Decisions..Decisions..It's Award Time!

As the best NBA season in my lifetime winds down, and the presenting of awards, looms in every NBA fan's head, it is time to hand out the 2008 Crossover Hoops Awards. The race to the MVP, this year, has been one of, if not the closest races in the history of the award. So lets can the small talk, and get on with the awards!


Coach of the Year: Byron Scott-New Orleans Hornets: I'm sure people predicted the Hornets to be good this year. Yeah they had a decent chance at the playoffs, maybe the 2nd or 3rd best record in their division, but I don't think anyone thought they would win their division, and compete for the best record in the conference. Yeah, they had a lot of help from MVP candidate Chris Paul, but I think Byron Scott deserves most of the credit. He has helped Tyson Chandler, a potential bust, transform into a great center, and has turned David West into the all-star he is today. Although New Orleans lack of playoff experience will haunt them throughout the playoffs, I still see them putting up a good fight against Byron Scott's former floor general, Jason Kidd and the Mavericks.
-Runner Up: Eddie Jordan, Washington Wizards

6th Man of the Year: Manu Ginobili-SG-San Antonio Spurs: I really think that there should be rules to this award, because players like Manu and Leandro Barbosa, who do come off the bench, play more minutes than most of the starters, not only on their teams, but other teams as well. Unfortunately, I don't make the rules. So, I just went with the obvious pick for this award, and picked maybe the best "sixth-man" in NBA history. Manu Ginobili. Manu is one of the best clutch players in this game, and he brings it every night. He has been San Antonio's MVP this year, and he deserves to be recognized. He is having a career year in almost every statistical category, and since Barbosa got the award last year, I'm giving it to Manu this year.
Runner Up: Leandro Barbosa, G, Phoenix Suns

Most Improved Player of the Year: Rudy Gay-F-Memphis Grizzlies: There was no question, that when this kid was drafted in '06, he had the potential to be a superstar. It was just uncertain whether or not he had the drive to reach his potential. Well, he has shown this year, that he going to be a very special player in this league for years to come, even though he's playing for one of the worst teams in the league(the Memphis Grizzlies). He's about doubled his scoring average, and has improved in almost every statistical category, from last year. If Rudy continues to improve at this rate, he will be an All-Star for years to come, possibly even an MVP candidate if Memphis builds around him correctly. Look for Rudy to improve even more next year and fight for a spot on the Western Conference All-Stars.
-Runner Up: Chris Kaman, C, Los Angeles Clippers

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant-SG/SF-Seattle Supersonics: Without a doubt in my mind, is Kevin Durant the R.O.Y. He lead all rookies in scoring(20.3) and free-throw percentage(87.3), as well as putting up solid defensive numbers for a rookie(.96 steals and .94 blocks per game, while only committing 1.53 fouls per contest). Durant is a great scorer, and has the potential to become one of the league's best defenders, due to the length of his arms. He has all the tools to become a top 5 player in this league, and will only improve as his career goes on.
-Runner Up: Al Horford, C, Atlanta Hawks

Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett-PF-Boston Celtics: Although his numbers this year are all well below his career averages, KG has done something more than just put up numbers. He has transformed a Celtics defense, which last year, allowed an embarrassing, 99.2 points per game on 46.8% shooting, into one of the leagues best defenses, holding their opponent's to only 90.3 points per game on a ridiculous 41.9% shooting. If that doesn't warrant the nod for the league's best defensive player, I do not know what does.
-Runner Up: Marcus Camby, C, Denver Nuggets

Most Valuable Player of the Year: Kobe Bryant-SG-Los Angeles Lakers: It's pretty much a done deal that Kobe has this award on lock down, due to the minor collapse of Chris Paul during the month of April. KB24, has shown everyone whose been a doubter anytime in the last 12 years, once again, that he is the best player in the league. He may not be MJ or Magic, but he's something else, he's Kobe, and he'll go down as one of the top 10 players ever, but that doesn't matter now, all that matters is that he had great numbers, helped all of his teammates get better, oh yeah, and led the Lakers to the best record in the toughest conference in NBA history. My boy finally gets the credit he deserves, even though all he cares about is the 4th piece of gold on his finger.
-Runner Up: Chris Paul, PG, New Orleans Hornets

All-NBA First Team
G-Chris Paul, New Orleans
G-Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles LAkers
F-LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
F-Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
C-Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

All-NBA Second Team
G-Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns
G-Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
F-Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
F-Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns
C-Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

All-NBA Third Team
G-Allen Iverson, Denver Nuggets
G- Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
F- Antwan Jamison, Washington Wizards
F-Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz
F-Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks

All-Defensive First Team
G-Chris Paul
G-Kobe Bryant
F-Shane Battier
F-Kevin Garnett
C-Marcus Camby

All-Defensive Second Team
G-Rajon Rondo
G-Raja Bell
F-Bruce Bowen
F-Tim Duncan
C-Tyson Chandler

All-Rookie First Team
G-Kevin Durant
G-Juan Carlos Navarro
F-Al Thornton
F-Luis Scola
C-Al Horford

All-Rookie Second Team
G-Mike Conley
G-Rodney Stuckey
F-Thaddeus Young
F-Jeff Green
C-Joakim Noah



So there you have it, Crossover Hoops 2008 Awards Presentation. Hope you enjoyed them. Playoff predictions are coming up in the next few hours so if your an active reader, check back soon.