HD Awards Show

The end of the regular season doesn't just mean it's playoff time; it means it's awards time.  With one major player award having already been announced, the brilliant minds of the HD Staff give you their opinions on the five major player awards:

(Note:  each staff member ranked their choice for each award from 1st to 3rd.  1st received 5 points, 2nd received 3 points, and 3rd received 1 point).

MVP

LeBron James - 23 (four 1st place votes)
Dwyane Wade - 15 (one 1st place vote)
Chris Paul: - 6
Kobe Bryant: - 1

Aran Smith's Ballot:  LeBron James, Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade

"LeBron stepped his game up into a new stratosphere this year.  Paul was head and shoulders above either of Nash's MVP years, but he was still clearly behind the lead dog.  Even Wade's performance would have been enough to win MVP in recent years."LeBron James

Jon Nichol's Ballot:  LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul

"LeBron is clearly the best player in the League.  Some people may be shocked I don't have Kobe on here, but CP3 has been underrated."

Joshua Motenko's Ballot:  Lebron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant

"I recently watched a Bulls' game from '91, and I thought about just how dominant LeBron is due to his ability to overpower other players.  As good as Jordan was, he never had that ability."

Jon Pastuszek's Ballot:  LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul

"Led his team in everything and catapulted a mediocre supporting cast to 66 wins.  When we look back, 2008-09 will be remembered as the year LeBron made The Leap."

Mike DeStefano's Ballot:  Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Chris Paul

"Jon Barry and I might be the only people on the planet supporting Wade for MVP.  Miami is 27 games better than last year, and Wade has outperformed in almost every major statistic (points, assists, steals, blocks, FG%) while carrying a poor supporting cast and a rookie coach to the playoffs."

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard - 21 (three 1st place votes)
Dwyane Wade - 13 (one 1st place vote)
LeBron James - 9 (one 1st place vote)
Kendrick Perkins - 1
Chris Andersen - 1

Smith's Ballot:  Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard, LeBron James

"Wade has to win something carrying that ragtag team of misfits to the 5th seed in the East.  His shot-blocking from the guard position and overall intensity at all times is truly remarkable."

Nichol's Ballot:  Dwight Howard, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade

"Another easy pick.  Orlando's defense is really good, and it shouldn't be.  It's all about Howard."

Motenko's Ballot:  Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Kendrick Perkins

"Intimidation is a key aspect of being the top defender in this league, and Howard's got that covered."

Pastuszek's Ballot:  LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade

"That breakaway layup you thought was going uncontested?  You forgot about LeBron.  He shuts down the opponent's best player every night, and terrorizes entire teams with his incredible athleticism, anticipation, and intelligence."

DeStefano's Ballot:  Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, Chris Andersen

"Dwight's the man this year, but you've got to respect Wade's unprecedented shot-blocking and the Birdman's resurrection."

Rookie of the Year

Derrick Rose - 25 (unanimous)
Brook Lopez - 8
OJ Mayo - 6
Russell Westbrook - 4
Michael Beasley - 2

Smith's Ballot:  Derrick Rose, Brook Lopez, Russell Westbrook

"One of the deepest and best rookie classes ever!  Rose didn't get many preseason votes, but he proved to be the best rookie, and it wasn't even close.  Lopez is making many regret passing over him, including OKC who got a great young rookie in Westbrook."

Nichol's Ballot:  Derrick Rose, Brook Lopez, Michael Beasley

"This is tough because there are so many good rookies.  Rose has had a great year, so I'll go with him.  Beasley has somehow become underrated despite being the #2 pick."

Motenko's Ballot:  Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Brook Lopez

"Mayo is also deserving of the award, but Rose is the complete package and is a better defensive player right now."

Pastuszek's Ballot:  Derrick Rose, OJ Mayo, Brook Lopez

"Rose has been the best rookie wire-to-wire in what has become a surprisingly great rookie class."

DeStefano's Ballot:  Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook, Michael Beasley

"Rose is a given.  Westbrook has had a great year in OKC, and Beasley has contributed well in limited minutes for a playoff team."Jason Terry

Sixth Man of the Year

Jason Terry - 15 (two 1st place votes)
Lamar Odom - 12 (one 1st place vote)
Manu Ginobili - 11 (two 1st place votes)
Nate Robinson - 3
JR Smith - 3
Travis Outlaw - 1

Smith's Ballot:  Manu Ginobili, Lamar Odom, Jason Terry

"The loss of Ginobili (their heart and soul) gives the Spurs little chance of winning it all this year."

Nichol's Ballot:  Manu Ginobili, Lamar Odom, Jason Terry

"Ginobili's been banged up all year, so he may not qualify.  If he does, he will be my choice for 6th man as long as he's coming off the bench."

Motenko's Ballot:  Lamar Odom, Jason Terry, Manu Ginobili

"Odom took a back seat and has helped give the Lakers consistency and leadership off the bench."

Pastuszek's Ballot:  Jason Terry, JR Smith, Lamar Odom

"He's not in the MVP discussion (he shouldn't be), but I'm just saying:  If Dallas didn't have Terry, we'd all be talking about rebuilding the Mavs, not the Suns."

DeStefano's Ballot:  Jason Terry, Nate Robinson, Travis Outlaw

"He missed some time, but Terry's been the best bench player in the League hands down.  Travis Outlaw has had an underrated season helping the Blazers get the fourth seed in the West."

Most Improved Player

Devin Harris - 17 (three 1st place votes)
Danny Granger - 15 (two 1st place votes)
Rajon Rondo - 4
Nene - 3
Kevin Durant - 3
John Salmons - 3

Smith's Ballot:  Devin Harris, John Salmons, Danny Granger

"Harris was my preseason choice to win this award, and Salmons was actually my 2nd choice.  No really!  Just goes to show that you can get things right if you do this long enough!"

Nichol's Ballot:  Devin Harris, Danny Granger, Rajon Rondo

"Rondo may actually be the best of the three, but he was better last year than people realized.  Harris has just become an offensive force."

Motenko's Ballot:  Danny Granger, Rajon Rondo, Devin Harris

"Granger is now a legit talent in the game today, and he was nowhere near that last year.  He gets the nod over Rondo (much improved assist numbers) and Harris, who is still slightly overrated."

Pastuszek's Ballot:  Devin Harris, Kevin Durant, Danny Granger

"After being locked in offensive purgatory in Dallas, Harris has become a Top-6 point guard with the Nets."

DeStefano's Ballot:  Danny Granger, Nene, Devin Harris

"Granger's PPG rose six points this year despite playing the same minutes.  He's also become one of the game's most clutch players."