Tomorrow begins the second half of the NBA regular season and the stretch run to the playoffs. For now, let's take a look back at the first half as I present my first half award winners as well as revised predictions for the season.
My NBA Midseason Awards
Most Valuable Player
1- LeBron James, Cleveland
2- Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
3- Dwayne Wade, Miami
LeBron James is the Cleveland Cavaliers, I'm giving him the nod over Kobe on the basis that he is more valuable to Cleveland than Kobe is to the Lakers, otherwise I see them on a level playing field as far as stats go. Dwayne Wade is similarly a great player like LeBron and Kobe, but Miami has slipped up lately.
Rookie of the Year
1- Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee
2- Tyreke Evans, Sacramento
3- Stephen Curry, Golden State
This was tough to make, especially since Tyreke Evans is averaging 20 point a game for the Kings. I know I'll get flack for this, but I boosted Brandon Jennings because of that 55 point game...yes one game. OK, let me here it. While I get lots of hate mail, I'll add that Stephen Curry has lived up to the hype, he's a runaway third place.
Coach of the Year
1- Scott Brooks, Oklahoma City
2- Lionel Hollins, Memphis
3- Nate McMilan, Portland
The incredible job Brooks as done in Oklahoma City as far as getting the most out of his young team just barely eclipses Hollins' job, the Thunder went from doormat to playoff contender. Nate McMillan has similarly rebuilt the Trailblazers in Portland and they are now one of the better teams in the West.
Defensive Player of the Year
1- Dwight Howard, Orlando
2- Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
3- Ron Artest, LA Lakers
Dwight Howard's blocking ability and prescence on the boards is far beyond any other player in the league. Gerald Wallace has played to his potential as one of the toughest defenders in the league. Similarly, Ron Artest is giving leading scorers fits in Los Angeles.
Sixth Man of the Year
1- Jamal Crawford, Atlanta
2- Jason Terry, Dallas
3- Carl Landry, Houston
Jamal Crawford has been dominanting as a player off the bench in Atlanta, giving some help to Mike Bibby. Jason Terry is again in the mix in Dallas as a bench guy, he provides much needed relief off the bench. One of the unknown sixth men in the league is Carl Landry, who is averaging 16.3 points a game for the Rockets.
Most Improved Player
1- Marc Gasol, Memphis
2- Rajon Rondo, Boston
3- Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Marc Gasol has taken over the heralded player role from his brother in Memphis, he is averaging close to a double-double per game. Rajon Rondo has carried Boston for much of the year and developed into a premier point guard. Kevin Durant can now be conisdered an elite player as he has taken the Thunder on his shoulders and his helping guide them through a terrific season
Revised Final 2009-10 NBA Predictions (Conference finish in parenthesis)
Eastern Conference
Atlantic Division
1- Boston (2)
2- Toronto (5)
3- New York (10)
4- Philadelphia (11)
5- New Jersey (15)
The Celtics are simple too good to lose the Atlantic Division title. Toronto has been playing solid basketball and should cruise to second place. New York has slightly more talent than the 76ers and will edge them for third place. The Nets will continue to, well, lose.
Central Division
1- Cleveland (1)
2- Milwaukee (8)
3- Chicago (9)
4- Indiana (12)
5- Detroit (13)
Cleveland is dominating the Central and will win the division and East Conference without a problem. Milwaukee has better team chemistry and more talent than the Bulls, that will give them the edge for the final East playoff spot. The Pacers will grab fourth place just ahead of the Pistons.
Southeast Division
1- Orlando (3)
2- Atlanta (4)
3- Miami (6)
4- Charlotte (7)
5- Washington (14)
The Southeast will have a wild second half finish, in the end the Magic will edge out Atlanta for the division title, the Hawks will be fourth in the East. Miami will recover from their recent swoon and pass Charlotte, but both will make the playoffs. Washington is far and away last place.
Western Conference
Southwest Division
1- Dallas (3)
2- San Antonio (4)
3- Houston (8)
4- Memphis (10)
5- New Orleans (11)
In a close Southwest Division battle, the Mavericks' firepower will edge out the defensive-minded Spurs for the division. Meanwhile, in a wild race for eighth, the Rockets will find a way to hit their stride late and grab the final West playoff spot. Memphis and New Orleans will be two of the teams on the outside looking in.
Northwest Division
1- Denver (2)
2- Utah (5)
3- Portland (6)
4- Oklahoma City (9)
5- Minnesota (15)
Denver is by far the second best team in the West, they easily take the Northwest Division title. The Jazz will edge out the Trailblazers for second place in the division, both make the playoffs. The Oklahoma City Thunder will fall apart late in the season and just miss the playoffs, and the Timberwolves finish as the worst in the West.
Pacific Division
1- LA Lakers (1)
2- Phoenix (7)
3- LA Clippers (12)
4- Golden State (13)
5- Sacramento (14)
The Lakers continue their Pacific Division dominance en route to a division title. Phoenix likewise cruises to second place in the weak Pacific. The Clippers, Warriors, and Kings are thrid, fourth and fifth, but all three have no chance at the playoffs.
2009-10 Playoff Predictions
Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
(1) Cleveland over (8) Milwaukee 4-0
(2) Boston over (7) Charlotte 4-2
(3) Orlando over (6) Miami 4-3
(5) Toronto over (4) Atlanta 4-3
Cleveland will have no problem sweeping past the Bucks in round one. The Bobcats, in the playoffs for the first time, will give the Celtics fits, but Boston wins in six. In the battle of Florida, Dwayne Wade gives the Magic all they can handle, but Orlando wins in seven. Finally, in an upset, the Raptors realize their potential and take down the Hawk in seven for their second ever playoff series win.
Western Conference Quarterfinals
(1) LA Lakers over (8) Houston 4-1
(2) Denver over (7) Phoenix 4-2
(6) Portland over (3) Dallas 4-2
(5) Utah over (4) San Antonio 4-2
The Lakers shouldn't have much trouble in round one, taking down a depth-less Houston squad. Even though Phoenix is always a playoff challenge, the Nuggets should knock them off in six games. Two upsets follow, first the Trailblazers roll over the favored but playoff choking Mavericks in six. Finally, perennial playoff contender San Antonio gets shocked in six by the upstart Jazz.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
(1) Cleveland over (5) Toronto 4-2
(2) Boston over (3) Orlando 4-3
No surprises here, the Raptors give LeBron and the Cavs all they can handle, but Cleveland escapes in six games. In what is becoming a hard core rivalry, the Celtics use home court advantage to just barely outlast the Magic is a hard fought seven game series.
Western Conference Semifinals
(1) LA Lakers over (5) Utah 4-1
(2) Denver over (6) Portland 4-0
No surprises in the West Semis either. The Jazz run into a wall against the Lakers as they get taken down in five games. Likewise, the Trailblazers get schoold by the Nuggets in a shcokingly quick four game sweep.
Eastern Conference Finals
(2) Boston over (1) Cleveland 4-3
Western Conference Finals
(1) LA Lakers over (2) Denver 4-1
The Cavaliers fall short in the East finals as LeBron falls apart in game seven, the Celtics head back to the finals in a tough seven game series. The West is nearly as close, the Lakers take down the Nuggets in an easier five game series
NBA Finals
(1) LA Lakers over (2) Boston 4-1
The Lakers get their revenge on Boston from two years ago, as Los Angeles easily takes down the Celtics in five games and wins their 16th NBA title.
Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy
Los Angeles Lakers
NBA Finals MVP Trophy
1- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles
2- Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles
3- Rajon Rondo, Boston
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