The Starting Five

(AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

You see that dude right there? He means business. He’s tired of playing with ya’ll. He’s tired of being disrespected by younger cats with no shine, hardware or scoring titles on their byline. He doesn’t want to do it alone, but if he has to? Murder. He is the only player (Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade are junior, junior junior distant) in the NBA I personally want taking my last shot…the big shot with zeros on the shot clock, game clock or June clock. The only one I want whose finger tips are pointing to the ground after the quack quack wrist snaps Black.

But…

He ain’t a rookie is he? Nah, but this guy is:

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose

(AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

’08-’09 Stats
PPG	16.9
RPG	3.6
APG	6.3
SPG	0.8
BPG	0.2
FG%	0.472
FT%	0.784
3P%	0.263
MPG	36.8

The Bulls aren’t having a great season and if O.J. Mayo were on a better team he might be that dude here, but because the Bull Wonder shot into the league and took command of his hometown team, he gets the nod for mid-season ROY. Just imagine growing up in the Chi and seeing Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen bring the ball up the floor when BJ wasn’t. The impression made on all of us became Pooh. Mayo you say? The pg position is the most difficult to learn in the NBA and if you compare Mayo to Rose, it’s obvious whose job is much easier. Mayo has been fantastic up to this point as well, but the nod has to go to number 1.

2. O.J. Mayo

3. Russell Westbrook

4. Brook Lopez

5.  Michael Beasley

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Defensive Player of the Year: LeBron James

(AP Photo/Mark Duncan)

’08-’09 Stats
PPG	28.5
RPG	7.5
APG	7.0
SPG	1.8
BPG	1.2
FG%	0.491
FT%	0.775
3P%	0.302
MPG	37.7

Before the Olympics, I asked LeBron what he would bring back from Beijing and the brotha half looked at me crazy. It’s cool though, because we all know what the answer is and it’s his attention to defense. LeBron, the first half DPY, learned how to get dirty playing with and against the elite players in the world. He wasn’t the only superstar, so he was diving, scrambling and scraping to make sure USA came back with the gold. Much props to ya brotha. How many times this season have you seen LBJ flash into the frame with a help block hard off the glass? Becoming a better defender will give him more historical value and it starts with the hardware he will receive at the end of this season in his path to be the best.

2. Kevin Garnett

3. Josh Smith

4. Dwight Howard

5. Kobe Bryant

*****************

Most Improved Player: Devin Harris

(AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)

’08-’09 Stats
PPG	21.8
RPG	3.2
APG	6.5
SPG	1.6
BPG	0.2
FG%	0.441
FT%	0.819
3P%	0.316
MPG	35.8

The last time New Jerz was in Philly, I told VC he was my MIP. I told him so because I saw a fire in Vince’s eyes unnoticeable before this season. Sports mortality is speaking to him in just that way and the passion has returned to make his game relevant once again. At least he has someone solid to pass it to.

Sorry brotha, but I gotta pass your hardware to the left. Yeah, your left…

Devin Harris is mad with the rock. He’s a good dude to talk to when Nets pr ain’t hatin’, but on the floor, you better get down or lay down. Seems like that controversial Dallas trade gave him a new lease. Well in NJ, the leash has been taken off and so has his considerable ball skills. Skills that make him the first half MIP. Even with Allen Iverson in the East, right now I would go with Devin Harris as the best pg in the conference. Think of Monte Ellis on chill from the right coast and there you have number 34.

2. Nene

3. Rajon Rondo

4. Danny Granger

5. Paul Milsap

*******************

Coach of the Year: Mike Brown

Career Averages		REGULAR SEASON			POST SEASON
YEAR	TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	PCT	WINS	LOSSES	PCT
2005-06	Cleveland	50	32	.610	7	6	.538
2006-07	Cleveland	50	32	.610	12	8	.600
2007-08	Cleveland	45	37	.549	7	6	.538
2008-09	Cleveland	40	11	.784	0	0	.000
TOTALS		185	112	.623	26	20	.565

I remember when many basketball fans–Cleveland fans included–wanted Mike Brown fired. Look at his stats above. Would you fire a coach with these stats out of the box? Obviously, Brown’s superiors know they have a decent coach, or he would have been gone by now. Yeah, the Cavs had a little hiccup last season record wise. but Brown and his staff now own the best home record in the lig and are on pace to win 60 games. He’s the second youngest coach (Frank NJ) in the NBA and preaches defense, defense, defense–a philosophy attained under the tutelage of Greg Pop in San Antonio. Of course, having one of the best young players of all time helps, but this team goes as far as Brown…the first half Coach of the Year…takes them. He wore that $25,000 fine because he’s a player’s coach. Can he become the objective coach he needs to become to get his team over the top is the question.

2. Stan Van Gundy

3. Nate McMillian

4. Phil Jackson

5. Eric Spoelstra

************************

Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

’08-’09 Stats
PPG	27.7
RPG	5.6
APG	5.0
SPG	1.3
BPG	0.4
FG%	0.475
FT%	0.869
3P%	0.350
MPG	36.5

I picked Flash for my season MVP and LeBron is having his best season overall, but how can any sports writer in his right mind pick anyone over Kobe Bryant? He’s as close to Mike as we ahve seen and we have be blessed for it. Yeah the Lakes have swept Boston and Cleveland, but they themselves have been swept by Orlando. None of that is material at this stage in the season. It’s obvious Los Angeles wants it more than any team right now so they are gonna have that extra umph no matter if they are home or on the road. The difference maker is Black Mamba. He put the league on notice splashing in 61, but the Lakers have lost one game since wunderkind Andrew Bynum went down and smoke fire is flowing through Bean’s veins. LeBron or Flash or Dwight Howard still might win this award in June, but for right now? Kobe Bryant is the NBA’s MVP. Forget all the points he’s about to give to the league raw, check how his defense steps up in the clutch.

2. LeBron James

3. Dwyane Wade

4. Dwight Howard

5. Chauncey Billups

**************************

Team of the Year: Los Angeles Lakers 42-10

Another interesting quote from Kobe came when I asked him what he would change about the NBA. Here’s what he said: “I’d like to see the game being more physical. I think that’s one thing that’s missing. European basketball is actually a lot more physical than anything. I’d like to see them go back to the 80s rules and allow more contact. Players use more contact, are more physical with more defensive accountability on an individual basis.”

Was Kobe giving his team a subliminal message? Defensive intensity in the clutch is what will give this deep and talented team the June shine they so covet. If they don’t have it, the East will rise once again. Phil Jackson isn’t used to losing NBA Finals, so trust he’ll have this team reading all kinds of books–relevant and not–in preparation for the playoffs.

At the midway point, the Los Angeles Lakers are the NBA’s top team.

2. Boston Celtics 44-11

3. Cleveland Cavaliers 40-11

4. San Antonio Spurs 35-16

5. Denver Nuggets 36-17

**************************

Marques Johnson Award: Joe Johnson

(Getty Images)

’08-’09 Stats
PPG	21.6
RPG	4.4
APG	6.1
SPG	1.1
BPG	0.3
FG%	0.433
FT%	0.805
3P%	0.344
MPG	39.8

Coming out of Arkansas, Joe Johnson has built a nice career based on consistency and professionalism. The 10th pick (Boston) in the 2001 draft has been one of the best in the L for years, but seems to fly under the radar no matter who he suits up for. His floor personality is silent but absolutely murderous. Seeing his game up close, you will notice how much more talented he is than most of his peers. A couple of writers and I were talking in press row last season, and most of us agreed there are few players who would make more of an impact on the young Hawks as Johnson has since coming over from Phoenix via sign and trade (Boris Diaw, two conditional draft picks). Marques Johnson and more recently, Mitch Richmond come to mind as players comparatively talented, but mad unassuming despite his overall immense skill set. Could you imagine if he played for the C’s now? My goodness.

2. David West

3. Danny Granger

4. Derron Williams

5. Al Thorton

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