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Jan 27 2009 11:29AM
The midpoint of the NBA season has come and gone, making this the ideal time to reflect on what's gone down and to crown our award favorites. Though not much has been settled in either conference, 40-plus games is more than enough to flesh out the league's major trends.
Some may seem obvious. The two teams in last season's NBA Finals, for example, find themselves in lofty positions once again. But the first-half storylines go beyond the Lakers and Celtics.
The Cavaliers and Magic were projected to be good, but this good? LeBron James and Dwight Howard are not only headlining the MVP race, but each could pilot the Eastern Conference's No. 1 seed going into the playoffs. (More on pilots later... )
The eight-team pack chasing the Lakers out West couldn't be any tighter. San Antonio has rebounded from an injury-plagued slow start to move into second place. Inconsistency abounds throughout the conference, so one three-game streak in either direction is enough to move a team four or five spots in either direction.
So other than making Capt. Chesley Sullenberger our MVP -- can you think of a bigger assist? --- on to the awards:
MVP
LeBron James, Cavaliers How this for a sign of true greatness? King James is more dominant this season while producing less (27.8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 6.8 apg) than last year. The Central Division leaders are also in the running for the East's best record. Cleveland owns only one division title in its history and has never claimed the conference's top seed.
Honorable mention: Kobe Bryant (Lakers), Dwight Howard (Magic), Chris Paul (Hornets), Tim Duncan (Spurs).
Defensive Player
Dwight Howard, Magic Superman leads the league in rebounding (13.9) and blocked shots (3.2). That's an intimidating presence in the middle. The Magic, not surprisingly, are in the Top 10 in points allowed, field-goal percentage defense, rebounding and blocked shots. Howard erases mistakes.
Honorable mention: Paul (Hornets), James (Cavaliers), Dwyane Wade (Heat), Kevin Garnett (Celtics).
Rookie
Derrick Rose, Bulls Rose [pictured above] justified his selection as the No. 1 pick by assuming the reins of Chicago's offense without hesitation. Leads all rookies in assists at 6.3 (16th overall) and is second in scoring at 16.7.
Honorable mention: O.J. Mayo (Grizzlies), Russell Westbrook (Thunder), Brook Lopez (Nets), Marc Gasol (Grizzlies).
Sixth Man
Jason Terry, Mavericks After years of shuffling between starter and reserve, and point or shooting guard, Jet (20.2 ppg) has found his comfort zone. Don't worry about the rest, just let him shoot and shoot and shoot.
Honorable mention: Ben Gordon (Bulls), Andrei Kirilenko (Jazz), James Posey (Hornets), Manu Ginobili (Spurs).
Most Improved
Devin Harris, Nets Mavs general manager Donnie Nelson said they were losing a future All-Star in exchange for Jason Kidd. He's probably right. With an offense built around his blazing speed, Harris (21.8 ppg) makes the Nets go.
Honorable mention: Kevin Durant (Thunder), Andris Biedrins (Warriors), Paul Millsap (Jazz), Danny Granger (Pacers).
Coach
Stan Van Gundy, Magic Sporting a cast that plays to its strengths, Orlando is in the running for the best record in the East. Van Gundy flawlessly blended 3-point shooters (Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Jameer Nelson) around Dwight Howard's devastating inside game.
Honorable mention: Mike Brown (Cavaliers), Gregg Popovich (Spurs), Nate McMillan (Blazers), Eric Spoelstra (Heat).
Biggest Surprise
Not only are the Hawks soaring toward the playoffs, they could own homecourt in the first round. Joe Johnson leads an athletic and maturing group that's currently fourth in the East.
Honorable mention: Even with Carlos Boozer missing most of the season and Deron Williams a good chunk, the Jazz are still in the West playoff hunt ... And seven coaches -- six before the end of December -- already have been canned.
Biggest Disappointment
The Raptors expected to contend in the East with the addition of Jermaine O'Neal. They've since fired coach Sam Mitchell, could be trading O'Neal and are likely headed to the lottery.
Honorable mention: Houston's Big Three can't get on track ... Elton Brand hasn't fit in with the Sixers ... Baron Davis has been irrelevant in his return home to the Clippers.
Best Move
By landing a true point guard and consummate leader in Denver native Chauncey Billups, the Nuggets have climbed to the top of the Northwest Division. Kudos for also knowing when to pull the plug on the Allen Iverson experiment.
Honorable mention: Jason Richardson hasn't meant an immediate boost in the standings, but the Suns look more like the Suns of old.
Worst Move
Could the Stephon Marbury situation be any worse for the Knicks? Despite being paid $20 million to stay away from the team, Fallen Star-bury is hardly willing to budge on a buyout.
Honorable mention: The Sonics' relocation to Oklahoma City. The move wasn't fair to the people of Seattle, though the fans of OKC have embraced their Thunder.
All-NBA
First team
F LeBron James, Cavaliers
F Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks
C Dwight Howard, Magic
G Kobe Bryant, Lakers
G Chris Paul, Hornets
Second team
F Tim Duncan, Spurs
F Al Jefferson, Timberwolves
C Yao Ming, Rockets
G Dwyane Wade, Heat
G Brandon Roy, Blazers
