NBA Midseason Awards

By: Nick Pope

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As January ends, so does the first half of the NBA regular season. In the first full season since the lockout, teams around the league are shifting their focus on the second half of the season and making a push toward the playoffs. With every team having played at least 41 games, here is the way things stand.

MVP - Kevin Durant, SF, Oklahoma City Thunder

The OKC swingman has only picked up where he left off after winning his third straight scoring title last season. Durant is on pace to win his fourth straight, averaging 29.6 points per game. He also has the Thunder tied for the best record in the NBA at 34-11. After losing in the NBA Finals last season, Durant has his team poised for a return to the grand stage in June.

Honorable Mention - LeBron James, SF, Miami Heat; Carmelo Anthony, SF, New York Knicks.

Coach of the Year - Mark Jackson, Golden State Warriors

The former ESPN analyst has found his footing as an NBA coach. After a disappointing 23-win season in his first season, Jackson has the Warriors at 27-17, currently the fifth seed in the Western Conference. Jackson hopes to return the Warriors to the playoffs for the first time in six years.

Honorable Mention - Mike Woodson, New York Knicks; Vinny Del Negro, Los Angeles Clippers

Rookie of the Year - Damian Lillard, PG, Portland Trail Blazers

Lillard has immediately become the star in Portland after being drafted sixth overall last June. Averaging 18.3 points per game, along with 6.6 assists, the Trail Blazers are only a game out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

Honorable Mention - Anthony Davis, PF, New Orleans Hornets; Harrison Barnes, SF, Golden State Warriors

Comeback Player of the Year - Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

Curry only managed to play in 26 games last year due to an ankle injury, resulting in the Warriors only having 23 wins last year. Despite being an All-Star Game snub, Curry is averaging 21.0 points per game this season, which makes him the team’s leading scorer. With the Warriors on the rise, Curry looks like he is healthy and ready to make a run come playoff time.

Honorable Mention – Brook Lopez, C, Brooklyn Nets

Most Improved - Jrue Holiday, PG, Philadelphia 76ers

Although Philadelphia is in the middle of a disappointing season, don’t blame it on their point guard. Holiday is averaging six more points per game this season than last year, along with an average of nine assists a game. Holiday is doing his part to make up for the losses of Andre Iguodala and Louis Williams, along with the unavailability of newly acquired center Andrew Bynum.

Honorable Mention - J.R. Smith, SG, New York Knicks

Sixth Man - J.R. Smith, SG, New York Knicks

Smith is one the main reasons for the Knicks success this season, averaging 16.2 points per game, which is 4 points up from his career average. But where J.R. has improved the most this season is his team play. He has improved his shot selection and defense, two areas where he has been criticized in past seasons.

Honorable Mention - Jamal Crawford, SG, Los Angeles Clippers

Defensive Player of the Year - Joakim Noah, C, Chicago Bulls

Noah is known as the “most annoying player in the NBA,” but not without good reason; the former Florida Gator is averaging 7.2 defensive rebounds per game along with 2.1 blocks a contest. Noah is a key reason why the Bulls are 3^rd in the East, despite the absence of Derrick Rose.

Honorable Mention – Tyson Chandler, C, New York Knicks