Arnold
Spennies
Sports InsiderNBA Award Predictions.
December 4th 2007 13:08
Recently, Sports Insider, who is the other writer for NBALOUD put forward his picks for the major awards in the Association thus far. Well, it would only be fair that this writer should also put his neck on the line and make his predictions for the various plaudits the NBA gives out to its players.
Let’s start off with what we do agree with, and that is Manu Ginobili as the Sixth Man of the Year. This is a given, especially considering how well El Loco is playing coming off the bench. No, one even comes close.
Now, let’s move onto the more juicy part of this post. Besides El Loco as the best bench player, Sports Insider and, I, have differing choices for every other award available. Hey, this would be a pretty boring world if we all agreed on the same things.
Most Valuable Player: Dwight Howard
Kevin Garnett and LeBron James are definitely big time choices to take out the MVP, but for my mind, Dwight Howard is right now standing above all others.
What Orlando’s big man has been able to do on-court has been scary for all opposing teams. Some of the numbers that young, Dwight has been accumulating this season has been downright, mind boggling. Better yet, the Magic are actually winning and against some very impressive opposition.
Dwight as of this moment is roughly averaging 23 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, whilst dominating down low in the manner that Shaquille O’Neal used to back in the day.
Rookie of the Year: Jamario Moon
Jamario Moon doesn’t only have the coolest name in the league, but is the surprise packet in this year’s rookie class. Not only that, but Moon’s story is heart warming because after declaring his eligibility for the draft in 2001, and not being picked up, Jamario bounced around in various lesser leagues in America, finally grabbing a spot with the Toronto Raptors this year.
What has Moon brought to the table? Well, hustle, energy and a thirst for the game that makes all NBA watchers swoon. His numbers might not be eye catching, but his defensive intensity has been a revelation.
Kevin Durant might get all the love and praise, but has there been a more efficient rookie than Moon?
Most Improved Player: John Salmons
Playing for the Sacramento Kings these days is akin to being in a Soviet gulag in Siberia – no one can hear you scream.
This is a shame because two fantastic players are ballin’ in relative anonymity: Kevin Martin, and my pick for the Most Improved Player, John Salmons.
Never averaging more than nine points during his career, Salmons is now collecting a solid 14.5 points a game, whilst grabbing a very nice 4.4 boards per contest to boot.
In the rare chance that Sac-Town will be on television, keep an eye out for Johnny Bravo.
Defensive Player of the Year: Andrei Kirilenko
After a shocking ’06-’07 season, Andrei Kirilenko has rediscovered his love for the game and is once again playing stat stuffing basketball. Averaging 2.4 blocks a game he is showing off his defensive prowess for the entire world to see as well. Not, that we ever doubted his skills to lock down his opponents.
Although, his block numbers are very impressive, it is the intangibles that can’t be measured by raw stats that makes AK47 excel on defence – altering shots, poking away balls, and just being a general nuisance, makes Kirilenko my pick for the uber-defender in the NBA.
Not familiar with Jamario Moon? Check out this video and watch the ROY in action!
Let’s start off with what we do agree with, and that is Manu Ginobili as the Sixth Man of the Year. This is a given, especially considering how well El Loco is playing coming off the bench. No, one even comes close.
Now, let’s move onto the more juicy part of this post. Besides El Loco as the best bench player, Sports Insider and, I, have differing choices for every other award available. Hey, this would be a pretty boring world if we all agreed on the same things.
Most Valuable Player: Dwight Howard
Kevin Garnett and LeBron James are definitely big time choices to take out the MVP, but for my mind, Dwight Howard is right now standing above all others.
What Orlando’s big man has been able to do on-court has been scary for all opposing teams. Some of the numbers that young, Dwight has been accumulating this season has been downright, mind boggling. Better yet, the Magic are actually winning and against some very impressive opposition.
Dwight as of this moment is roughly averaging 23 points, 14 rebounds and 3 blocks per game, whilst dominating down low in the manner that Shaquille O’Neal used to back in the day.
You heard it here first, folks. Jamario Moon for Rookie of the Year! (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Adrian Wyld)
Rookie of the Year: Jamario Moon
Jamario Moon doesn’t only have the coolest name in the league, but is the surprise packet in this year’s rookie class. Not only that, but Moon’s story is heart warming because after declaring his eligibility for the draft in 2001, and not being picked up, Jamario bounced around in various lesser leagues in America, finally grabbing a spot with the Toronto Raptors this year.
What has Moon brought to the table? Well, hustle, energy and a thirst for the game that makes all NBA watchers swoon. His numbers might not be eye catching, but his defensive intensity has been a revelation.
Kevin Durant might get all the love and praise, but has there been a more efficient rookie than Moon?
Most Improved Player: John Salmons
Playing for the Sacramento Kings these days is akin to being in a Soviet gulag in Siberia – no one can hear you scream.
This is a shame because two fantastic players are ballin’ in relative anonymity: Kevin Martin, and my pick for the Most Improved Player, John Salmons.
Never averaging more than nine points during his career, Salmons is now collecting a solid 14.5 points a game, whilst grabbing a very nice 4.4 boards per contest to boot.
In the rare chance that Sac-Town will be on television, keep an eye out for Johnny Bravo.
Defensive Player of the Year: Andrei Kirilenko
After a shocking ’06-’07 season, Andrei Kirilenko has rediscovered his love for the game and is once again playing stat stuffing basketball. Averaging 2.4 blocks a game he is showing off his defensive prowess for the entire world to see as well. Not, that we ever doubted his skills to lock down his opponents.
Although, his block numbers are very impressive, it is the intangibles that can’t be measured by raw stats that makes AK47 excel on defence – altering shots, poking away balls, and just being a general nuisance, makes Kirilenko my pick for the uber-defender in the NBA.
Not familiar with Jamario Moon? Check out this video and watch the ROY in action!
| 55 |
| Vote |
Add Comments
