NBA 2009-2010 Season Awards

If it seems like every one of these posts begins with "it's been a while," it's because they do. Sue me. I'm gonna do a quick rundown of these awards because I'll go in depth on every team in the coming week, leading up to the draft.

MVP - LeBron James
This is a no brainer. People talk a lot about all these awards getting pushed back until after the playoffs, but that would inevitably place an unfair weight upon whoever wins the championship; and it's also why the Finals MVP award exists. And for regular season purposes, LeBron was far-and-away the class of the league. I still won't even say Kobe is unquestionably better than LeBron (yes I will); though it's tough (for me, at least) to differentiate between the "killers" who can take games over when necessary and the facilitators who you can run offenses through and who get teammates easy looks. Generally you need both in order to be successful in the playoffs. I will say however that Kobe IS THE KING OF THE NBA. The fact that LeBron has this title is offensive.
Other Candidates: For this award 'candidates' is the wrong word, but a few names do deserve mention. Kevin Durant is obvious. Dwyane Wade is as well (people try to make excuses about LeBron's supporting cast, but that Miami team is a joke). I suppose Dwight Howard belongs here, too. Rounding this list out, however is Steve Nash, who showed yet again why the Suns owe whatever success they've had over the last six years to him over anyone else. His playoff performance only validates this. As for Kobe? I just feel like the success of the listed players' teams relies on those players a little more.

Defensive Player of the Year - Dwight Howard
It'd be pretty ridiculous to put a perimeter defender here, because their value is a lot more significant in the playoffs. With that said, Rajon Rondo could be close; he makes so many plays both on and off the ball AND on the glass that I really wanted to put him here.
Other Candidates: Obviously Rondo. Josh Smith returned to form and then some, easily had his best year offensively but also improved his post defense to go along with continuing his path to being known as one of the best weak-side shot-blockers of all time. Gerald Wallace had a helluva season. Last but certainly not least, old man Marcus Camby, who is EVERYWHERE on the defensive end.

Sixth Man Award - Jamal Crawford
This was even more of a runaway than MVP. Crawford defined the 6th man role this year, providing a (surprisingly efficient) spark off the bench, and even acting as the Hawks' most effective go-to guy in the 4th quarter.
Other Candidates: None.

Rookie of the Year - Brandon Jennings/Tyreke Evans
First step in coming to this conclusion: Eliminate Stephen Curry. He looked like he could wind up the best player of the bunch, but there are two major reasons why he's out: he started slow and most importantly, he plays for the Warriors. I shouldn't need to go much further than that.
Tyreke Evans - In November he averaged 20.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists. In April he averaged 19.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 5.3 assists. On the year he averaged 20.1 points, 5.3 rebounds and 5.8 assists. Consistency, consistency, consistency. And he's a willing defender, a notable attribute given his physical numbers.
Brandon Jennings - If you're deciding by numbers, Jennings isn't on the same radar as Evans, or even Curry (who averaged 26.4 points, 8.1 assists, 6.4 rebounds and 2.6 steals in April). But some people actually watch basketball, and they see that while Curry and Evans play in pressure free situations on losers, Jennings was quarterbacking - very deftly, might I add - a playoff bound Bucks team. And remember that whole 'watching basketball' thing? Jennings is already one of the better defensive PGs in the league.
Other Candidates: Too many to count beyond Curry. As I said I'm going in depth on every team in the coming days, so they'll be documented then. As for the split decision, I felt it necessary because while it's true Evans didn't have the same type of pressure Jennings did, not only did I witness an absolute beast on the court, but also a guy who came up big on more than one occasion at the end of close games.

Most Improved Player - Josh Smith
This is the worst award in existence. Aaron Brooks won because circumstances dictated that he have a significantly bigger role in the offense. So the circumstances deserve an award, not the player. Meanwhile, Josh Smith underwent a major transformation, ending his infatuation with his terrible jumper and developing a very nice post game, becoming a markedly better offensive player (he also posted a career high in assists).
Other Candidates: Andrew Bogut is the only other guy really (this award is all-inclusive, yet excludes everyone). But he only played 69 games, and he simply progressed naturally this year, from previous seasons.

Coach of the Year - Doc Rivers
THIS is the award that should be pushed back to after the playoffs. What's better, wearing your aging roster thin and winning an extra 10 games in the regular season, or keeping those same players fresh, and leading them to a Game 7 in the NBA Finals? The Celtics playoff success is a direct result of Doc Rivers coaching decisions in the regular season.
Other Candidates: Oklahoma City's Scott Brooks won the award, and I guess I can't complain too much. But while Brooks won this award and the Bucks GM won Executive of the Year, I feel like OKC's GM should've won that for putting together that amazing roster and Scott Skiles take the Coach award for his job with the surprising Bucks.

Well that's it. Hopefully I get through all 30 teams in the next 7 days.