The majority of NBA franchises are at or past the halfway point of the season, so what better time than to come up with midseason awards? Seems fitting, no?
No reason to prolong the festivities. Here, 40-some games in, are the best of 2005-06:
MVP
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| Despite injuries, Marcus Camby gets the nod as the league's top defender. (Getty Images) |
For that matter, Nash is in the conversation, improving on his scoring average from a year ago while still leading the league in assists. Considering the Suns are atop the Pacific Division without the services of Amare Stoudemire, one can argue that Nash actually has been more effective than he was during his MVP campaign.
Double-double machine Elton Brand has also carried the Clippers, while 21-year old LeBron James has put up huge numbers in Cleveland.
However, the vote here goes to Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, leading the league in scoring at a clip of nearly 36 points per game. Huge performances like Sunday's 81-point effort separate him just enough from the talented pack of contenders, especially since he's taking a team that really shouldn't have any business thinking playoffs and willing it toward the postseason.
Rookie of the Year
He may have gone fourth in the draft, but Hornets point guard Chris Paul has undoubtedly been the top rookie of this year's class. He leads all first-year players in points, assists and steals and has helped transform a team expected to be among the West's worst into one that hovers around .500 -- and dreams about making the playoffs.
New York's Channing Frye edges top pick Andrew Bogut of the Bucks to finish a distant second.
Coach of the Year
Flip Saunders has emphatically erased any concerns about how Detroit would fare without Larry Brown. The Pistons, two-time defending Eastern Conference champions, appear to be better than they have been the past two seasons, sporting a far more fluid offense than the plodding style that had been their staple. Saunders filled big shoes and has proven it to be a comfortable fit.
Phoenix's Mike D'Antoni is a strong runner-up. He's gotten the Suns to overcome the loss of the league's top young big man and kept them on track.
