And the first-half winners are...

The second half of the NBA season is underway. I look back at the first half and hand down my own set of awards to the deserving players.

Most Valuable Player

Kobe Bryant – There are 81 big reasons why number 8 is number 1. Many have compared him to the great Michael Jordan and why not? They have similar numbers. They have pretty much the same built, the same shoe company, the same charisma, the same moves, the same killer instinct, and even the same swagger. In fact, Kobe has surpassed MJ in some scoring feats, notable the 81 point game that is considered the highest scoring game ever recorded. The bottom line is Kobe is single-handedly carrying the Lakers, which would make the playoffs if the season had ended now. Right now, Kobe Bryant is the best NBA player – not LeBron James nor anyone else. His all around game is brilliant and his clutch shooting is even more impressive. And like MJ, there’s no one better with the ball when the game is on the line. Kobe Bryant has patterned his game after His Airness. And so far, he’s doing a good job at it.
(Runners-up: Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash)

Rookie of the Year

Chris Paul – This is a no-brainer. At the all-star break, Chris Paul leads all rookies with averages of 15.9 points and 7.7 assists on the season.. Speaking of all-star, he should have been in Houston as an all-star as he has carried the overachieving New Orleans-Oklahoma City Hornets to the seventh-best record in the very tough Western Conference. The fourth overall pick out of Wake Forest, Paul is the best rookie point guard in a while. For a third time in as many months, he has been named the NBA Rookie of the Month in the Western Conference.
(Runners-up: Channing Frye, Andrew Bogut)

Coach of the Year

Avery Johnson – Although experts pick Detroit’s Flip Saunders, I’d have to say Avery Johnson deserves the award more. He has steered the much improved Dallas Mavericks to the second best record in the NBA. Since taking over midway through last season, he currently has a winning percentage of 82% (59 wins, 13 losses). The “Little General” has transformed the once run-and-gun Mavs to a very respectable defensive team. Flip Saunders, on the other hand, has led the Pistons to the NBA’s best record. But let’s not forget that the Pistons were already a great team, having been in the NBA Finals the past two years and winning it all in 2004.
(Runners-up: Flip Saunders, Mike D’Antoni)

Defensive Player of the Year

Ben Wallace – It is only fitting that the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year should come from the NBA’s best defensive team – the best team for that matter. Big Ben, a two-time winner of this award, deserves it one more time, being the anchor on defense for the league-leading Detroit Pistons. As usual, he is among the league leaders in rebounds, blocked-shots, and steals. More importantly are the intangibles and hustle that he brings into the game. His defensive plays often have a big effect on the outcome of a game, just like his two blocks against Pau Gasol in the all-star game which ignited the Eastern Conference rally to win.
(Runners-up: Bruce Bowen, Andrei Kirilenko)

Most Improved Player of the Year

Boris Diaw – The emergence of Frenchman Boris Diaw has made people forget about Joe Johnson, who was traded to the Hawks last year. It was Diaw who was one of the lesser-known names involved in that trade. And as it has turned out, he has become one of the most versatile players in the league, and a fantasy stud. He is able to play all 5 positions on the court, which he has, making it easier for the Suns to run their offense without all-star Amare Stoudemire.
(Runners-up: Mike James, Smush Parker)