2008-09 Basketball Banter Awards

...So now that we've got the standard season-ending awards out of the way, it's time to turn our attention to those that fell short of the NBA's top honors; those whose achievements didn't fall into the narrow focus of six categories but still accomplished something special in 2008-09. What follows are a variety of honors exclusive to Basketball Banter; some glorious, some dubious, all deserved of some recognition.

Here it goes...

The Canibus Award - Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers
Given to the player who was supposed to blow up do something huge this year, but never really accomplished much.

I know it seems unfair giving this to a 21 year-old rookie, but this disappointment of Oden's NBA debut is too profound. Here was a guy who was so highly touted coming out of college, a player whose undeniable future as the league's dominant big man made him the top draw ahead of scoring machine Kevin Durant. Expectations were high, but even after a year of rehabbing his injury-prone leg, Oden fell shorter than his own vertical. He was regularly sidelined with minor injuries that spoke to how poorly his body was holding up to the NBA; when he did play, the 9/7 he put up were underwhelming. He spent more than his share of time on bench in foul trouble and clearly hasn't grasped many basic fundamentals like passing out of double-teams and jumping for rebounds. Oden's offensive game is uglier than Tori Spelling and he just seems lost out there most of the time, botching plays and running the floor with the grace of a stoned hippopotamus. He showed some progress as the season went on, but it's going to take a lot of work for GO to justify the hype.
Regards to: Luol Deng, Bulls; Yi Jianlian, Nets; Richard Jefferson, Bucks

The Shawn Kemp Memorial Award - Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Given to the player who through demoralizing swats and/or vicious facials has emasculated the most grown men this season.

You saw it far too many times this season. It was horrifying. A small, defenseless guard would be fast-breaking to the hoop, nothing standing between his stride and an open layup. He'd see it coming over his shoulder, knowing what lurked behind, closing in ever faster, but also knowing he could not outrun his predator. He'd go strong to the hole, at least as strong as he could, only to have his feeble attempt sent off the backboard into the mid-court 5th row. Or a big man lumbering through the post, distracted by a baseline cutter or post screen, unaware of the imminent attack by flying terror. They'd always see it coming a second too late, arrive a step too slow and have their clumsy attempts at defending the basket re-played on SportsCenter enough for us to never forget. We were subjected to suh brutal assaults every time LeBron James played this year. What's even more disturbing is that there's no end in sight to this madness...
Regards to: Dwyane Wade, Heat; Dwight Howard, Magic; Nene, Nuggets

Ham of the Year- Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
Given to the player who through on and off-court incompetence failed to meet any/all expectations.

Quite rarely does a bonafide superstar suffer a season-ending injury and have his team respond with an unquestionable improvement. Such was the case of McGrady this season, whose Rockets contended for home-court in the West only after his dysfunctional jumpers and general indifference were removed from the equation. Selfish, inconsistent play and clashes with teammates highlighted a season that ended even more prematurely than T-Mac's gotten used to. Ironic because this was the the year McGrady was finally supposed to pull it together and get out of the first round; he had the squad to do it. Now the Rockets will be paying him $21 million to hang courtside and watch an over-achieving team potentially break the first-round curse that's plagued him his entire career.
Regards to: Eddy Curry, Knicks; Greg Oden, Blazers; Elton Brand, Sixers

The Flavor Flav Award - Nene, Denver Nuggets

Goes to the player who, against all odds, had the most significant comeback in the league.

I was trying to give this award to Shaq; what he did this season impressed me a lot; after a few years of (as I see it) coasting, he committed himself to getting in shape and became a legitimate All-Star again. The Phoenix training staff seemed to think O'Neal could still play at this level when they acquired him and, and if their best player didn't go down, he'd be a huge part of a team that could've made some noise this year...But as nice as Diesel's comeback was, Nene was facing a far greater obstacle than slight nonchalance and some extra pounds. Testicular cancer; a crippling and humbling ordeal that sidelined him all last year. He came back nastier than ever; 14/8 on 60%, dunking on everyone in sight with over a steal & block every game. Denver has to still be kicking themselves for dumping Marcus Camby last summer, but Nene's resurgence has lessened the blow.

Regards to: Shaquille O'Neal, Suns; Dwyane Wade, Heat; Chris Andersen, Nuggets

The Kevin Willis Memorial Award - Dikembe Mutombo, Houston Rockets

Given to the player who shows outstanding commitment to the game through a complete unwillingness to retire.

One of the disadvantages of coming from a technologically-challenged tribal settling in Zaire; you don't really know how old you are. Deke's listed at 40, but it's painfully apparent that he's no younger than 65 and should long ago have been honored as the league's oldest player. And retired. It's a miracle that the Elmer's holding his knees together can support his 7'2" frame anymore, but before Mutombo completely fossilizes mid-shot-block, he should just hang them up and let everyone salute one of the dominant defenders the league's ever seen.

Regards to: Donyell Marshall, Sixers; Theo Ratliff, Sixers; Grant Hill, Suns

The King Leonidas Award - Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Goes to the player who valiantly led his squad against unbeatable foes, putting up heroic performances on a horribly overmatched team.

I was overly critical of Durant last year; in my mind Al Horford had a more significant rookie campaign after Durant shot the ball poorly (albeit to the tune of 20/game) with the green light on the league's sorest team. The progress that Durant showed this season is making me wonder what my herb was laced with back then; how I didn't give a guy this nice the ROY. Durant's game showed much more maturity this season; apart from showing signs of beginning to acknowledge defense, he improved his shot selection and diversified his offensive set; showing the kind of improvement that should truly horrify every other GM. He'll continue to get stronger, to get smarter, to improve upon a raw talent that's already among the League's top 5 scorers. If his team can show the same growth, it'll be time to crown a new champion next season.

Regards to: Al Jefferson, T-Wolves; Danny Granger, Pacers; Devin Harris, Nets

The Bobby Boucher Trophy - Chauncey Billups, Denver Nuggets
Awarded to the player whose addition to a team created the greatest positive impact.

While the Nuggets may have only won five more games than they did last year, they enter the Playoffs as the West's second seed with a far more composed approach to basketball, largely thanks to Billups' early-season arrival. Chauncey initiated a far less erratic attack o n offense and instilled some defensive discipline in the league's most blatantly one-way team; restoring order to a team that had all the talent but was lacking that intangible glue to hold it all together. Billups proved a strong adhesive; not only mentoring Denver's immature roster but putting up All-Star numbers. Consequently, the Nuggets are looking like the favorites to be humbled by the Lakeshow in the West Finals, which given their pre-season outlook is nothing short of astonishing.
Regards to: Mo Williams, Cavs; Ron Artest, Rockets; Shawn Marion, Raptors

The Biggie Smalls Award - Amar'e Stoudemire
Given to the player whose loss hurt his squad the most.

It was a tough year in Phoenix; the Suns were forced to play a suffocated form of basketball under an uninspiring coach for the first half of the season. They were losing games, losing patience, losing hope. Something had to give, and after management openly shopped Stoudemire, they shrewdly canned Terry Porter and let the team continue doing what it was built to do: score. Lots. Things appeared to be returning to normal; Phoenix was winning, dropping 120+ nightly, looking dangerous again; it was too good to be true. A week after Alvin Gentry rejuvenated a morbid roster, Stoudemire's freak eye injury sidelined him for the year and essentially sent Phoenix's season into the tank. With him, they'd be a team nobody wanted to face in the playoffs; but the reality of his absence leaves the Suns with a few extra weeks of vacation time and Stoudemire as this award's clear-cut winner.
Regards to: Michael Redd, Bucks; Al Jefferson, T-Wolves; Carlos Boozer, Jazz

The Titanic Trophy - Toronto Raptors

Given to the league's biggest disaster this season.

It's really a toss-up between these guys and the Clips, both of whom made big off-season acquisitions that had them thinking playoffs, both of whom bottomed-out in their respective conferences and generally just shat the bed all year. I gave it to the Raptors because LA plays a much tougher schedule and, really, it's the Clippers here; something always goes wrong with them so my expectations are never really that high. Unfortunately, I'm starting to feel the same way about Canada's last link to (real) professional basketball. Toronto spent this year playing uninspired, confused basketball against weak opposition, only to finally pull it together over the season's final month and play to the level everyone considered them on. The requisite "...we're building towards next season" that Raps GMs have been spitting out for the last decade or so seemed especially tired given the pre-season hype. Instead, the Raps are stuck leaving their fate to a bunch of bouncing balls, hoping something can go their way this year.

Regards to: Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Detroit Pistons

Congrats to all the winners. The Playoffs kick off this weekend (and either San Antonio or Dallas is going home in the first round!!), so stay tuned for previews and game notes this weekend.

It's Halftime

We're roughly halfway through the Association's 82-game schedule; as the All-Star break nears, it's a great time to look back over what we've seen so far and give some respect where it's due: it's time for the Haltime Awards.

Rookie of the Half
Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
There's been a heavy load on Rose's shoulders this year; Duhon's gone, Hinrich's been hobbled. He's been looked upon to not only lead an offense that's politely called disorganized (remember he shares a backcourt with Larry Hughes) and features no low post scorers, but do it pretty much on his own. His outside touch needs work, but his ability to get into the lane makes him an extremely dangerous scorer and few point guards are strong and quick enough to stop him. 17 with over 3 and 6 each game; it's hard to say Chicago made the wrong pick.
Regards to: OJ Mayo, Russell Westbrook, Michael Beasley

Sixth Man of the Half
Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks
Giving this award to a Mav pains me, especially since they're a serious question mark for the postseason now for a second straight year. Still, Terry's responded to his recent bench demotion by averaging a career-high 20/game, hitting .466 from the field. He's provided a push to Dallas' second unit on both ends of the floor with his speedy playmaking and pesky defending; one of Mavs' few bright spots over what's been a consistently inconsistent first half of the season.
Regards to: Manu Ginobili

Defensive Player of the Half
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Superman's having another monster year, leading the league in rebounds and blocks and making a strong push for an award he could very well own for most of the next decade. His presence in the post probably deters more would-be penetration than anyone else in the league, and those who do test him are more likely to be swatted than fouled. No player his size can cover ground so quickly; his patrol of the paint looms large enough for him to challenge shots and wax glass like The Admiral used to. His squad's unexpected ascent to the top of their conference can only help his cause.
Regards to: Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett, Marcus Camby

Coach of the Half
Stan Van Gundy, Orlando Magic
Proving why Pat Riley was right to trust him with the reigns to his franchise, and why he was wrong to show him the door after his coaching hiatus, Van Gundy's quietly steered the Magic to the league's upper echelon. While he leads a talented roster that's managed to remain healthy and, in the eyes of many, overachieve this season, the Magic's perennial early success has never sen them hold the league's best record after 41 games. They're the league's best road team and recently knocked off three division leaders on a tough Western road trip. No wonder Jeff's reluctant to head back to the bench.
Regards to: Mike Brown, Eric Spoelstra, George Karl

Most Improved Player
Chris Duhon, New York Knicks
After years of oppression under the cold rule of Scott Skiles, Duhon booked it to the bright lights of the Big Apple to play for the stat steroid master, Mike D'Antoni. As a result, his scoring, rebound and assist numbers have all doubled (along with his minutes) and he's posted improvements in every major statistical category (including turnovers, which is to be expected playing 40 minutes as the main ballhandler on a team that leads the league in possessions per game). When the rest of the Knicks start playing with his poise and consistency, they might become a team to respect again.
Regards to: Devin Harris, Jameer Nelson, Danny Granger

MVP
Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Finally surrounded by a team that can win enough games to solidify his MVP credentials, Lebron's having another unreal season. With Cleveland on pace for 60-something wins and part of every title conversation, his ridiculous numbers are somehow viewed in a more elite context, even though he's averaging fewer points, assists, rebounds and minutes than last year. Adding a second scorer/ballhandler has helped ease his burden on offense, evidenced by a much more energetic commitment on D. As a result, the Cavs are cruising and the dudes nipping at 'Bron's heels in the MVP race will need to do something legendary to catch him.
Regards to: Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard

...and now for a few awards the league doesn't dish out, but are still well deserved:

Disappointment of the Half
Toronto Raptors
After acquiring Jermaine O'Neal and locking up Jose Calderon, there was big talk north of the border prior to this season, but the Raps came out flatter than month-old soda and have played disorganized, brutally soft and defensively challenged ball all season. Injuries aside, their lack of cohesion's led to a 16-28 mark, good for 13th in the East and far from what Chris Bosh is willing to stick around for next summer.

Surprise of the Half
Denver Nuggets
Steadied by the presence of Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets are holding court among the West's top teams, even through the prolonged absence of their most talented player. No longer a one-way, free-wheeling bunch of self-serving scorers, The Nugs have buckled down on defense thanks to the addition of lynchpins Renaldo Balkman and Chris Andersen (bbbbroooooo!) and the newfound health of K-Mart and Nene. The absence of AI (his talents just weren't a good fit for their roster) has no doubt helped them climb into the conference's upper reaches and maybe even finally escape the first round.

Best Acquisition
Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers
While Elton Brand's stuggled to find his spot in Philly, the other big addition out East has git in quite nicely alongside Lebron. Williams filled two voids for Cleveland, giving them another steady ballhandler/distributor and a second player who could create his own shot on the perimeter. As mentioned earlier, he's allowed Lebron to exert himself less on offense which allows him to save energy for D, and barring a serious meltdown, a deep playoff run. As a result the Cavs are on pace to eclipse last year's win total and are winning games more comfortably than any other team in the league. Hard to argue with those results.

Comeback of the Half
Nene, Denver Nuggets
Last season was one Nene would like to forget. He played all of 16 games, sidelined by a bout with cancer that was no doubt indescribably painful and cost him one of his nuts. The way he's played so far this year should help him put his past to rest, dropping carrer-highs of 15/8 while shooting 60% from the field to lead the league. His convalesence couldn't have come at a better time for a team that dumped its starting center for a bucket of Big League Chew over the offseason, and is a big reason why Denver's turning heads around the league with their recent success.

Ham Sandwich of the Half
Eddy Curry, New York Knicks
Curry wins this award not only because, much like a side of ham he's a large, immobile slab of meat, but because he's played an outstanding two minutes all season. Needless to say that for whatever reason (most likely his rubenesque physique and inability to bend at the waist or casually jog), he hasn't commanded a huge role in an offense that thrives on the run, but for a player who dropped 19/7 just two seasons ago, his disappearing act is too disturbing. More disturbing is that with the $10 million he's paying Curry this year, James Dolan could buy a fleet of 40 Bentleys that would provide similar levels of on-court productivity.