It seems that every season brings a broiling debate over who should be the league's Most Valuable Player. Phoenix Suns point guard, Steve Nash, won the award for the second consecutive time last season, and with an amazing supporting cast in place again this year, Nash should be an early front runner for the NBA's highest individual award.
Is Ben Wallace, now wearing Chicago red, poised to be the Defensive Player of the Year for a record fourth time? Who will be Rookie of the Year? Coach of the Year? Lean back in your chair, and wonder no more, because Suite101.com has all of the answers.
League MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: After three uncanny seasons, and a near miss in MVP voting last year, it's time for LeBron to get his due. King James' statistics are flat out sick. The kid isn't even 22, yet, but he's already surpassed 6,000 points, 1,500 rebounds and 1,500 assists in his short, three year career. LeBron James attacks the rim, shoots the three, swats shots, defends the perimeter and the paint, but, best of all, he makes others better. LeBron James led the Cavaliers to a playoff series victory in 2005-2006 and, barring any key injuries, he's certain to take them even deeper this season. If the pieces fall into place, there's no denying King James the NBA MVP trophy this year.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings: We were reluctant with this one, because there's always a chance that the petulant Artest will be suspended, arrested or simply decide he's tired of basketball and wind up not finishing the season. Should he make a whole season, Artest is our guy to overthrow Ben Wallace for the NBA's toughest award. Not only will Artest get two steals and upwards of six rebounds per game (huge carom numbers for a guard), he will defend the opponent's best player nightly and, in most cases, shut him down. We don't have to like Artest, but we certainly admire his game.
Rookie of the Year: Randy Foye, Minnesota Timberwolves: Don't be shocked to see the Villanova star starting in Minnesota from the get go. Randy Foye made a mockery of the competition, en route to winning MVP honors at the Las Vegas Summer League. He averaged nearly 25 points per game on .530 shooting. Not bad for a guy who will be playing alongside Kevin Garnett.
Coach of the Year: Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers: We gave Mike Brown the benefit of the doubt in his first season with the Cavaliers, even when there were plenty of opportunities to question Mike Brown, who entered the job as a purported defensive guru. Early on, the Cavaliers were anything but defensive. Late in the season and during two playoff series, though, Cleveland exerted itself, and Brown's scheme made sense.
Fifty wins with a team that touts LeBron James and an imposing front line might seem unremarkable, but the Cavaliers were very suspect at point guard and stellar shooting guard, Larry Hughes, missed much of the season with an injury. If the Cleveland Cavaliers remain healthy, and LeBron continues his improvement (is this humanly possible?), Cleveland should threaten 60 victories and take a number one or two seed into the playoffs. If any of this comes to fruition, etch Brown's name on the NBA Coach of the Year trophy.
