NBA Awards Watch

NBA BASKETBALL

By InsideHoops.com

NBA awards watch compiled by several sportswriters. The top source for season award candidates. Check out the contenders.

InsideHoops.com NBA MVP Award Candidates

Updated March 11, 2003

NBA MVP Watch, by InsideHoops.com:

1) Kevin Garnett - Minnesota Timberwolves. Does everything for this team on both ends of the floor. But it's not clear-cut that KG is the league MVP. Don't be surprised if Duncan or McGrady steal this spot soon. Kobe's a long-shot to steal it, only because of the center he gets to play with.

2) Tim Duncan - San Antonio Spurs. While it's true that Tony Parker has improved, and other key Spurs have raised their games up about a quarter of a notch, Tim Duncan is the heart and soul of every aspect of this team's offense and defense.

3) Tracy McGrady - does everything imaginable for the Magic. Drew Gooden has been a terrific addition, and now that he's helping the Magic win a bit more, and the team moves up in the standings, it helps validate calling McGrady an MVP candidate.

4) Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers. Yeah, the Lakers started very slowly early on when it was just Kobe Bryant with no Shaq. And while Shaq has come along and resumed being impossible to guard and box out, the fact is, Kobe Bryant has raised his game to an unbelievable level.

That's the short-list for MVP. Others:

5) Jason Kidd - New Jersey Nets. Makes the team a team. The team has fallen on hard times recently, so we had to drop Kidd down here.

6) Allen Iverson - Philadelphia 76ers. Ignore the shooting percentage. We'd never say that, normally, but in this case, you have to. Because, this team is built around him getting shots off. If you remove the havok Iverson causes, the team drops fast.

7) Jamal Mashburn - New Orleans Hornets. Monster Mash carried this team while Baron Davis healed. And he's been a star all season.

8) Dirk Nowitzki - Dallas Mavericks. Dirk is unbelievable, but Steve Nash is almost as important, and then there's that Michael Finley guy.

InsideHoops.com NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award Candidates

Updated March 11, 2003

1) Ben Wallace - Detroit Pistons. Big Ben has this award all locked up.

2) Ben Wallace's Afro - Detroit Pistons. Runner up to Wallace is his afro.

Others: Ron Artest, Tim Duncan, Kenyon Martin, Doug Christie. Wallace has this locked up.

InsideHoops.com NBA Most Improved Player Award Candidates

Updated February 27, 2003

1) Matt Harpring - Utah Jazz. Have you seen what he's doing this year? It seemed like a fluke, but week after week went by and Harpring kept doing it, and getting even better. Fine, we believe you, you're a legit all-around talent.

Other Contenders: Ricky Davis, Ron Artest, Gilbert Arenas.

InsideHoops.com NBA Coach of the Year Award Candidates

Updated March 3, 2003

1) Rick Carlisle - Detroit Pistons. With Ben Wallace's defense, Richard Hamilton's scoring, and various contributions from guys who aren't even close to being superstars, the team iw winning like crazy. Many thought that trading Jerry Stackhouse away would sink this team. It didn't happen. Credit the coach. He's our definite pick for coach of the year right now.

Other Contenders: We'll update this in mid March.

NBA Rookie of the Year Award Candidates

Updated March 9, 2003

NBA Rookie of the Year Watch, by InsideHoops.com:

1) Yao Ming - Houston Rockets. Steady contributions. Hit the rookie wall, then busted through it. In the last two weeks, averaging 18 points, 9 rebounds and 1.7 assists, with 49% shooting.

2) Drew Gooden - Orlando Magic. Steady all season, rising high on Orlando. In the last two weeks Gooden is averaging 17 points, 12 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game, while shooting 48% from the field. Could take the number one spot back if he keeps this up.

3) Amare Stoudemire - Phoenix Suns. The sky is the limit. Cooled off a lot in the last month and a half. In the last two weeks, averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds per game.

4) Caron Butler - Miami Heat. Plenty of minutes to put up stats.

Other Notables: Gordan Giricek, Nene Hilario, Carlos Boozer, Dajuan Wagner, Jay Williams.

Sixth Man of the Year Candidates

Updated February 21, 2003

Top Contenders: Andrei Kirilenko (Utah), Michael Redd (Milwaukee), Corliss Williamson (Detroit).

Exact rankings in the near future.