2012 NBA Picks and Predictions: Early Season NBA Awards Believe the NBA season is a quarter of the way complete already. As expected the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City look more than capable of meeting in the NBA Finals once again, but there have been plenty of surprise teams, as well. There have also been some players off to surprisingly strong starts, and the first look at the award contenders contains more than a few unexpected names. Yes, there is still more than enough time for things to change and new contenders to emerge, but here is a look at the early frontrunners for the NBA’s top honors.
2012 NBA Picks and Predictions: Early Season NBA Awards
MVP: Carmelo Anthony, Forward, New York Knicks
New York has the best record in the Eastern Conference, and while Amar’e Stoudemire has yet to take the court, Anthony has thrived as the centerpiece of the offense. He is currently second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 27.7 points per game on 46.5 percent shooting. Anthony is shooting the best percentage of his career from beyond the arc, and while he has certainly part of the reason the Knicks are the bets 3-point shooting team in the league, he is also the one player on the team that can create his own shot. Anthony is currently sixth in the league in free throw attempts and his ability to score in the post, get to the rim and draw double teams is the main reason the rest of his teammates have had so many open looks from the perimeter. It’s early, but Anthony has the Knicks looking like a title contender.
Defensive Player of the Year: Joakim Noah, Center Chicago Bulls
With Derrick Rose sidelined for an undetermined amount of time, Chicago has relied on its defense to stay afloat, and Noah has been the disruptive presence in the paint for the Bulls. He is currently sixth in the NBA in rebounding (10.8) and seventh in blocked shots (2.3), and his 1.4 steals per game are a career high. More importantly, Noah is producing those numbers for a Chicago defense that ranks second in field goal percentage defense and points allowed. No player has stepped up for the Bulls in Rose’s absence as much as Noah, especially on the defensive end.
Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford, Shooting Guard, Los Angeles Clippers
Crawford has been just what the doctor ordered for a Clippers’ team that had one of the thinnest benches and backcourts in the NBA last year. He is second on the team in scoring, averaging 17.5 points per game. More importantly, he has the all-around game to carry the scoring load for the Clippers’ second unit. Crawford is currently leading the team in 3-pointers made per game and free throws made per game, and he has been instant offense off the bench for Los Angeles all season.
Rookie of the Year: Damian Lillard, Point Guard, Portland Trailblazers
An injury to Anthony Davis has opened the door for other rookies, and Lillard has seized the opportunity. He leads all rookies in scoring, averaging 18.4 points per game. In general, Lillard has displayed a versatile offensive skill set, along with the ability to distribute. He is leading all rookies in 3-pointers made per game, free throw makes and attempts per game and assists per game. He is also chipping in more than three rebounds per game and more than a steal. Lillard is doing a little bit of everything, and he has been the most impressive rookie thus far.
Most Improved Player: O.J. Mayo, Shooting Guard, Dallas Mavericks
After struggling to find his role in Memphis, Mayo has blossomed into the perimeter scorer he was supposed to be when he was made the No. 3 pick in the 2008 draft. He is currently eighth in the league in scoring, averaging a career-high 20.8 points per game. He is also averaging career highs in rebounds and assists, but his drastically improved shooting has been the biggest boost to his game. Mayo is currently shooting 48.7 percent from the field and a league-best 53.0 percent from beyond the arc while knocking down 2.9 3-pointers per game.
Coach of the Year: Mike Woodson, New York Nicks
After being a disaster for much of the past decade and mediocre at best in recent years, the New York Knicks are finally looking like a title contender. They are 17-5 and two games clear in the Eastern Conference and have pummeled the defending champion Miami Heat twice already by a combined 40 points. Only the Oklahoma City Thunder have a better winning percentage thus far, and whatever Woodson is selling, his players are buying. This team has had talent before, but it could never put it all together. Woodson has Anthony and company firing on all cylinders, and if he can keep the momentum going once Amar’e Stoudemire returns, he could be well on his way to Coach of the Year honors.
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