NBA Mid Season Awards

MVP- LeBron James is having his best season on both ends of the floor this year. His player efficiency rating is 32.8, which if he keeps it up would be the highest single season mark in NBA history. James is relying less on his perimeter jump shot, and more on his drives to the basket. He also has added some nice post moves to his game this year, he's shooting a career best 39 % from three point range, but that number goes up because he's taking less of them. With out a doubt James is the best all around player in the league, should add a third MVP to his name by season end. Now if he can just show up in the 4th quarter of games in the playoffs.                                                                                                        

Coach Of The Year- Doug Collins has his 76ers on top of the atlantic division with a 20-14 record. A team with no real star, playing unselfish on offense , using a relentless motion offense that would have Jerry Sloan grinning. They win their games on the defensive end, allowing the fewest points per possession (87.5).(synegrysports.com) Collins With a deep roster and players willing to except lesser roles in today's me me NBA is impressive.  

Defensive Player Of The Year- Tyson Chandler single handedly has changed the Knicks defense from being one of the worst in the league last year, to a top ten team this year. Chandler is the quarterback of the defense, he's constantly fighting off picks and yelling instructions to teammates on where they need to be. He's averaging 9 rebounds per game and 1 block per game. But the number's don't tell the whole story, next time you sit down to watch Jeremy Lin, Carmelo, and Amare. Take a second and look at Tyson Chandler he's all over the floor using his body to cause all sorts of problems for teams. Tyson  has brought a tough like swagger to this Knick team, we haven't seen since Patrick Ewing.

Rookie Of The Year- Kyrie Irving has helped the Cleveland faithfull some what forgot about the Decision. He's averaging 18 points per game with 5 assist as well. The only franchise player in the 2011 draft has looked like it so far, only turning the ball over 3 times per game, already showing a leadership mentality, while making smart decisions with the ball in his hands, gives him the nob over Timberwolves Ricky Rubio who is a better passer but struggles shooting the ball. 

Sixth Man Of The Year- Lou Williams plays his role well, he hasn't started a game for the 76ers, but leads the team in scoring. Team best 15.9 points per game, he is the teams go to scorer and is always in the game at the end of close games. He's a great pick and roll guard with under appreciated passing skills. Main reason for him not starting is because they have young first round picks Jrue Holiday and Evan Turner, in which they are invested in their future and potential.               

Most Improved Player- Roy Hibbert came to Indiana 4 years ago out of shape, and virtually no offensive game. Standing at 7'2' and about 20 pounds lighter 260, he has gotten better every year. His points per game from his rookie year 7.1 to now 13.8 and rebounds per game from 3.4 to 9.6 a game is a big improvent. He has gone from just a catch and shoot post player, to having 2 to 3 post moves he uses regular. the knock before was you couldn't play him for long periods of time because of his conditioning. Unlike most players Roy came out of the lockout in the best shape of his life he said, and now plays 30 minutes a game. Jeremy Lin was in consideration but with only 3 weeks of significant playing time his body of work was to small.