Banter's 2013 UnOfficial Awards

While the NBA does a reasonable job of handing out awards that honor players who've stood out in the regular season, the limited scope of six trophies leaves many deserving and shunned without recognition.

Though it many not be much consolation, those who've excelled in categories not recognized by the League ballots - but still made a memorable impression on this season, for better and worse - are getting their dues here, with Banter's UnOfficial Awards for 2013...

Bobby Boucher Trophy: James Harden, Houston Rockets

The player whose acquisition to a new team created the greatest positive impact.

Prior to last summer, Houston GM Darryl Morey had spent several well-chronicled seasons stockpiling middling tradeable assets in an attempt to land a premiere player; one capable of building a team around. He loaded his stash steadily, patiently waiting for the right opportunity. After factors of varying legitimacy thwarted his attempts to land Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, it should have surprised no one that the guy leading the "Nerdy GM" Revolution had triggered a deal with fellow chief-geek Sam Presti to land James Harden before the rest of the NBA had any idea Harden was available.

What also came as little surprise was Harden's immediate explosion in a larger role, but within Houston's high-octane, shoot-first-ask-questions-later offense, his athletic combination of playmaking and versatile scoring was a perfect fit for a dominant ball-handler, and The Beard became even more Fearsome than before. Largely as a result, Houston's in the Playoffs (highly unlikely pre-trade), and Harden has given them what they've worked years for: a legitimate star.

Regards to: JR Smith, OJ Mayo, Nikola Vucevic

Simmons BeautyRest Award: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The player who had an exceptional season and was generally slept on very hard by the NBA community.

When posterity reflects upon the 2012-13 NBA Season, or the career of one Stephen Curry, there's going to be a glaring historical injustice concerning his absence on this season's West All-Star team. Certainly, this was some kind of miscount, or perhaps a covertly-coordinated attempt by all the opposing coaches he'd shredded to rob a "fringe All-Star"; certainly they hadn't all forgotten.

While praise and an All-Star jersey were heaped upon David Lee, Curry continued performing at an excellent level, exponentially more important to Golden State's offense than Lee, and (rebounding aside) a noticeably better defender. In his first season as the Warriors' backcourt lead, he made short debate of the decision to keep him and trade Monta Ellis. He stayed healthy and elevated his game while Andrew Bogut did neither, taking his team to the Playoffs, where few had slotted them.

That he wasn't an All-Star is a testament to ignorance. That he likely won't be All-NBA is a testament to the quality of guards in today's game. Regardless, his impact this season can't be completely swept under the rug.

Regards to: Kenneth Faried, Mike Conley, JJ Hickson

Canibus Award: Michael Beasley, Phoenix Suns

The player who was primed to blow up this season, had plenty of opportunity, and didn't amount to much.

Watching Mike Beasley play basketball is one of the most genuinely frustrating experiences known to fans of the game. Equipped with a rare blend of pure power and raw athleticism, he also possesses an outstanding offensive skill set and the ability to swing between forward spots, which all put together is a seemingly foolproof recipe for NBA success.

The words "seemingly" and "foolproof" are of particular importance in this case, as Beasley regularly defies convention with his selfish, disconnected play, and general lack of acknowledgement that preventing the other team from scoring helps win games. Even with a change of scenery - going from Minnesota's suddenly expectation-filled snowy abyss to a rebuilding desert oasis where he would have plenty of room to make a name for himself - he continued to tease with the occasional glimpse of dominance, while mainly lapsing listlessly through a forgettable season that's beginning to define a forgettable career.

Regards to: DeMarcus Cousins, Javale McGee, Kyle Lowry

Kevin Willis Memorial Award: Derek Fisher, Oklahoma City Thunder

The player who demonstrates outstanding devotion to the game, defying most laws of common sense and physics with an utter refusal to retire.

I'm not really sure why Derek Fisher's still playing basketball professionally; he's made a ton of money, won more championships than 99.9% of players who will ever suit up in the NBA, and must sincerely value time with his loved ones after his daughter overcame a rare life- threatening illness (Fisher confirmed as much when he made Dallas waive him so he could re-sign with the Thunder and be with his family in OKC).

At this point I've concluded either one of two things: a) Fisher sincerely loves the game, or b) Fisher sincerely feels bad enough about the way the lockout went that he's willing to martyr himself as an easy match-up for the players he helped squander many millions on behalf of.

Either way, he's living embodiment of what this award's all about.

Regards to: Kurt Thomas, Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, 

Energizer Bunny Award: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

The player who just keeps going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going, and going...

If Westbrook weren't so emotionally volatile, it wouldn't be too crazy at this point to think he was some sort of secretly-developed cyborg.

Not only is he unbelievably stubborn, as though he were programmed with just one gear, but that gear is one of hyper-aggression; an overdrive that fuels a perpetual rage of insanely athletic energy that never takes a single play off and seems to escape normal human physical implications.

See, Westbrook not only goes all-out every possession, playing as though his life depended on it, but his body shows absolutely no signs of the strain and injury such extreme intensity usually leaves. Not only did he get through this season without missing a single game, but he's done the same each of his five years in the NBA, and apparently ever since high school. Westy's ability to keep himself on the court and involved in every play is truly without equal.

Regards to: Kobe Bryant, Kenneth Faried, LeBron James

Ham of the Year: Andrea Bargnani, Toronto Raptors 

The player who insulted expectations, his paycheck, and the game of basketball the most through continued dubiousness and a general resemblance to a roasted slab of meat.

Quite seldom does a player fall into a serious regression as he's entering the ostensible prime of his career without suffering a debilitating injury, but consider Bargnani the exception. He impeded any progress the Raptors had hoped to make this season by casually drifting through possessions while his albatross contract ate up cap space and potential trades like they were Molly caps at a Young Money release party.

Though Bargs has been dealing with nagging minor ailments, his lack of improvement and constant nonchalant aura since inking his big deal suggest he's more likely getting rich and lazy than the victim of a Greg Oden(/Andrew Bynum?)-style bodily flaw.

A prime amnesty candidate, Bargnani flashed the skill set to be a truly effective stretch 4, and the rare Euro big man to actually pan out, but now being paid like a star, he's fallen flatter than a Shaq free-throw for a team who took him first overall, hired his Italian manager to help acclimate him, gave him $50 million, and is now left shaking their heads.

Regards to: Pau Gasol, Kendrick Perkins, Ben Gordon

JR Rider Award: DeAndre Jordan on Brandon Knight

The season's best dunk.

We've seen it enough times. All you need to do is look at the photo to the right, and you know something devastating just happened.

Hindenburg Award: LA Lakers

Given to the NBA's biggest disaster.

It seems kind of unfair and redundant, but it can't be understated just how catastrophic this season was for the Lakers. Back in November, they were on the brink of hiring the best coach in the history of the NBA to remedy their maligned cast of Hall-of-Famers, but since courting - then abruptly dumping - him, have seen theatrics, nonchalance, lack of depth and injuries destroy their hopes of contending, punctuated a heinously ironic injury to Kobe Bryant, and mass uncertainty about the team's future. Rest in Peace, Dr Buss. Know how sincerely I say you're in a better place now.

Regards to: Philadelphia 76ers, Toronto Raptors, Sacramento Kings

Christopher Wallace Award: Andrew Bynum, Philadelphia 76ers

The player whose team was most hurt by his absence this season.

In a season where many-a-star seemed to be weathering some kind of injury, none of their franchise's seasons were as heavily weighted upon Bynum's full convalescence and the 76ers'. The perennially injured star center had a team of shooter and athletic swing players built around him, counting on his knee rehab to work their way.

Of course, Bynum seriously aggravated the injury in a much-hyped trip to his local bowling alley, shelving himself for the rest of the season in the process, and leaving Philly's roster up shit's creek, with only Jrue Holiday as a paddle. Without their new franchise player, the 76ers were rudderless and uninspiring, gradually dissolving as the season went along, and driving a steady veteran coach like Doug Collins - one noted for his growth of young talent (including a certain standout swingman during the late 80's) - to melt down and lash out at his team in a post-game presser, and eventually walk out on $4.5 million to lead them again next year.

While the Sixers wait on lottery balls and clean out their lockers earlier than anyone expected when Bynum donned their threads, at least they have the comfort of knowing they didn't give up any quality big men who could've served as insurance if he went down. Oh, wait...

Regards to: The Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Love, Derrick Rose

PED Watch: The Early Most Improved Candidates

Now well into December, we're already rounding the corner of the regular season's first quarter, weird as it seems. "Weird"s also a rather appropriate way to describe the NBA season so far; things are just a bit out of place. I mean sure, the Lakers, Spurs, Magic and Celtics are kicking ass, Greg Oden and Yao Ming are down for the count, the Clippers are underwhelming and every player who isn't a Boston Celtic hates Kevin Garnett, some things never change...

But look at the other side: The almighty Heat, despite having hit their stride since The Return, have kinda sucked so far. The Indiana Pacers, long buried in boredom and awfulness, have been kinda good. A 6'9" white dude who your arthritic grandfather can outjump is owning the rebounding game. Derek Rose can suddenly shoot, Brook Lopez suddenly can't, Darko Milicic suddenly is a legit starting center and the Post-Bosh Raptors (!) actually look like playoff contenders. Hell, the early-season MVP favorite hasn't been the best player on his own team so far, in a race where the names "James" and "Wade" are nowhere to be found for the first time in over a half-decade.

Yep, things are-a-changin' all over the league, as it is with these next few players; the guys who really put in work over the summer and have come out with significantly improved game, the early season favorites for Most Improved Player...


Roy Hibbert - A big part of the Pacers' impressive early start (and subsequent shaking of Least Relevant status) has been Hibbert showing up looking 50 pounds lighter than last spring and displaying a more polished offensive game than ever. His svelte new cut has meant an improved motor without all that weight to carry; he attacks the boards harder, still imposes as a shot blocker, and finishes with greater athleticism. Indiana's resurgence this year has been almost as unlikely as Hibbert's transition from immobile mass to future All-Star.

Eric Gordon -Despite his recent 3-point woes, the all-around maturation of Gordon's game has given the Clippers one of the best young prospects they'll ever eventually lose to free agency. One of the many beneficiaries of the "Team USA" effect(no joke, with the exception of a slightly-injured Kevin Durant, every player from that team has come back much better than last season), Gordon has become a relentless basket-attacker who gets to the line at an alarming rate and defends the wing much better than your typical scoring 2. Unfortuantely for him, the growth he experienced this summer is unlikely to be fostered well while sharing a backcourt with Baron Davis and playing for the f***ing Clippers.

Kevin Love - Nobody's arguing about playing time now. Perhaps sparked by an opening-night benching, Love has been dropping 20/20 more than your local optometrist and pairing with a fellow MIP candidate (see below) to make Minnesota's frontcourt future without Al Jefferson look pretty bright. Another Team USA vet, Love has also displayed an impressive touch from distance, recently icing 43 straight free-throws and tying a franchise mark with 8 consecutive 3's made. His improved scoring, unlikely dominance of the boards, and now unquestioned role in Minny's frountcourt will make him a strong candidate all year.

Michael Beasley -Emerging from his purple haze, Beasley has been re-born in a T-Wolves jersey as a much more potent scorer who plays with more energy on both ends of the floor. His early-season outburst of 25+ games fueled his confidence and earned him the green light as the go-to guy Minnesota thought they'd spend the whole season searching for. While he waits for his defensive attention span and decision-making to catch up with his knack for putting the ball the in the basket, Beasley can operate under the low expectations and long leash of one of the NBA's worst teams, and hopefully not lose his mind again.

Darko Milicic - I mean, the rest of Minnesota's frontcourt's here, why not round out the lineup? Milicic has come out of nowhere this year with several monster offensive performances to complement his league-leading shotblocking. He rebounds with more aggression, is becoming a more confident passer, and scores efficiently when Michael Beasley decides to share the ball. He's still eons away from justifying his immortal draft selection, but after such immense disappointment, its encouraging to see he's finally becoming, well, something.

Russell Westbrook -Team USA stand up! Westbrook has been putting up absolutely gaudy numbers for a Thunder squad that's found itself in an awkward early-season purgatory between last year's 8th seed and this season's immense expectations. While Kevin Durant's been at less than 100%, Westbrook has picked up the slack as a lethal scoring threat, improving his jumper while getting to the hoop against anyone and wetting 90% from the stripe. He's upped his assists, rebounds and steals, while owning the floor in recent overtime Ws at Indiana and New Jersey. Everyone knew Westbrook was good, but if the season ended today he'd likely get more MVP votes than his boy KD.

Dorrell Wright -Wright, foolishly disbanded from the Heat's makeover, landed in Oakland where he found a niche in the Warriors' new slightly-more-defensive scheme with his length and athleticism on the perimeter. Along the way, he proved himself to be a lethal 3-point shooter, which never hurts your stock in Golden State. The result has been increased numbers across the board for Wright, including a double-up in scoring. He may be seeing the floor twice as much, but his game has obviously improved if he could only log 20/game with the shallowest team in the League last year.

Raymond Felton - Mike D'Antoni has significantly augmented the career prospects of yet another point guard. After getting two MVP's for Steve Nash and a guaranteed contract for Chris Duhon, Mike plucked Raymond Felton from the obscurity of the Bobcats and made him a star in the Big Apple. Felton's responded by playmaking at a much more efficient rate and becoming the dangerous scorer that the Bobcats' molasses-paced offense never allowed for, and unlike previous D'Antoni quarterbacks, he's a solid defender, hawking almost 2 balls/game. When the Knicks return to the playoffs in April, they should give him a garnished portion of Eddy Curry's salary.

Tyson Chandler - Everyone and their grandma claimed Chandler had gone the way of forever-linked-classmate Edward Curry after the dud he put up last year. A trade to Dallas and a summer with the best young players in the country did wonders for a re-born Chandler who appears to have gone the way of Hedo Turkoglu circa 2008 instead. Anchoring the best defense the Mavs have ever fielded, he's a feared rebounder and shot-blocker who's proving he can finish without Chris Paul setting him up and earning praise from teammates and media alike for his improved basketball IQ and court awareness.

Jrue Holiday -Surprising nobody, the Sixers are pretty bad this year. A mis-matched bunch of youngsters with very little identity or cohesion are bound for another wayward season. In this instance though, the lack of direction should be blamed on the ship and not the captain, for the guy running the point for the Sixers might be the only thing that's right about them right now. Holiday brings a unique mix of scoring and adept playmaking; he's Lou Williams on ritalin. He plays a controlled game, defends well, and would be getting many more assists on a team that wasn't so shitty on offense. The 76ers have been part of rampant trade talk, in which Holidays has been rumored to be their only untouchable, which can't be very good news for him.