Posted February 15, 200619 yr comment_4515905 I figure it is more than halfway through the season and now would be an interesting time to see who everyone would predict for the year-end categories. I know it is fashionable to pick these things at the end of the season but I am a little bothered by that because most people tend to echo the opinions of the national and/or local media guys. So, be a clarvoyant and look into the future... NBA MVP: NBA Defensive Player of the Year: NBA Most Improved Player: NBA 1st Team (5 players): NBA Champions: Hell, might as well throw in an NFL prediction as well... Who goes 2nd in the draft since Houston has already said Reggie Bush goes #1?
February 15, 200619 yr comment_4515939 MVP: Lebron James NBA Most Improved Player: MELO Anthony Defensive Player of the Year Ron Artest NBA Champions: Pistons Coach of the Year Avery Johnson (Mavs) or Mike Brown (Cavs) NBA 1st Team (5 players): PG: Nash SG: KOBE SF: Lebron James PF: Elton Brand C: Gasol
February 15, 200619 yr comment_4515979 NBA MVP: Steve Nash should win, but I think Kobe Bryant will win it. Media bias towards LA. NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Andrei Kirilenko. Guy brings it every night on the defensive end. Had Artest not missed 2 months, I could see him winning this. NBA Most Improved Player: Mehmet Okur- If Pau Gasol was playing even half a level below what he is now, this guy would be an All Star. NBA 1st Team (5 players): Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Elton Brand, Ben Wallace. If Jermaine O'Neal and Marcus Camby had not gotten hurt and missed significant time, I would probrably have them in place of Elton and Ben. NBA Champions: Detroit Pistons. Even with the recent skid, they are just a level above everyone else. If the Spurs can get healthier, they are right up there. The Mavs are my darkhorse pick because they actually play some semblence of defense this year, although still not on the level of Detroit or SA.
February 15, 200619 yr comment_4516859 NBA MVP- Dwayne Wade, Miami Heat No one from Detroit is dominant enough to contend, the Lakers aren't doing well enough for Kobe to get recognized, etc. Steve Nash could win this one again if the Suns go from treading water in the West with him keeping things together to them kicking ass and taking names if Amare Stoudamire comes back and does well. Defensive Player- Not as sure about this one... I'd probably go with Ben Wallace, Detroit Pistons. Most Improved Player- David West, New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets This guy was considered a bench player 4 life until he ended up with the Hornets with Chris Paul by his side. Coach of the Year- Byron Scott, New Orleans / Oklahoma City Hornets This is rewarding Scott for the turnaround despite the fact that Chris Paul and the team's GM seem to have more to do with it than Scott himself. Another worthy contender would be Flip Saunders, who has taken over in Detroit and has had the team on a record pace this year, which is more than can be said for ex-coach Larry Brown's train-wreck in New York. NBA Champs- Detroit Pistons (No one looks able to knock them off) #2 pick in the NFL draft- If the 'Aints don't trade, it'll be Matt Leinart. Leinart proved himself a leader while at USC and showed the ability to make good decisions, which is what the team needs after the Aaron Brooks era. Even if they DO trade, it'll probably be Leinart with an outside chance of Vince Young in his place. No one else projected in the top five (D'Brickashaw Ferguison, Lendale White, AJ Hawk, D'Angelo Williams, etc.) seems to be worth the #2 pick... Instead, teams will attempt to trade for the Jets' #4 pick for those guys.
February 16, 200619 yr comment_4517445 Hell, might as well throw in an NFL prediction as well... Who goes 2nd in the draft since Houston has already said Reggie Bush goes #1? Forgot to answer this one. I think with Leinert publicly saying he would play for NO if they picked him, I think he'll go with the second pick and Vince Young will be an understudy for Steve McNair in Titanland.
February 16, 200619 yr comment_4518824 NBA MVP: Steve Nash. I don't think it's really close. Remember, Jordan didn't win it the year he scored 3,000, either. NBA Defensive Player of the Year: I'm going to go with the sentimental choice and say Alonzo Mourning. Ben Wallace will most likely win, though, maybe AK. NBA Most Improved Player: David West NBA 1st Team (5 players): C: Ben Wallace F: Elton Brand F: LeBron James G: Kobe Bryant G: Steve Nash
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