The 2009-2010 NBA regular season is almost over, so I thought it was a perfect time to award the NBA players who have made the season that nobody thought would be important……well, important. Most fans conceded that this NBA season would be the appetizer to the main course that will take place this July 1 when some of the biggest stars in the game become free to use teams as leverage, get pampered by desperate teams who have tanked the season (I’m looking at you Knicks fans), get free meals, tour the countries 3 largest markets, and eventually resign with their own teams for $30 million dollars more than anyone else can offer. I am not most fans. I love the NBA and have enjoyed this season by watching as many games as I ever have knowing full well there is a lockout coming a little over a year from now. There have been several rookies who have made the draft “experts” look like Chris Wallace (I’ll get to that clown later.) We’ve seen the future of the league (The Durantula) lead a young group of ex-Sonics to the playoffs, The King dominate, bad coaches ruin their teams chances, Kobe take his “MJ” like ability to a completely different level, General Managers cripple their teams future, the best X’s and O’s coach lead a young team to new heights, and the Spurs finally look older than Manu Ginobili’s bald spot. The playoffs will be extremely entertaining with so many teams in that same good, but not great, category. With that being said, let’s get to my 2010 NBA Awards…….

LeBron James has played at a higher level than other player on the planet this year. Let's hope "Number 6" takes his talents to the west side of Chicago this summer.

2010 NBA MVP–LeBron James. Cavs: Who else could it be? LeBron has raised his game to levels that I have seen with only a couple players in my lifetime. The King will not only be the prize of 2010 free agency, but he is, without a doubt, the best player in the game right now. He’s leading the league in scoring at 29.8 ppg (Kevin Durant is a very  close 2nd, and charging)  while also averaging 8.5 apg, and 7.2 rpg. He has led them to the best record in the NBA despite playing without another All-Star. Antawn Jamison isn’t the same player he used to be, Shaq looks like ’94 Yokozuna, and Mo Williams is in the 1-time All-Star category of Chris Gatling, BJ Armstrong and Michael Adams. The fact that the Cavs will, again, win 60- plus games amazes me. James makes everyone around him look competent. I mean Anthony Parker? Really? No player has done that to this level since ’98 Jordan. James has also taken his defensive game to new heights as well. He’s averaging 1.06 blocks per game, most of them in the highlight reel variety. This is a huge finish to the season for James and the Cavs. What if they don’t win the title? Will he stay or get out of that dump of a town? ( Lord only knows what Cleveland fans would do if one of their teams loses again. It would be worse than Cubs fans post Bartman) It’s the biggest question in sports. I know a team that plays on West Madison St. that would love to have him.

2010 NBA Rookie Of The Year– Tyreke Evans. Kings: My 2nd favorite player in the 2009 NBA Draft, who for some un-godly reason went 4th, takes home my R.O.Y. award. Evans is playing point guard for the hapless Kings, but he is a classic combo guard who is giving Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace nightmares. Wallace could have taken Evans with the 2 pick last year, but settled on 7′ 3” stiff, Hasheem Thabeet. We’ll get to Wallace later. Evans is on pace to join the elite group of Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson and LeBron James as the only rookies to average 20-5-5 in their rookie seasons. Evans could end up being the best player from a surprisingly good ’09 draft class, depending on how long Blake Griffin plays for the Clippers. The look on Blake Griffin’s face when the Clippers won the lottery last may was priceless. I’ve heard his knee instantly started giving him problems. You have to love the Clippers curse. His combination of quickness and power make him a bitch to try and guard. The Warriors Stephen Curry is a close 2nd. I love Curry’s game– he’s averaging 16.5 ppg, 5.6 apg, and 4.2 rpg for the young Warriors. He is the sole reason (along with Chris Cohan selling the Dubs) that Warriors fans are excited for the future. He is further along as an NBA point guard than I thought he’d be– great passer, great feel for the game, and ability to break down the defender. Just imagine if the OKC Thunder had taken either Curry or Evans at the 3 pick? Oh, my God, would that team be loaded. The Bucks’, Brandon Jennings, started fast, hit a lull, and had rebounded in leading Milwaukee to the playoffs. However, Evans has meant the most to his team throughout the course of the year. That’s why it’s hard to overlook him as the choice here. He plays like a vet, and has Kings fans excited for the years ahead.

Scott Skiles has helped Brandon Jennings go from a huge question mark to Rookie Of The Year candidate.

2010 NBA Coach Of The Year– Scott Skiles. Bucks: The best X’s and O’s coach in the game has taken a team, most thought was the worst in the Eastern Conference, to the playoffs in a dramatic turnaround. I was furious when the Bulls let him go when John Paxson’s soft minded “core” tuned him out. All he’s done since then is land on his feet with a good young team, coach up a raw rookie point guard, and turn former number 1 pick-bust Andrew Bogut into one of the best interior players in the game before his gruesome injury. Skiles’ teams always are close to the top of the league in defense ( The Bucks are currently 7th in points allowed), and they always get what they want out of timeouts and in-bounds plays. The guy who once tried to fight Shaquille O’Neal in practice for not practicing hard enough may be a pain in the ass, but he knows what he’s doing. OKC’s, Scott Brooks, will get some consideration, but there should be an investigation if Skiles doesn’t win this award. Coach Skiles………Bulls fans miss you.

Side Note: I’d take Skiles in a fight with Shaq and not think twice. That bulldog never quit.

2010 Shaquille O’Neal “I Don’t Realize I’m Not Good anymore” Award– Kevin Garnett. Celtics: It’s really sad to see what has become of KG. The normal wear and tear would be enough for a player who has played more than 1,180 games, but isn’t the same player post knee injury. It was a more serious injury than the Celtics said, and we will never see the old KG. The reason he gets this award? Because he continues to run his mouth like he’s 2004 KG. I was done with him after the Bulls series last year when he made a complete ass of himself. He’s like watching Evander Holyfield fight at 46. Celtics fans are throwing up on themselves right now.

2010 NBA 6th Man Of The Year– Jamal Crawford. Hawks: I was going to give the award to Rasheed Wallace of the Celtics for his stellar play throughout the course of the season– Just kidding,  had to see if you were still paying attention. The only team ‘Sheed should make this year is the Dunkin Donuts All-Stars. I watched the Blazers-Lakers Game 7 of the 2000 WCF last week, and damn was ‘Sheed a baller back then. Seeing him now is just sad. He plays from 3 point line to 3 point line, and his man boobs make him look like Ric Flair. Great sign by Danny Ainge giving him a 3 year contract that will pay him $6.7 million in 2011-2012. As for Crawford, he has earned this award for the playoff bound Hawks. He is averaging 17.8 ppg in the 6th man role. The beauty of Crawford’s season is that he has finally “gotten it”. Watching Jamal when he was with the Bulls was like watching a guy at the local gym you hoop at trying to get noticed. He still has his “Jack up shots because I’m still Jamal Crawford” moments, but they aren’t nearly as frequent. Considering coming into this season he had the lowest winning percentage of any NBA player, it wouldn’t shock me if he shot the Hawks right out of the playoffs in round 2.

Dwight Howard will be doing this a lot to Shaqozuna come playoff time.

2010 NBA Defensive Player Of The Year– Dwight Howard. Magic: His offensive statistics may not be what most analysts would hope, but Howard is the most dominant defensive player in the league. If you don’t believe me, ask Derrick Rose about going at Superman. If you actually watch the Magic play, you’ll know that his 3- point happy teammates are too busy jacking up 3′s instead of throwing the ball into him and letting him pass out of double teams. His offensive game has improved. He’s added a nice shoulder fake to his jump hook, and he is playing more under control. He may never be 2000 Shaq, but he can play on my team any day. He guards the paint exceptionally well, when turn style teammates Vince Carter and Rashard Lewis let their man go by them like they have a case of herpes. He’s pulling down 13.3 boards per game and 2.70 blocks, and is the run- away winner of my Defensive Player Of The Year. I can’t wait for him to dominate Shaqozuna in the playoffs, and hopefully shut Shaq’s mouth once and for all.

2010 Sam Smith Award– The New York Media: This award goes to the most annoying member of the media who shouldn’t have a forum to give his or her thoughts. The entire New York basketball media (Sans Mitch Lawrence) wins this year because of the garbage that continues to be spewed from that city. If I have to read about another top star who’s “Going to sign with the Knicks” I may jump off a bridge. LeBron isn’t going to that rag tag Knicks team. Neither is Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade. Joe Johnson? Maybe. Only because he wants the limelight. The hot new rumor is the Knicks waiting until 2011 and signing Carmelo Anthony when his contract is up. New York continues to think that it is the epicenter of the sports world despite having one of the league’s worst rosters. Oh yea, their best player David Lee is going to flee that cesspool quicker than Chicago was eliminated from 2016 Olympic consideration.

2010 NBA Jerry Krause of the 2000′s Executive Of The Year Award– Chris Wallace- Grizzlies & David Kahn Timberwolves: I couldn’t think of two finer basketball idiots for this award. Wallace should win for the fact he took Thabeet over Evans. I didn’t like Thabeet after Dejaun Blair beasted him twice in college last year. If that wasn’t enough, he signed ALLEN IVERSON!! All he had to do was take Evans, who was right in his back yard at Memphis, and it would allow him to decide whether Rudy Gay or OJ Mayo fit with him. Evans is better than either, and if Gay leaves as expected this summer for a team who will over pay (Clippers), it would soften the blow. It would have also allowed him the luxury to deal Mayo for a true point to pair with Evans. Sorry, but Mike Conley doesn’t do it for me. David Kahn gets to split the giant turd award because, despite dealing for the 5th and 6th picks in last years draft, he somehow F’ed the whole thing up. Kahn took advantage of the Wizards Ernie Grunfeld’s stupidity and stole the 5th pick in ’09 draft in addition to the 6th selection. Kahn’s “master plan” backfired when Spain’s Ricky Rubio fell to the 5 spot and Kahn drafted the Spanish phenom. That’s all fine and well if he didn’t immediately take Syracuse’s Johnny Flynn at 6!! How? Why? Who does that? Rubio was, of course, offended and stayed away. All Kahn had to do was take Rubio at 5 and Stephen Curry at 6 and he’d have a young dynamic backcourt to join Al Jefferson and Kevin Love. My dream of running an NBA team is still alive, thanks to these two morons.

2010 NBA ’86-87 Michael Jordan Award– Dwyane Wade- Heat: This award goes to the player who does everything for his team, except sell popcorn. Poor D wade. It’s bad enough he’s had to rehab from knee and shoulder injuries, but the fact he has to carry the worst playoff bound roster for 82 plus games can’t be good for his back. He could make it easier on himself and join Derrick Rose in Chicago this summer, but he’ll probably stay in South Beach and never compete for another title. It’s a shame, really, because he deserves better. He’s had to carry the Heat the last 2 years by himself. Michael Beasley is a knucklehead, their point guards are barely D-League quality, and Jermaine O’Neal’s corpse is really stinking up the teams locker room. Your hometown is waiting for you Dwyane…….

Ring number 5 is in Kobe's sights, and he's not about to let The King dethrone him.

2010 Don’t Forget About Me, I’m still Lurking Award– Kobe Bryant- Lakers: The Black Mamba has fought off a busted right index finger, a sprained ankle, and all of the other bumps and bruises from a guy who has played over 1,100 NBA games to hit 7 game winners. He’s averaging 27.5 ppg, 5 apg, and 5.3 rpg. Kobe may not be the same athlete, but he continues to refine his game like a certain number 23 did post 1st retirement. He worked with Hakeem Olajuwon last summer on his post moves, and he has added that to his game. The guy keeps getting better and keeps winning rings. The Lakers remain the odds on favorite if Andrew Bynum is healthy for the playoffs. Ring number 5 would add to Kobe’s legacy.

2010 I’m The Future, Get The Hell Out Of My Way Award– Kevin Durant- Thunder: You know I had to include an award for my man- crush, right? Durant is 2nd in the league in scoring at 29.7 ppg, scored 25 plus in 29 straight games, scored 30 plus in 7 straight games, is shooting .485% from the field, .376% from 3, and .881% from the line. As I wrote earlier this season, he is capable of averaging 35 a game without breaking a sweat. He remains my number one pick if I’m starting a franchise. The kid doesn’t have a ceiling. Lookout world.

2010 Rasheed Wallace Weed Smoking King Award– Michael Beasley- Heat: Beasley constantly looks like he does his pre-game stretch in Snoop Dogg’s green room. He is this generations Tracy McGrady. T-Mac always looked like he hit the bong before games, and Beasley has that same look. That would explain his periods of laziness, indifference to defense, mental lapses, and occasional run for nachos during timeouts. Okay I made the last one up, but would it shock you if it were true? Didn’t think so.

2010 NBA Vinny Del Negro Award– Vinny Del Negro- Bulls: This inaugural award goes to the worst coach in the NBA. It will become a staple of my NBA awards, and maybe all sports awards list I do in the future. He is in over his head, can’t draw up a decent play, has zero credibility, gives Italians a bad name, and will be fired the second the Bulls season ends. He is on the Mount Rushmore of all-time bad NBA coaches. Salute Vinny! It was quite the ride.

2010 NBA Luol Deng “Soft Player” Award– Luol Deng- Bulls: Mr. $71 million dollars is hurt again, and will not even think of coming back to help his team make the playoffs until he is 100%. What a joke this guy is. It’s bad enough he can’t dribble, create his own shot, move his feet on defense, or get to the foul line– but to play the “I can’t play until I’m 100%” card is inexcusable. I get it that it’s not his fault the Bulls stupidly gave him the richest contract in team history, but you’d think he’d have the heart to want to help his team. As a Bulls fan, I hope he stays out because I like what I’m seeing from rookie James Johnson. JJ is raw, but he has some natural skills, and can do things athletically, and with the ball, that Luol couldn’t do playing at Lakeshore Athletic Club in Chicago. The NBA……..Where “An average player gets paid $71 million dollars” happens.

Important Side Note: I hate to end my 2010 NBA Awards on a sour Luol Deng note, so to my fellow Bulls fans, we are only 4 months from July 1, 2010, and no more than 1 month until Vinny Del Negro is on the first Concord out of town. There, I feel much better.