MIDSEASON IN THE LANE AWARDS

If the hornets handed out midseason awards (which they don’t) here’s how i would cast my ballots:
(as of 1/24/08)

MVB (most valuable bee)

Chris Paul – PG – leads the NBA in steals per game (2.6), is third in assists (10.4), sixth in double doubles (25), 8th in ft% (.880), and 19th in scoring (21.0). Most importantly, CP3 leads. At the age of 22 he is the best point guard in the NBA, commands respect from his teammates, plays an exciting, up tempo style and makes his teammates better.

Best coaching decision

Head coach Byron Scott’s choice in early January to openly criticize his under-producing bench; he even told the media that any and all reserves could be traded if their play did not improve. During a season-best 6-game winning streak later in the month the bench increased their per game scoring from 20.8 ppg to 37.2 ppg.

Most important win

December 1, 2007 vs. Dallas. The hornets broke a 21-game losing streak to the Mavericks with a 112-108 overtime victory at the hive. Psychologically, this victory changed the team. No player or coach on the current roster had ever experienced a win over Dallas since Mark Cuban bought the team (2000).

Most talented victim

Phoenix. Nash is a two-time MVP. Marion’s number over the last five seasons match up against the best in the league. Stoudamire is healthy and at times unstoppable. Bell defends well. Barbosa may be the best sixth man in the league. The Hornets beat the Suns twice in the first half…after failing to do so at all last season. Phoenix had the second-best western conference record in the first half.

Biggest surprise

The Hornets perch high atop the western conference as the #1 overall team. Most of us expected to see the best Hornets team in years with improved health, increased experience, added motivation after just missing the playoffs the past two seasons, and the terrific trio of Paul, West, and Chandler. But to see the team streak through the first half with 29 wins exceeded expectations.

Most devastating dunks

Print up the t-shirts and set aside some extra space at the souvenir stands for Tyson Chandler’s full-fledged facials. The way I see it, the 7-1 center now has a P.H.D. In posterizing opponents. He and CP3 have some kind of telekinetic thing going on. The high screen and rolls that result in stupefying dunks inevitably end up on Sportscenter’s top 10 list. Someone needs to print up a new banner in the hive headlined “TC’s daily dunks” and start updating chandler’s dunks as they happen. Hey, maybe we can even hand out rating cards like in the Olympics and have fans rank his dunks on CST!

Best stat line of the first half

Bobby Jackson, 1-11-08, vs. Miami. With no disrespect to Chris Paul and his franchise-record 21 assist night in la back in November, or CP’s career-high 43 points vs. Memphis on Dec. 7th, Jackson’s perfect game against the hapless Heat may never be repeated by a Hornet: 9-9 FG…7-7 3PT…25 PTS…4 REB…4 AST…0 TO.

Least recognized contributor

Ryan Bowen. “Floor Burn Bowen” missed 18-sraight games with a sprained left knee. When he returned in early january the team went 8-1 and the overall play of the entire bench improved markedly. He dives after loose balls, keeps offensive rebounds alive, runs the floor, and simply plays winning basketball. He’s been one of the best additions to this young team. By the way, he can also dunk.

Best first half streak

17-0 record when scoring 100+ points. For the second-best scoring defense in the League it’s interesting that the hornets have hit the century mark 17 times already…and won each game. Their 18 wins by 10 or more points led the west.