MVP: LeBron James, Miami Heat
James had one of the most dominating seasons in recent memory averaging 26.8 points per game, 8 rebounds per game, and 7.3 assists per game while shooting 56.5% and led the Miami Heat to 27 straight wins at one point during the season. This choice was a no brainer.
Runner Ups: Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Carmelo Anthony
Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
Ibaka has been a candidate for this award in years past, but I think this year the 23 year old Republic of Congo native is deserving of the award this year. Ibaka led the league in blocks and with usual defense of anchor Kendrick Perkins getting older and losing steam, Ibaka has held down the Thunder defense, which is tied for the 3rd best defensive rated team.
Runner Up: Marc Gasol
Rookie of the Year: Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
This may be up there with the MVP award as the biggest no brainer of this years regular season awards. Lillard has been the best rookie since day one averaging 19.1 points per game and 6.5 assists per game. If the Trail Blazers can stay healthy and add a solid bench next year, Lillard and the Trail Blazers will be a team to watch in the West.
Runner Ups: Anthony Davis, Bradley Beal
Most Improved: Larry Sanders, Milwaukee Bucks
Sanders did not start a single NBA game last season and this year emerged as a force for the playoff-bound Bucks. He was second in the league in blocks per game with 2.83 blocks. However, per 48 min he was first in the league in blocks per game (5.0). He has improved his scoring from 3.58 points per game to 9.8 points per game. The fact that Sanders went from not starting a game to being the starting center for a playoff team makes him deserving of this reward.
Runner Ups: Greivis Vasquez, James Harden, Paul George
Sixth Man of the Year: J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Smith has always been one of the most talented offensive of players in the league now for a few years, but this year he has put in altogether in the Big Apple. He has averaged 18.1 points per game along with 5 rebounds per contest and is a huge reason why the Knicks are the number two seed in the East and one of the hottest teams in the league. Besides Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks lack a go-to offensive player, but Smith has picked up the slack and hit big shot after big shot for his team.
Runner Up: Jamal Crawford, Jarrett Jack
Coach of the Year: George Karl, Denver Nuggets
Despite multiple injuries to top players like Ty Lawson and Danilo Gallinari throughout the year and one of the toughest schedules to start the season in the NBA (22 of their first 32 games on the road), Karl has led the Nuggets to a 39-10 record since January and the number three seed in the tough Western Conference without a “superstar” on the roster.
Runner Ups: Mark Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Erik Spolestra
DRB Sports Talk 