NBA midseason awards - Washington Examiner
One of the weirdest NBA seasons has reached the All-Star break. The condensed 66-game schedule has led to injuries and unusual roster decisions. So who has emerged from this oddity of a year as the midseason award winners?
MVP: LeBron James, Heat » James has developed a post-up game and has reduced the desire to chuck up shots from beyond the arc. The changes to his game have resulted in the most efficient shooting season of the two-time MVP's career. He's making 55 percent of his shots from the field, and when he does shoot a 3-pointer (he has only 63 attempts this season), he's connecting on 41.3 percent of them. If anyone not named LeBron James were averaging 27.6 points, 6.8 assists and 8.1 rebounds, they would be an MVP lock. But it almost has become expected of James. Honorable mention »
Kevin Durant, Thunder; Chris Paul, Clippers
Coach of the year : Gregg Popovich, Spurs » At 35 years old, Tim Duncan is not playing anywhere close to an All-Star level, and Manu Ginobili has played in just nine games this season, but the Spurs somehow have the second-best record in the Western Conference. Popovich is the reason why. He has altered the Spurs' style drastically over the last two seasons to utilize Tony Parker's strengths. San Antonio pushes the pace more, and Parker has excelled, averaging 19.5 points and 7.9 assists a game. Honorable mention »
Frank Vogel, Pacers; Kevin McHale, Rockets
Rookie of the year: Kyrie Irving, Cavaliers » The No. 1 pick has lived up to expectations, leading all rookies in scoring at 18.1 points a game. But more impressive is how he's transformed last year's worst team in the Eastern Conference to a competitive group that enters the break just outside of the playoff picture in ninth place. Irving also has proved to be a solid outside shooter, hitting 41.5 percent on 3-pointers. Honorable mention »
Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves; MarShon Brooks, Nets
- Jeffrey Tomik
24 Feb, 2012
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Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEisTqOnzQ_O8AyQtkwBUQaValV7Q&url=http://washingtonexaminer.com/sports/cheers-and-jeers/2012/02/nba-midseason-awards/306651
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