May 14, 2013
We have come to a close on the NBA regular season and the votes have been casted to name the players that stood out this year. Not much drama in the vote casting, each player named played outstanding this year.
Carmelo Anthony took the scoring title from three time titleholder Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma Thunder. Carmelo has been a scoring machine this season even though he has missed numerous games, he still lead his runner-up Durant by 70 points.
What George Karl has done with the Denver Nuggets is incredible. He took a group of guys with different strengths and weaknesses and made them buy into his system. Running and team ball seemed to be the winning formula for Karl and his squad. The Nuggets were 57-25 this season although they dealt with a lot of injuries. George Karl deserves the Coach of the Year because although his team didn’t have a superstar he made what he had work, successfully.
The Rookie of the Year award was predictable, Damian Lillard has been sensational all year. He definite has a bright future in the NBA.
J.R. Smith’s off the court behavior may be questionable but on the court he has provided the spark that the New York Knicks needed. Hitting big shots and stepping up when the Knicks core players went down to injuries, Smith has done his share in making the Knicks contenders.
The Defensive Player of the Year award was one of the tough ones to decide because there were a couple guys that deserved honorable mention. LeBron James thought that he earned this year’s honor but Memphis Grizzlies’ Marc Gasol was the top vote getter for the DPOY.
The Indiana Pacers has been reestablishing themselves as contenders the past two seasons. There hasn’t been this much excitement for the gold team since the Reggie Miller days but thanks to Paul George, David West, and the young core the Pacers are relevant again. Paul George has been named NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2012-13 season. His athleticism and shooting ability has revealed that he is on the rise.
Last but certainly not least, the Most Valuable Player award goes to LeBron James by an almost unanimous decision. He has been named MVP for the second straight year, giving him four trophies total and positions him higher in the history books. It has been decided that he has meant the most to his team and their ability to win games. He has definitely lived up to the hype and silenced the critics on all levels; what more can you ask for?
When it is all said and done there is only one award that would complete a team, please owners, gratify a franchise, and satisfy fans that award is the Larry O’Brien Trophy that only one team will hold this June. Miami is the favorite to win it all. Will LeBron James claim two trophies this year or will the Miami Heat be dethroned?
Stay Tune…
Scoring Title – Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks
Coach of the Year – George Karl, Denver Nuggets
Rookie of the Year – Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
Sixth Man of the Year – J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Defensive Player of the Year – Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Most Improved Player – Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Most Valuable Player – LeBron James, Miami Heat
