Defensive Player of the Year...Marcus Camby, Houston Rockets


The defensive player of the year award is a very tough one to choose. There have been many standout defenders on the season and it could go to anyone. However, the one guy that has put his defensive play to the best use has definitely been Marcus Camby. Thanks to Camby's rebounding and shot blocking presence down low it has helped the Houston Rockets get to first place in the division. Camby leads the league in both rebounds and blocks and he hardly ever gets dominated by the other great centers in the game.

Honorable Mentions:
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Emeka Okafor, Houston Rockets
Andrei Kirilenko, Atlanta Hawks

Most Improved Player...Eddy Curry, New York Knicks


This one in my mind is an easy selection. Eddy Curry has very quietly put together an amazing season thus far. He is only playing around 29 minutes per game, but he has put up 19 points per game and 9 rebounds per game. He has really benefitted from having Zach Randolph by his side to take some of the pressure off of him. Since Curry plays for the Knicks, not one of the most dominate teams in the NBA, he hasn't gotten a lot of good press coverage. However, his hard work should really pay off for him at the end of the season.

Honorable Mentions:
Al Jefferson, Pheonix Suns
Grant Hill, Philadelphia 76ers
Anthony Parker, Toronto Raptors

Sixth Man Award...Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers


It is a shocker to see Shaq Daddy as the sixth man winner. However, since going back to Los Angeles he has taken a backup role to young phenom Andrew Bynum, and Shaq is fine with it. Shaq is putting up close to a double-double off the bench and he is easily the front runner for this award. This could be a new era in Shaq's career as he becomes a dominate force off the bench.

Honorable Mentions:
Jamal Crawford/Kevin Martin, Orlando Magic
Earl Boykins, Houston Rockets
Johan Petro, Seattle Sonics

Rookie of the Year...Kevin Durant, Seattle Sonics


The rookie of the year is a very close battle between the top two; Greg Oden and Kevin Durant. The ultimate factor comes down to Durant having a bigger scoring advantage compared to Oden's rebounding advantage. Although Oden has his team with a better record, Durant has been able to post up great numbers having no help around him. Both guys are special players and will be MVP candidates in the future, but this is Kevin Durant's year as top dog.

Honorable Mentions:
Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers
Acie Law, Washington Wizards
Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies

Most Valuable Player...LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers


There have been many amazing players on the season, but none have been better all-around then LeBron James. LeBron is posting up great numbers at almost every statistical category and he is playing out of his natural position. He also has put the Cavaliers on his back and they have rode him to a playoff position. LeBron is probably the most talented player in the league and his numbers can prove it. He may not be tops in any category, but he does it all better then anybody else can.

Honorable Mentions:
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Tim Duncan, Los Angeles Clippers
Allen Iverson, Houston Rockets

Coach of the Year...chipperboy1, Atlanta Hawks


The final award goes to the manager who turned around a team that was full of question marks to one of the best overall teams in the league. Chipperboy1 has made the Hawks in championship contenders by putting together a nice mesh of star players and role players to win games. Not many people would of expected the Atlanta Hawks to be top championship contenders at the start of the season, but over halfway through, and here we are with the Hawks as a championship contender.

Honorable Mentions:
Wade, Houston Rockets
jeremy23, Pheonix Suns
Ace$, Orlando Magic

good article

thanks.

How about Jazz for underacheivers of the year?

Lol

i was gonna make that a category...but thats a given, lol.

Smith will win DPOY. A lot of rebounds can come offensively. Smith is #2 in blocks, not by much, but he's also #2 in steals.

while you were saying that...you coulda graded it ;)

I'll give it a 10 with the $500 bonus. So, go claim $1,500.

thanks buddy :D