END OF SEASON AWARDS ('05/06)
It's that time of year again, when the NBA's elite gets recognised. It's Awards time, and we'll start off with the big one, the 2005/06 NBA MVP Award.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Not many people expected him to win an MVP after declaring out of high school. Kevin Garnett (Min) now has 2 MVP awards to put in his trophy room as he was announced as the 2005/06 MVP. Garnett really stepped up this season as he led the T'wolves to the No. 3 seed out West. Garnett continued to showcase his complete game as he finished amongst the top 10 in the NBA in scoring (22.7ppg - 7th), rebounds (12.4rpg - 1st), blocks (2.17bpg - 5th) and steals (1.90spg - 10th). Whilst he will be happy to win a 2nd MVP award, I'd say he would give it up in a heartbeat for his 1st NBA ring. Perhaps he can get both, but we shall see. Garnett beat out Antoine Walker (Bos), Shaquille O’Neal (Mia) and Tim Duncan (SAS) for the award.
ALL-NBA 1st TEAM
The All-NBA 1st Team is lead by Shaq (Mia) in the pivot as he once again carried the Heat on his back to their 2nd straight No. 3 seed in the Eastern playoffs. The forwards include MVP Kevin Garnett (Min) and Richard Jefferson (NJN). Whilst Garnett was a lock for 1st team honours, the same can't be said for Jefferson, who beat out Ron Artest (Ind) and Peja Stojakovic (Sac) for the honour. The 1st team is capped off by “The Truth”, Paul Pierce (Bos), who was 2nd in the league in scoring, and PG Jason Kidd (NJN), who teams with Jefferson to make 2 Nets in the All-NBA 1st team.
ALL-NBA 2nd TEAM
Yao (Hou) finally seems ready to make the league his own and had a stellar season on both ends of the court. Expect Yao to push for 1st team honours next season. The forwards are 2004/05 MVP Antoine Walker (Atl) and Mike Dunleavy Jr. (GSW), who had a career year in Oakland. Tim Duncan (SAS) got the snub once again as he didn't get a spot in either of the All-NBA teams for the 2nd straight season. The guards were superstar Kobe Bryant (LAL), and Stephon Marbury (NYK). This was Marbury's 2nd straight appearance in the All-NBA 2nd team.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Big Ben Wallace (Det) put last year's disappointment of missing the season due to suspension behind him as he returned to his devastating best (or is that his worst) on the defensive end as he was voted as the NBA's best Defensive Player of the Year. Wallace dominated all the categories a defensive man would want to as he led the league in blocks (2.71bpg), was 4th in the league in rebounds (11.9rpg), and in the top 20 in steals (1.83spg). He also provided a dominating presence in the middle for the Pistons that was lacking last season. Expect the Pistons to be once again challenging for the title with this beast in the middle. Wallace beat out Shaq, Kirilenko and Artest for the award.
ALL-DEFENSIVE 1st TEAM
Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace (Det) leads the All-Defensive 1st team in the middle. He is joined by MVP Kevin Garnett (Min) and Andrei Kirilenko (Uta), who made his 2nd straight All-Defensive 1st team appearance. The guards are Kobe Bryant (LAL) and PG Jason Kidd (NJN), who both used their veteran abilities to shutdown opponents.
ALL-DEFENSIVE 2nd TEAM
Marcus Camby (Den) finally gets some recognition in an All-Defensive team for his efforts on the boards and swatting lots of shots. Camby is joined by two 1st-timers, Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) and Shawn Marion (Pho). Whilst the Diggler selection may seem odd, it must be said that Nowitzki has worked very hard on his defensive game and uses his length to cause havoc for opponents. As for "The Matrix", he uses his uber-athleticism to play much bigger than his height, both on the boards, and on defense. The 2nd team was rounded out by guards Stephen Jackson (Ind) and Baron Davis (NOH).
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
When the Bobcats missed out on their man, PG Julian Iwanaka, who went to the Sonics one pick earlier, the team hoped that it would get a good guy with their pick. Well, if you hadn't already noticed, the Bobcats definitely got their guy as the #4 overall pick in the draft, Guy Dumars, out of Southern Illinois, took the league by storm as he brought another talented big man to Charlotte. Guy Dumars (Cha) edged out Priest Askins (Was) for the Rookie of the Year Award. Dumars had a strong season as he averaged 13.4ppg, 8.9rpg & 1.64bpg. Askins might end up the better of the 2 star rookies, but for this day, there is only one Guy that will shine.
ALL-ROOKIE 1st TEAM
Scouts said this group of rookies were not that good. They were mostly right, bar 3 players at opposite ends of the US. They were ROY Guy "That Guy" Dumars (Cha), Priest Askins (Was) and Julian Iwanaka (Sea). These 3 rookies shared all the monthly rookie awards for the season. The onther 2 rookies voted into the All-Rookie 1st team were Ivan Hrkac (Ind) and Zach Mayfield (NJN), who proved many GM's wrong as he made them pay for not selecting him in the 1st Round.
ALL-ROOKIE 2nd TEAM
The All-Rookie 2nd Team mostly includes solid rookies who have shown that they have a future in the NBA. The team includes Khamidi Adams (Atl), Joshua Fowles (Phi), Ade Recasner (GSW), Kerry McKey (NJN) and
Andrew "The X" Watson (Cha), who was this season's fairytale story as he came out of nowhere to earn a shock early 2nd Round selection and to secure a roster spot and possibly a future in the NBA.
SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
Rookie forward Priest Askins (Was) did the unthinkable. He won the Sixth Man of the Year Award as he routinely proved his was the NBA's best off the bench. Whilst Askins missed out on the Rookie of the Year Award, he should take some comfort from this award. Expect big things from Askins, but can the Wizards find the PT that this future star needs?!?
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR
For the 2nd straight season they have got this award completely wrong. Last year is was Stackhouse, this year it's Ben Gordon. Why do I think they got it wrong. Gordon's averages were the same as in his rookie season, except he played a few more minutes and scored a couple fewer points per game (from 20.7ppg to 18.9ppg). Ahh well, let's hope they get it right next season.
COACH OF THE YEAR
The final award goes to San Antonio Spurs' coach Gregg Popovich who led the Spurs to the best record in the NBA of 46-12 that also gives the team home-court advantage throughout the playoffs.
That's this year's awards. Tune in for more playoff coverage.