As the 2008-2009 NBA season wraps up tonite, I am handing out my end of the season awards today. My pre-season picks of Boston and New Orleans meeting up in the finals is still a possibility...just not a strong possibility. The 2008-2009 season saw a dramatic shift in power going East to teams like the Cavaliers, Celtics and the Magic. Kobe and the Lakers quietly won 60+ games and looked poised to possibly redeem themselves for losing the title last season. The playoffs begin saturday...this should get interesting.
MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
This is the first unanimous MVP since Jordan won it for the last time back in '98. LeBron took his game to black hole levels this season. James is averaging 28.4 pts, 7.6 rebs and 7.2 asst a game right now...and that still doesn't do him any justice. LeBron has lead the sorry Cleveland Cavaliers to 60+ wins, the one seed in the East AND homecourt throughout the playoffs! All of this with (minus point guard Mo Williams) a group of total clowns. If Cleveland did not have LeBron, they would not even sniff the playoffs and would simply find themselves battling the Washington Wizards for the draft lottery and hopefully 1st pick in 2009 NBA Draft.
Simply put, LeBron James is a lock for this MVP award. He will likely win his 1st NBA title this season and next season will be his final in a Cavs uniform...so enjoy it Cleveland, this is going to be it for another 50 years or so.
Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Derrick Rose entered the league as the 1st pick in the 2008 NBA Draft with high expectations on a slumping Chicago Bulls teams. Rose, who is averaging 16.8 pts and 6.3 asst a game right now, has not looked like, or played like a rookie all season. Rose has helped to lead the Bulls back into the playoffs as a 6th seed in the Eastern conference.
6th Man of the Year: Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
Jason Terry has been coming off the bench and averaging 19.5 pts a game, helping the Mavs to a 50 win season and holding onto the 7th seed in the West.
Most Improved Player: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
The Portland Trailblazers are probably wanting a "do over" in regards to the 2007 NBA Draft. Kevin Durant showed glimmers of greatness in his rookie year but it wasn't until this season that he blew up. Durant had a standout season and is averaging 25.3 pts and 6.5 assists a game, all while playing for the lowly OKC Thunder. Kevin Durant is going to be a force in the league for quite some time, his sophomore season shall stand as a testament to that.
Coach of the Year: Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic
With 58 wins and the 3rd seed in the Eastern Conference locked up, Stan Van Gundy has proven that he is a head coach that knows how to win. The Orland Magic could easily be fighting for the 7th or 8th seed in the East right now if they did not have the leadership of Stan Van Gundy.
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