Regular Season Awards

With roughly ten games to go in the 2010-2011 NBA Season, it is about time to start handing out some awards. So, without further adieu, I present to you my picks for MVP, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and my First, Second and Third Team All-NBA as Well as First Team All-Defense...

MVP
Derrick Rose.  There is certainly a case to be made for LeBron James (arguably the best player in the NBA right now) and Dwight Howard (without whom the Orlando Magic would be a lottery-bound franchise), but my vote goes to Rose. Aside from posting some gaudy stats (24.8 ppg., 7.8 apg., 4.2 rpg.) he has also guided his team to the best record in the top-heavy Eastern Conference and helped the Bulls weather the storm through long-term injury issues to their big man duo of Joakim Noah and Carlos Boozer. Without Rose, the Bulls would be a 38-win team. With him, they are tops in the Eastern Conference, poised to make a deep run in the playoffs, and well positioned for the next decade.

Coach of the Year
Doug Collins.  Right now Tom Thibodeau is the trendy pick. After all, his Chicago Bulls currently sport the second best record in the NBA. Additionally, the Bulls have shown a commitment to defense last seen by the 2007-2008 Boston Celtics championship team. However, Collins gets the nod from me. After a brutal start to the season, Collins made the necessary adjustments to set the 76ers up for success, this season and in the future. He has gotten the most out of limited role players like Jodie Meeks, has made a star out of second-year guard Jrue Holiday, and has revitalized the woebegone careers of both Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand. His club is probably the most dangerous lower-seeded playoff team this year, and I believe they have the potential to be a 50-win franchise next season.

Sixth Man of the Year
Lamar Odom. I really see this as a two man race between Jason Terry and Lamar Odom. Many detractors will argue that Odom is not really the sixth man for the Los Angeles Lakers because he has started so many games for them this season. True. But, much like Terry, he also finishes them. Los Angeles is at their best when they start Bynum and bring Odom off the bench. Additionally, Odom has improved nearly every facet of his game this season, combining his brilliant passing skills with a now-deadly jump shot. His defense is top notch, he brings a swagger the Lakers' desperately need, and he has been one of the linchpins of the NBA's hottest team right now.

Most Improved Player
LaMarcus Aldridge. Kudos to Kevin Love for breaking Moses Malone's record double-double streak, but this award belongs to Aldridge. Asked to play out of position all season, Aldridge has become one of the league's best centers. Yes, you read that right, Aldridge is now a center. He combines terrific post moves with a killer jump shot, and has carried the Blazers on his back ever since injuries ravaged their season earlier this year.

Defensive Player of the Year
Dwight Howard. Aside from his blocks and rebounds, Dwight Howard changes so many shots that much of what he does on the defensive end of the court cannot be quantified. What I find most impressive about Howard's defensive impact is that he brings it every night. The guy might not be an offensive prodigy (yet) but he always brings the intensity on defense.

First Team All-NBA
Point Guard: Derrick Rose
Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant
Small Forward: LeBron James
Power Forward: Dirk Nowitzki
Center: Dwight Howard

Second Team All-NBA
Point Guard: Chris Paul
Shooting Guard: Dwyane Wade
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
Power Forward: Amare Stoudemire
Center: Pau Gasol

Third Team All-NBA
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobili
Small Forward:Paul Pierce
Power Forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: LaMarcus Aldridge

First Team All-Defense
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo
Shooting Guard: Manu Ginobili
Small Forward: Tony Allen
Power Forward: Kevin Garnett
Center: Dwight Howard