NBA Mid-Season Awards: Is Defensive Player of The Year Award Tyson Chandler's to Lose?

Tyson Chandler, Larry Sanders, Serge Ibaka and Tony Allen are the league's premier defenders.

New York City.  The Big Apple abuzz as the fans flock to the MSG to see their Knicks who are having one of their best seasons in a long time.  Some might give the credit to Carmelo Anthony, some the coaching of Mike Woodson or the bench depth.  While all of these are contributing factors, Tyson Chandler is New York's unsung hero.

The DPOY award goes to the player whose defense most contributes to their teams success.  The New York Knicks currently sit comfortably in the 2nd spot in the East, much do to their defensive anchor; Tyson Chandler.  Before Chandler signed as a free agent, NYK was one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and remained in that position after Chandler joined under the D'Antoni system.  With D'Antoni being fired, Mike Woodson stepped in and started to draw up defensive sets that allowed Chandler to show what he was signed for.  This season, New York is a great defensive team, all do to Tyson Chandler who holds down the middle, and blocks and alters shots.

Serge Ibaka is the second coming of Dikembe Mutombo.  Both Congonese, both incredible shot blockers.  Ibaka leads the defense of one of the premier teams in the league, and averages almost 3 bpg.  Ibaka has an uncanny ability to send opponents shots into the bleachers, and puts the thought in opponents heads, modfiying their shot taking and confidence.  Oklahoma City Thunder has the number 6 Defensive Rating in the NBA and this is almost all due to Serge Ibaka's incredible shot altering and defensive presence.

The Milwaukee Bucks have made incredible leaps in the past year, as has their young big Larry Sanders.  Leading the league in blocked shots with 3.05 bpg, and his defensive progress is one of the major reason for the teams recent success.  Larry Sanders plays only 25 minutes per game, but still leads the NBA in blocks, showing off his defensive and shot blocking prowess.

"Grit! Grind!"-Tony Allen on his style of play.  Allen's tenure with the Memphis Grizzlies is riddled with defensive plays and highlights and yes, lots of grit, and lots of grind.  The Grizzlies 2-guard is definitely not the flashiest player, nor is he very flashy at all, but he always plays to the best of his abilities and plays hard and passionately.  While Allen doesn't lead the league in steals or blocks, his defense changes the game more than anybody else's.

The Verdict:

While this is a four horse race, and will be fairly close in the end, it will be a photo finish between Tyson Chandler and Larry Sanders.  Chandler and Sanders are the players whose defense has the most effect on their team, and have helped their teams make the greatest strides since upping the ante on defense.

NBA Mid-Season Awards: Can Anyone Take MVP From LeBron?

Olympic Teammates During The Off-season, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, and Chris Paul Are Now Fighting to Win the MVP

The NBA MVP is not awarded to the best basketball player in the league, but rather to the one that contributes most to a highly successful team.  Following the criteria of selecting an MVP which includes the players’ leadership, team record and statistical numbers, the race to the honour is narrowed down to a handful of stars in a  tightly contested battle for the most prestigious award in the NBA.

Only a small few players can flaunt the honour of contending, let alone winning the Most Valuable Player award.  This year, those small few include the likes of Oklahoma City Thunder’s  forward Kevin Durant, Los Angeles Clippers’  point guard Chris Paul and of course, the best baller on the planet, reigning MVP, Miami Heat’s forward LeBron James.

At mid-season,  Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Clippers and the Miami Heat occupy 3 of the top 4 spots in the league, so the 3 superstars are doing something right.

 

If the season were to end today, Chris Paul would have led the Clippers to the 3^rd best record in the Western Conference, and in the entire league, upping their winning percentage from .606 to .708, a significant difference in the span off a few short months.  As Paul has led the Clippers to an outstanding record, he has season averages of 16.6 ppg, 9.7 apg, 3.5 rpg and a league leading 2.56 spg in only 33.5 minutes of playing time.  Added onto these statistics, Paul is 7^th in the league in Player Efficiency with a PER of +23.3.  Not only does Paul have exceptional statistical impact on his team’s success, before the trade that sent him to Tinseltown, the Clippers had a disappointing record of 32-50.  When he arrived in LA, he made them an immediate playoff team and title contender.

Kevin Durant is the high scoring sensation, leading the charge for one of the elite teams in the league.  Sitting in 2^nd place in the entire league, this young star has done a superb job of carrying the heavy weight of a franchise on his long, scrawny shoulders.  Leading the league in ppg with an average of 29.6, as well as averaging 1.6 spg, 1.2 bpg, 4.5 apg and 7.4 rpg.  KD is also 2^nd in the league in Player Efficiency with a rating of +31.22.  KD is the youngest scoring champion in NBA history, and has been the scoring champ for 3 years in a row, and is due to get another at the end of this season.  At age 24, Durant is already considered one of the best players in the NBA, widely thought of as 2^nd best (behind LeBron), and is more than ready to get his first MVP nod this year.  Kevin Durant is also about to join an elite club of very few players to average 50% from the field, 40% from the arc, and 90% from the charity stripe.

Then we get to the King, LeBron James.  LBJ is the best basketball player in the world right now, he can do everything on the court, and does on a nightly basis.  If MVP was based purely on skill level LeBron’s trophy cabinet would be overflowing with honours.  Unfortunately this is not the case.  LeBron led his Miami Heat team to a championship last season, becoming the first player since Michael Jordan to win MVP, Finals MVP, A Championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.  Leading the league in PER with a rating of +31.28, and shows off his overall abilities by ranking 4^th in points, 16^th in steals, 28^th in rebounds, 11^th in assists and shooting 54.7% from the field.  LeBron is the obvious favourite to win, but crazier things have happened.  Being in the company of Chris Paul and Kevin Durant, an upset might be brewing.

The Verdict:
While LeBron is the clear choice to win this award, he will not be taking home a trophy at season’s end.  Neither will Chris Paul.  Kevin Durant is having one of the best, if not the best year of his very short, and very successful career.  When it comes time to decide a winner, Durant will be rewarded for his hard work and numbers.  Kevin Durant: 2013 NBA MVP. 

Allen Iverson: Career Officially Over?

The past few weeks, many reports and rumors came out of the Dallas Maverick’s front office.  These reports and rumors have to do with a possible NBA comeback for Allen Iverson.  Does the Answer still have a chance at a comeback, or is he gone for good?

2 years, 344 days ago, Allen Iverson walked off the NBA hardwood one final time.  The date was February 22^nd and he left the 76ers indefinitely to attend to his 4 year old daughter’s health issues.  8 days later General Manager Ed Stefanski declared that Allen Iverson would not be returning to the team he earlier built his legacy with.  Since then, rumors have been swirling around and around of possible signings, contracts, interest in teams, and comebacks.  All of these countless rumors amounted to nothing.  News leaked that the Dallas Mavericks were interested in signing the 37 year old guard, if he proved himself worthy of a spot on their roster by playing in the NBA Development League for a short time.  When approached by the team, Iverson declined the offer.  Gary Moore, Iverson’s manager said “While he appreciates the interest the Dallas affiliate has shown in him and that option was there for him if he wanted to take that route, he's not going to that route,”

It seems as though since the day he left, Allen Iverson has been vigorously trying to make his way back into the league he was once the star of, but every time and opportunity arises he turns it down, never without a great reason, but then continues to tell the media how badly he wants to come back.  Last year a similar event occurred, the Los Angeles Lakers offered him a spot on their D-League counterpart, and just as he did with every other time, he rejected it. 

As a fan of Allen Iverson, it is very difficult to ask the following question, but based on the rollercoaster ride of Iverson rumors the past few years, and the fact that he still isn’t back in the L, it must be asked.  How badly does Allen Iverson actually want this?  I believe he wants to come back, very badly.  But not bad enough.  In order for him to come back he will have to put his honour and pride aside and do whatever it takes for a team to give him a contract.  Not playing in the D-League and not giving a reason seems as though he believes he is above that, and should do something with more honour in it to find a way back.

As much as I respect Allen Iverson, and as big a fan as I am, the answer to the question on everyone’s mind, is yes;  the Answer’s career, is officially and completely, over.

Allen Iverson Delivered the Game Ball at a Philadelphia 76ers Playoff Game in 2012 and Had and Emotional Reunion With His Most Loyal Fans.

Rondo-less Celtics: Playoffs or Not?

During a Post-game Interview With Doris Burke, Paul Pierce is Told of Rondo's Torn ACL.

The look on Paul Pierce’s face as he learnt of his teammate’s injury sums up perfectly how all Boston Celtics fans, Rajon Rondo fans, and NBA fans felt when the news was broken that Rondo had torn his ACL.  Pain, heartbreak and loss of hope.

With Boston Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo out for the season with a torn ACL, the Boston Celtics will inevitably become a weaker team.  With the league leader in assists per game now out, and Avery Bradley, Leandro Barbosa and Jason Terry manning the point guard, the Celtics championship window appears to be closed.  For good.  Avery Bradley is one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, but his ability to play point guard is questionable and untested and Jason Terry while able to play the 1, is more accustomed and suited to play shooting guard.  That leaves Leandro Barbosa, who while a solid contributor and scorer coming off the bench (won the 2007 Sixth Man of the Year Award), is not the man I would want filling in my perennial all-star’s spot, not to mention his eagerness to be traded away from the green and white.

This brings up the next issue.  The Playoffs.  As of today, the Celtics are sitting in the 8^th spot in the Easter Conference with a disappointing record of 22-23, and are 2-0 without Rondo, but I do not expect them to be able to hold up without him for much longer.  One spot behind them in the standings are the Philadelphia 76ers, who are 19-26.  Led by young and rising point guard Jrue Holiday, a first time all-star this year, and with All-NBA big Andrew Bynum’s return on the horizon, the core of youthful and promising players may bump off the Celtics and take the final playoff spot. 

While both of these teams are sub-par this season, the chase for the final playoff spot will be tightly contested.  Who makes the playoffs depends on 2 factors.

1.   Boston Celtics blowing up their roster and starting a rebuilding process, or trading aging veterans for young up-and-comings.

2.  Philadelphia 76ers centre Andrew Bynum’s return.  The sooner, the better the chance of post-season action.

If Boston can pull off a trade for a young all-star, they may gain an edge over the 76ers, but if Philly’s big man can come back fully healthy, soon, and adjust to the system change, they will get the upper hand.  For the time being we’ll just have to wait and see.