Mattie T’s 2008-09 NBA Regular Season Award Predictions..
Written by The Go-To-Man Mattie T. on April 5, 2009
Now that the NBA’s regular season is winding down, it’s time for me to hand out my Award Predictions.
Let’s get it started…..
6th Man of the Year:
Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks.
Among players that have appeared in 50 or more games, Terry’s 19.6 points per game ranks first among NBA reserves.
Terry also has his highest scoring average since 2000-01, which was just his 2nd year in the NBA.
As a member of the Atlanta Hawks, Terry averaged 19.7 points per game.
The Mavericks could be ousted in the 1st round against the heavily-favored Lakers, but Dallas wouldn’t even be a playoff team without Terry’s services.
Honorable Mention: New York’s Nate Robinson & Denver’s J.R. Smith.
Executive of the Year:
Danny Ferry, Cleveland Cavaliers.
In August of 2008, Ferry swung a 3-team, 6-player deal that saw both Damon Jones & Joe Smith depart in exchange for Mo Williams.
The move really paid off for Cleveland, as Williams is averaging career-highs in three-point field goal percentage (40.4%), free-throw percentage (93.1%) & points per game (17.6) this season.
Williams also made the All-Star team for the first time in his career after Chris Bosh (injured) stepped down.
Ferry was also able to re-acquire Smith on March 3rd, which makes his trade for Williams look even better.
Honorable mention: Denver’s Mark Warkentien & Orlando’s Otis Smith.
Defensive Player of the Year:
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic.
Howard is a runaway winner for this award, as he is on pace to become the league champion in both rebounds (14 per game) & blocked shots (3 per game).
If this holds up, then Howard will become just the 4th player in league history alongside Bill Walton, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar & Hakeem Olajuwon to lead the NBA in both rebounds & blocked shots in the same season.
Honorable mention: Houston’s Yao Ming & Charlotte’s Emeka Okafor.
Coach of the Year:
Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers.
Brown has done a masterful job this season in Cleveland, as his Cavaliers lead the NBA in fewest points allowed (91.3 points per game), & opponents’ three-point field percentage (33.4%).
This is a big step up from last season, as Cleveland ranked 9th in fewest points allowed (96.7 points per game) & 13th in opponents’ three-point field percentage (35.7%).
Brown also became the 4th youngest head coach to win 60 games or more, as he now joins NBA legends Bill Russell, Billy Cunningham & Tommy Heinsohn among the history books.
Honorable mention: Orlando’s Stan Van Gundy & Portland’s Nate McMillan.
Rookie of the Year:
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls.
Among rookie guards that play 30 or more minutes per night, Rose’s 47.1 field goal percentage leads all players.
Rose also leads all rookies with 6.2 assists per game, which is an higher average than All-Stars Joe Johnson, Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant & Mo Williams.
Honorable mention: Miami’s Michael Beasley & Memphis’ O.J. Mayo.
Most Improved Player:
Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics.
Rondo continues to show steady improvement, as the University of Kentucky product is averaging career-highs this season in field-goal percentage (50.6%), rebounds per game (5.2), assists per game (8.4), steals per game (1.9), & points per game (12.0).
Rondo also ranks 3rd among Celtics regulars behind Paul Pierce & Ray Allen in games played this season.
Honorable mention: Chicago’s John Salmons & New Jersey’s Devin Harris.
You know i had to save the best award for last! 🙂
Most Valuable Player:
LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers.
Even though James is averaging under 40 minutes per night for the 1st time since his rookie season, he has found other ways to improve his game while leading Cleveland to the best record in the NBA.
James is averaging career-highs this season in field-goal percentage (48.5%), free-throw percentage (77.3%) & assists per game (7.3).
In addition to this, LeBron has already reached a new career-high in blocks (91) and rebounds (596) & needs 19 more assists & 4 more three-pointers to also set personal highs.
James is already on pace to average the fewest number of turnovers (228) & personal fouls (132) over his 6-year NBA career.
Honorable mention: Orlando’s Dwight Howard & Miami’s Dwyane Wade.
NBA Playoff Previews to come starting April 15th!
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