, but none as big as getting franchise players LeBron James and Chris Bosh to join Dwayne Wade in Miami.

Executive of the Year:

Pat Riley, Miami Heat

Pat Riley is the kind of player, coach and executive that is know by all generations of basketball fans, likely for different reasons.  A legend in college basketball to some, an NBA champion as a player to others and 6 time champion as part of coaching staffs throughout his 44 year professional involvement with basketball.  Simply put, Pat Riley knows what he is doing and has been doing it for years.  Many have questioned, Dallas Mavericks GM Mark Cuban publicly, how legal the acquisition of the 2 new Heat players was during the 2010 summer free agency. 

In my opinion, nothing illegal was done, I personally believe that Pat Riley's credentials, James and Bosh being in smaller markets, James needing help and Bosh struggling to make the playoffs, could not turn down a sales pitch that had them living in beautiful Miami, a guaranteed shot at a title and the world watching their "greatness" unite with Dwayne Wade.  Maybe the city of Miami should be given the award and not Riley, most GMs would have been able to make that sales pitch successfully. 

In all seriousness though, the impressive part was getting them to agree to take much less money, share the ball a lot more, share the spotlight and at the same time become one of the most hated teams in sports history.  Not to mention having this combined All-Star talent lead by the youngest coach in the NBA, Eric Spoelstra.  The Miami Heat may not win the title this year or the one after that, but the assembly of this team in 2010 by Pat Riley makes him, in my opinion, the clear cut winner for the award.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Choice for 2011 Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau




(Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls)


When the season started out last October, and on into the beginning of 2011, a lot of media and fans were pointing to Jerry Sloan as the clear winner for this award.  Coach of the Utah Jazz for 23 years, part of 10 fifty win seasons and taking his team to the NBA Finals twice, it seemed he would be chosen as Coach of the Year based on his past accomplishments and what he was likely to accomplish this year. 

The true reason behind Jerry Sloan's sudden retirement will never be known, and even though Greg Poppovich's San Antonio Spurs hold the best record in the NBA as of today, former Boston Celtics defensive coach Tom Thibodeau is the obvious choice.


Coach of the Year:

Tom Thibodeau, Chicago Bulls

Tom Thibodeau was hired as the 2010-11 coach of the Chicago Bulls while still part of the Boston Celtics coaching staff during the 2009-10 NBA finals.  During what was possibly the most anticipated summer in sports free agency history, Tom Thibodeau had no idea if the 8th place 2009-10 Chicago Bulls would have added an elite player in Dwayne Wade or LeBron James, but he had no reason to worry, they already had Derrick Rose. 

The Bulls also had a young and energetic Joakim Noah's dominating presence under the basket and added 2 time All-Star Carlos Boozer from the Utah Jazz through free agency.  Long time Chicago Bull, Luol Deng, has seen his stats on a steady rise and with an efficient bench, scoring would not be a problem.  Tom Thibodeau knew this coming in and began turning the teams focus towards defense. 

Along with Celtitcs head coach Doc Rivers, it was Tom Thibodeau's defensive strategy that created the dominant defensive personality in Boston, turning them from a 24-58 team in 2007, to 66-16 champions in 2008.  As mentioned in my last post, the Bulls are second in the entire NBA when it comes to defensive efficiency. Proving that players are capable of adapting to Thibodeau's system quickly and that it truly works.. 

With Rose, Boozer, Noah and Deng combing for an average of 70 points per game you can see why the Bulls are now 1st place in the Eastern Conference this year.  With the greatest team turn around in the 10-11 season, along with it being his 1st year in Chicago, I can find little reason not to give the award to Tom.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Choice for 2011 MVP: Derrick Rose





(Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls)


With the NBA regular season coming to a close and the playoffs just around the corner, the league will soon hand out its awards to the players, coaches and executives they believe have made the greatest contribution to their team and community.

I won't try to predict any winners, but I will make known who I think is worthy of the highest regular season honor there is in the NBA.  Being chosen to an All-Star team does represent the love and admiration of the fans, which is great, however the awards such as the MVP are much more individualistic and say a lot about how winners are viewed by their peers. 

MVP (Most Valuable Player): 

Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls

This may seem like a cop out to those who follow the NBA media, but this choice is far from a bandwagon joy ride.  Derrick Rose, much like past MVP winner Kobe Bryant, has carried his team from last place in the playoff standings at 8th a year ago, to 1st place overall in the Eastern Conference expected to be dominated by the Heat and Celtics. 

It being only his 3rd year pro, Derrick Rose has done this with players far less popular than Shaq, Kevin Garnett, 3-point record holder Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh.  Derrick Rose finds himself among the top 10 in assists dishing out to players like Luol Deng and Carlos Boozer, all while still being able to score just under 25 points per game.  The Bulls currently stand at 51-19, with the 2nd place Boston and 3rd place Miami not far behind. 

It's not numbers alone that make Rose top contender for this award.  Watching him in action you can appreciate his speed, shot accuracy. great point guard decision making and ability to create plays from essentially nothing.  Part of the reason he is playing at a such a high level may have something to do with his participation in the FIBA Tournament last summer.  He unlike most players did not take the summer off.  Other notable players showing much improvement this season such as Kevin Love, Kevin Durrant  and Russell Westbrook all participated in the world basketball championship, ultimately winning the Gold Medal. 

The Bulls defensive will be explored later when I discuss my choice for coach of the year, but in short they are 2nd in the entire NBA when it comes to defensive efficiency.  That includes points allowed, opponents rebounds, steals and blocks.

Honorable Mention: 
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Kevin Durrant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Past Winners:
LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash Kevin Garnett, Tim Duncan