NBA Hardware

The already shortened NBA season is now dragging to an end, but that does not mean there won't be more drama. Many questions still have no answers. Who will be the top seeds? Who will get left out? Will the Bobcats ever win again? And of course, who is the MVP?

Perhaps the most anticipated announcement ever of the league's MVP award, is this season, as both LeBron James and Kevin Durant have had remarkable years. I give my picks for the MVP, as well as other NBA hardware.

NBA MVP: LeBron James

I can already hear the Thunder fans booing me and getting ready to stop reading this, but the truth is, LeBron James is the best player in the NBA this season. While Kevin Durant may win the NBA scoring title for the 3rd consecutive year (he trails Kobe Bryant by .1 PPG).

Durant's performance in other categories has left much to be desired. Let this stat sink in for a moment, Kevin Durant is averaging 3.5 assists this season, barley cracking the Top 40, there are two players on the Bobcats that average more assists then Durant. That's right, the Bobcats! LeBron James averages 6.3 assists this season, good enough for 13th in the league and yes, better than any Bobcats player.

Both Durant and James average about eight rebounds, so there is a tie there (For all of you people who want to get technical, Durants averages 8.0 RPG while James averages 7.9). What really separates James in this race is his defensive play. LeBron is 3rd in the NBA in steals while Durant is on the outside of the Top 20.

Still not satisfied with my reasoning? LeBron James has led the Heat to a 12-1 record without fellow star Dwayne Wade, showing he is capable of performing well in tough situations, while Durant has been basically untested in that area. Miami and Oklahoma City have basically equal records so it is tough to decide between these two, but I'd have to go with LeBron.

2. Kevin Durant(27.8 PPG, 8.0 RPG)

3. Russel Westbrook(23.8 PPG, 5.3 APG)


NBA Rookie of the Year: Brandon Knight

You could make an argument that this is the worst rookie class ever, so keeping that in mind I decided to go with the surprise pick, Brandon Knight. I probably would have given the award to Kyrie Irving, except he missed so many games. Or even Ricky Rubio, but he tore his ACL. So again keeping health in mind, Brandon Knight is the pick because he has played in every game.

Obviously Brandon Knight did have other success besides staying healthy. Despite playing for an awful, Pistons team, Knight is 2nd among Rookies in scoring, trailing only Kyrie Irving for the top spot. Knight's assists numbers were not great, but that goes along with the lack of talent on the Pistons, despite that Knight is 5th among Rookies in assists.

Truly, if the NBA had the option of not awarding any rookies with this honor, I'd do that, because this rookie class has been just horrendous. So in the process of elimination, I'd pick Brandon Knight as the Rookie of the Year.

2. Kenneth Faried(9.9 PPG, 7.4 RPG)

3. Kyrie Irving(18.6 PPG, 5.6 APG)


NBA Most Improved Player: DeMarcus Cousins

DeMarcus Cousins has been able to generate more attention then perhaps any player on the Kings in years. Constantly in the news because of character issues and conflicts with coaches. Cousins was able to block that out and have a tremendous season. Many people, including myself, believed that Cousins was deserving of an All-Star selection, but was shut out by another guy with character issues(Andrew Bynum).

Cousins is 5th in the NBA in rebounds with about 11 per game, and has stayed healthy all year despite getting beat up night after night in the post. DeMarcus Cousins disappointed in his rookie year after all of the hype coming out of Kentucky, only scoring 14.1 PPG and averaging a mind-blowing 3.3 turnovers per game.

Cousins has increased all of his statistics from last year(except for assists and 3-point percentage, but he's a center so really, who cares?). His turnovers have gone down, and he has blossomed into one of the league's great rebounders. Along with rebounds, Cousins has brought his scoring up to 17.6 PPG, making him a double-double threat every night.

There have been many improved players in the NBA this season. But DeMarcus Cousins stands out among all of them, and not just because of his height.

2. Andrew Bynum(18.9 PPG, 11.9 RPG)

3. Kris Humphries(13.8 PPG, 11.0 RPG)


NBA 6th Man of the Year: James Harden

This one isn't even close, to be honest I still don't know why James Harden doesn't start, but I guess its working for Oklahoma City. Harden has become a great scorer off the bench, averaging 16.9 PPG despite only playing 31 minutes per game. Harden has also received praise this season for his masterpiece of a beard, which now stacks up with some of the all-time great beards.

Anyway, getting back on topic, Harden was a clear snub for the All-Star game as he is in the Top 40 of all significant offensive statistics, except rebounding, and he is a bench player. Harden has been absolutely remarkable, but stats don't tell the whole story with Harden. James Harden's performance has been the key factor in the Thunder's rise to the top of the Western Conference. The scoring and ability that Harden provides just adds to the star power of Oklahoma City, creating a deadly trio of Harden, Durant, and Westbrook.

To be honest, I would not expect to see James Harden on the bench next season because the vote for this award won't even be close. Even though Harden's numbers aren't mind-boggling, imagine Harden's numbers with starter's minutes. Yeah, that's a scary thought for the rest of the Western Conference.

2. Lou Williams(14.9 PPG, 3.5 APG)

3. Jason Terry(15.1 PPG, 3.6 APG)