NBA Awards

After another exciting year of basketball, David & James are tackling the hottest questions. Predictions on all NBA awards!!

Most Valuable Player:

David: LeBron James (MIA) – The obvious choice. Chris Paul should also be noted, the Clippers would be nowhere without him, but it’s hard to argue with the season LeBron and the Heat have had.

James: LeBron James (MIA) – I don’t think you can go with anyone else. Melo and Paul might take a vote or two but LeBron is the most complete player we have ever seen. 

Rookie of the Year:

David: Damian Lillard (POR) – Led all rookies in scoring and assists while providing the Blazers with another legitimate threat alongside LaMarcus Aldridge to build for the future. He is an up and coming star to watch.

James: Damian Lillard (POR) – Lillard was an absolute monster for the Trail Blazers this year. He was brilliant scoring and passing the ball. I think we have a star!

Sixth Man of the Year:

David: J.R. Smith (NYK) –  Led all 6^th men in points per game at 18.1 (a new career high for him) and provided a much-needed spark down the stretch for the Knicks.

James: J.R. Smith (NYK) – David and I agree 3 for 3 thus far. Smith came into the season with a new attitude and it showed. Smith has always been a score first player, this year he learned how to be more efficient. It should be added that Jamal Crawford was the run away leader at the all star break.

Defensive Player of the Year: 

David: Larry Sanders (MIL) –  Finished 2^nd in the league in blocked shots (2.83 bpg) and 12^th in rebounding (9.5 rpg); better player than many expected him to be coming out of VCU.

James: Serge Ibaka (OKC) – I may be alone in voting for Ibaka, who should have won the award last year, but he was yet again a monster on defense.

Most Improved Player of the Year: 

David: James Harden (HOU) – We all knew he had superstar potential, but a 10 ppg increase in only 7 additional minutes per game on a new team showed the world just how good he is, not to mention averaging nearly 6 assists and 2 steals per game.

James: Paul George (IND) – I am with David on voting for Harden but George finally showed what he was made of. He played outstanding this season and even had some great games against Lebron James.

Coach of the Year:

David: George Karl (DEN) – The Nuggets (57-25) finished one game out of 2^nd and 3 games out of first in the Western Conference. With that roster, no one saw that coming, but their entertaining and hard-working style ran teams off the court at times this year.

James: George Karl (DEN) –  I am just echoing David. Karl had his boys playing team ball week in and week out.

All NBA First Team

David: Chris Paul (LAC), Kobe Bryant (LAL), LeBron James (MIA), Kevin Durant (OKC), Tim Duncan (SA)

James: Chris Paul (LAC), Lebron James (MIA), Carmelo Anthony (NY), Kevin Durant (OKC), Marc Gasol (MEM)

All NBA Breakout Team

David: James Harden (HOU), Paul George (IND), Brook Lopez (BKN), Damian Lillard (POR), Larry Sanders (MIL)

James: Russell Westbrook (OKC), Stephen Curry (GSW), James Harden (HOU), Paul George (IND), Brook Lopez (BKN)

All NBA Disappointment Squad

David: Nicolas Batum (POR), Andrew Bynum (PHI), Jeremy Lin (HOU), Darren Collison (DAL), Rodney Stuckey (DET)

James: Andrew Bynum (PHI), Dwight Howard (LAL), Jeremy Lin (HOU), Eric Gordon (NOP), Evan Turner (PHI)

Most Disappointing Team

David: Los Angeles Lakers –  All of the hype coming into the season was foiled by injuries, coaching changes, and a lack of chemistry. They are lucky to even be in the playoffs and are a lock for a first round exit without Kobe Bryant against the Spurs.

James: Los Angeles Lakers – This is the only choice. My NBA Championship pick (you would think I would learn teams dont win in the offseason) flopped. I don’t think anyone saw this coming.

Biggest Surprise

David: The Spurs have done it again – Year after year they appear to be too old, not enough support around their big 3, etc. Yet here they are again, 2^nd in the Western Conference, and primed for a playoff run if Manu Ginobili can get healthy.

James: The Clippers Win the Division – Last year, Chris Paul helped the Clippers turn the corner. This year, he took them to another level. Lob City was tremendous to watch this year. They are talented, deep and just so fun to watch.

NBA Finals Matchup & Champion:

David: Miami Heat v Oklahoma City Thunder –  Miami in 5, could even be a sweep. Securing home court allowed their bench to get in rhythm and their starters to get healthy. A repeat for the Heat is all but a guarantee.

James: Miami Heat v Oklahoma City Thunder – Thunder in 7. I don’t really see anyone beating the Heat 4 times but maybe this is wishful thinking. While they might be missing Harden (maybe a little), Durant and Westbrook have both elevated their games.