Dudes, I worked like three 12-hour days in a row last week, so I jacked it up — plus — I went to Chicago over the weekend and my fingers were shaking too much every morning while there — which meant I couldn’t type.
I missed a couple during that time, the NBA was like fire handing these awards out. If you ask me, they were much faster than usual. I blame the internet and the mass amount of media in this day and age.
So as of now, they’ve beat me to Most Improved, Coach of the Year and also Sixth-Man.
I’m still giving you my take.
So here’s my take, I’m going to flat out say that I shouldn’t have to discuss why Jamal Crawford is the league’s best sixth-man this season. I agree with the pick wholeheartedly. Had Carl Landry not been traded to Sacramento and became a starter, then I think Crawford would definitely have some serious competition for the award.
That said, Crawford averaged 18 points off the bench this year, won the Hawks a couple of games and finished the game in many of the Hawks 53 wins.
As for Most Improved Player, I’m down with the Aaron Brooks pick. Completely cosigned as well, he was my number one choice to take the honor. Last season, Brooks started in 35 of the 80 games he played in, averaging 11 points and three assists. This season, Brooks went all 82 as a starter and took his game to another level. Brooks scored 19.6 points per game and dished out five assists each night. He also had 209 three-pointers, which led the league (23 more than the Knicks’ Danillo Gallinari)
Brooks was a borderline All-Star, and most importantly to me, he led the Rockets to a 42-40 record. Did anyone think that the Rockets would win more than 30 games this year? Without Yao Ming, Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady — they managed. Hell, in the East (I know that I use that example FAR too much) — they make the playoffs. I had the Rockets being one of, if not the worst team in the league prior to the season starting. Brooks deserves this award.
Mad props to Landry (again), Andrew Bogut, Josh Smith, Marc Gasol and Russell Westbrook too, but Brooks has my stamp here.
As for coach of the year, I think Brooks has been great, but in my eyes there was definitely a more deserving candidate. I’ll hit you with that, gotta eat my dinner right now, so grant me a few moments.
