http://espn.go.com/nba/notebook/_/pa...a-awards-watch
-Maurice Brooks
Most Valuable Player Watch
1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 32.6 .430 .302 .885 1.0 0.2 6.3 4.8 25.6 24.6
Kobe is playing his fewest minutes since the 1998-99 season. But that's only because the Lakers handle their business so quickly and he spends the end of games icing his knees. (Last week: 3 | Team record: 12-2)
2. Chris Paul, Hornets G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 34.3 .487 .484 .864 2.9 0.1 4.8 10.2 16.6 27.4
CP3 had an average game in a Hornets loss to the Clips, which have the fewest wins in the league. But his shooting, assists and steals numbers are outstanding. (Last week: 1 | Team record: 11-2)
3. Dwight Howard,
Orlando Magic G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 33.5 .595 .000 .539 1.2 2.6 11.6 1.3 21.8 26.8
Is this the season Howard's offensive game finally catches up to his D? Despite shooting a career low from the charity stripe, he is averaging a personal best in points and steals. (Last week: 4 | Team record: 9-4)
4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
12 39.6 .500 .333 .467 2.5 0.3 4.8 14.3 11.2 20.1
A bad hamstring has forced the league's assist leader to miss the past two games (a loss at Toronto and a win vs. the Hawks), but he is still Boston's most important player. (Last week: 2 | Team record: 10-4)
5. Russell Westbrook,
Okla. City Thunder G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 37.2 .436 .235 .900 1.9 0.5 5.1 8.2 23.2 24.7
OKC is Durant's town, but this season Westbrook has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting, including a 31-point, 6-assist gem in a win in Boston without KD or Green. (Last week: NR | Team record: 10-4)
6. Pau Gasol, Lakers G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 38 .564 .000 .823 0.6 1.7 12.1 4.1 22.8 27.6
Can Pau and Kobe be co-MVPs? Gasol made all of his shots and free throws against the Warriors, finishing with 28 points, 9 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 12-2)
7. Derrick Rose,
Chicago Bulls G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
11 37.7 .480 .341 .738 1.1 0.5 3.6 8.5 25.2 22.7
Chicago was just two games above .500 last week, which put Rose at a disadvantage against the other candidates. But there is no denying he has played as well as anyone. (Last week: NR | Team record: 7-4)
8. Deron Williams, Jazz G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
15 38.8 .430 .317 .835 1.0 0.1 4.4 9.7 20.9 20.4
He has been playing through injuries all season, but that hasn't earned Utah's leader in points and assists any extra time on the bench. He leads the league in total minutes. (Last week: 5 | Team record: 10-5)
9. Tony Parker, Spurs G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 34.2 .548 1.000 .786 2.0 0.0 3.5 7.8 19.5 23.8
Parker has the Spurs looking like the biggest challengers to the Lakers out West. He is having his finest shooting season, while establishing a new personal standard in dimes. (Last week: 10 | Team record: 12-1)
10. Carmelo Anthony,
Denver Nuggets G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 37.1 .462 .375 .874 1.5 0.6 9.1 3.3 25.4 23.7
This spot was a tossup between Melo and Dirk, but Melo is in a groove. He grabbed 22 rebounds last week against the Suns and scored 39 in a win over the Warriors Monday. (Last week: NR | Team record: 8-6)
Previous editions: Nov. 16
Most Improved Player Of The Year Watch
Hibbert
1. Roy Hibbert, Pacers: In a league hurting for quality centers in the East, Hibbert is doing his best to help fill the void. (Last week: 1)
2. Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, Timberwolves: Both are playing at All-Star levels, but all of those splendid numbers have only translated into four wins for Minnesota. (Last week: 2 and 3)
3. Luis Scola, Rockets: On a team featuring Yao Ming, Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks, it is the underappreciated Scola who has emerged as the face of the franchise. (Last week: 4)
4. Eric Gordon, Clippers: Blake Griffin isn't the only building block the Clippers possess. Gordon is the team's No. 1 shot-maker and the player the Clippers will rely on in crunch time. (Last week: 5)
5. Shannon Brown, Lakers: San Antonio's Richard Jefferson could go here, but he is not really an MIP candidate, He has simply returned to form. Paul Millsap has been great, but we've seen this from him in the past when Carlos Boozer was out. Brown gets the nod for going from dunker to complete basketball player in one offseason. (Last week: NR)
Defensive Player Of The Year Watch
Howard
1. Dwight Howard, Magic: The reigning DPOY is currently fifth in rebounding and blocked shots. He has his work cut out if he is going to catch Love for the rebounding title. (Last week: 1)
2. Chris Paul, Hornets: The Hornets have used a winning formula of high-pressure defense to force turnovers and get easy scoring opportunities, with Paul serving as the lead blitzer. (Last week: 4)
3. Josh Smith, Hawks: His all-around hustle on the defensive end of the floor is highlighted by his made-for-television blocked shots. (Last week: NR)
4. Kevin Garnett, Celtics: KG's worth on the defensive end has never popped out at people statistically, but when he's dialed in few anchor a squad like he does. (Last week: NR)
5. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bucks: Fantasy hoops players may not appreciate what he does defensively, but anyone who watches Milwaukee play on a regular basis appreciates his effort. (Last week: 2)
Coach Of The Year Watch
Williams
1. Monty Williams, Hornets: Of course, New Orleans wasn't going to go 81-1, but to lose to the one-win Clippers?(Last week: 1)
2. Gregg Popovich, Spurs: The Heat get all of the attention because they are the Heat, and the Lakers get props for being the defending champs, but San Antonio is the squad sporting the league's best record. (Last week: 4)
3. Tom Thibodeau, Bulls: Chicago is winning, and his players enjoy playing for him. (Last week: NR)
4. Jim O'Brien, Pacers: Indiana's record stands at .500 after going into Miami and embarrassing the Heat on Monday night. (Last week: NR)
5. Byron Scott, Cavaliers: His return to New Orleans after being fired by the Hornets last season didn't end up as well as he wanted it to, but Cleveland is still playing better than expected. (Last week: 3)
Soooo.....Hibbert's to be expected but look who's already being talked about in the COY talk. We keep him if he wins?
-Maurice Brooks
Most Valuable Player Watch
1. Kobe Bryant, Lakers G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 32.6 .430 .302 .885 1.0 0.2 6.3 4.8 25.6 24.6
Kobe is playing his fewest minutes since the 1998-99 season. But that's only because the Lakers handle their business so quickly and he spends the end of games icing his knees. (Last week: 3 | Team record: 12-2)
2. Chris Paul, Hornets G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 34.3 .487 .484 .864 2.9 0.1 4.8 10.2 16.6 27.4
CP3 had an average game in a Hornets loss to the Clips, which have the fewest wins in the league. But his shooting, assists and steals numbers are outstanding. (Last week: 1 | Team record: 11-2)
3. Dwight Howard,
Orlando Magic G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 33.5 .595 .000 .539 1.2 2.6 11.6 1.3 21.8 26.8
Is this the season Howard's offensive game finally catches up to his D? Despite shooting a career low from the charity stripe, he is averaging a personal best in points and steals. (Last week: 4 | Team record: 9-4)
4. Rajon Rondo, Celtics G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
12 39.6 .500 .333 .467 2.5 0.3 4.8 14.3 11.2 20.1
A bad hamstring has forced the league's assist leader to miss the past two games (a loss at Toronto and a win vs. the Hawks), but he is still Boston's most important player. (Last week: 2 | Team record: 10-4)
5. Russell Westbrook,
Okla. City Thunder G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 37.2 .436 .235 .900 1.9 0.5 5.1 8.2 23.2 24.7
OKC is Durant's town, but this season Westbrook has been doing a lot of the heavy lifting, including a 31-point, 6-assist gem in a win in Boston without KD or Green. (Last week: NR | Team record: 10-4)
6. Pau Gasol, Lakers G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 38 .564 .000 .823 0.6 1.7 12.1 4.1 22.8 27.6
Can Pau and Kobe be co-MVPs? Gasol made all of his shots and free throws against the Warriors, finishing with 28 points, 9 boards, 5 assists and 4 steals. (Last week: 8 | Team record: 12-2)
7. Derrick Rose,
Chicago Bulls G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
11 37.7 .480 .341 .738 1.1 0.5 3.6 8.5 25.2 22.7
Chicago was just two games above .500 last week, which put Rose at a disadvantage against the other candidates. But there is no denying he has played as well as anyone. (Last week: NR | Team record: 7-4)
8. Deron Williams, Jazz G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
15 38.8 .430 .317 .835 1.0 0.1 4.4 9.7 20.9 20.4
He has been playing through injuries all season, but that hasn't earned Utah's leader in points and assists any extra time on the bench. He leads the league in total minutes. (Last week: 5 | Team record: 10-5)
9. Tony Parker, Spurs G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
13 34.2 .548 1.000 .786 2.0 0.0 3.5 7.8 19.5 23.8
Parker has the Spurs looking like the biggest challengers to the Lakers out West. He is having his finest shooting season, while establishing a new personal standard in dimes. (Last week: 10 | Team record: 12-1)
10. Carmelo Anthony,
Denver Nuggets G MIN FG% 3P% FT% STL BLK RPG AST PTS PER
14 37.1 .462 .375 .874 1.5 0.6 9.1 3.3 25.4 23.7
This spot was a tossup between Melo and Dirk, but Melo is in a groove. He grabbed 22 rebounds last week against the Suns and scored 39 in a win over the Warriors Monday. (Last week: NR | Team record: 8-6)
Previous editions: Nov. 16
Most Improved Player Of The Year Watch
Hibbert
1. Roy Hibbert, Pacers: In a league hurting for quality centers in the East, Hibbert is doing his best to help fill the void. (Last week: 1)
2. Kevin Love and Michael Beasley, Timberwolves: Both are playing at All-Star levels, but all of those splendid numbers have only translated into four wins for Minnesota. (Last week: 2 and 3)
3. Luis Scola, Rockets: On a team featuring Yao Ming, Kevin Martin and Aaron Brooks, it is the underappreciated Scola who has emerged as the face of the franchise. (Last week: 4)
4. Eric Gordon, Clippers: Blake Griffin isn't the only building block the Clippers possess. Gordon is the team's No. 1 shot-maker and the player the Clippers will rely on in crunch time. (Last week: 5)
5. Shannon Brown, Lakers: San Antonio's Richard Jefferson could go here, but he is not really an MIP candidate, He has simply returned to form. Paul Millsap has been great, but we've seen this from him in the past when Carlos Boozer was out. Brown gets the nod for going from dunker to complete basketball player in one offseason. (Last week: NR)
Defensive Player Of The Year Watch
Howard
1. Dwight Howard, Magic: The reigning DPOY is currently fifth in rebounding and blocked shots. He has his work cut out if he is going to catch Love for the rebounding title. (Last week: 1)
2. Chris Paul, Hornets: The Hornets have used a winning formula of high-pressure defense to force turnovers and get easy scoring opportunities, with Paul serving as the lead blitzer. (Last week: 4)
3. Josh Smith, Hawks: His all-around hustle on the defensive end of the floor is highlighted by his made-for-television blocked shots. (Last week: NR)
4. Kevin Garnett, Celtics: KG's worth on the defensive end has never popped out at people statistically, but when he's dialed in few anchor a squad like he does. (Last week: NR)
5. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Bucks: Fantasy hoops players may not appreciate what he does defensively, but anyone who watches Milwaukee play on a regular basis appreciates his effort. (Last week: 2)
Coach Of The Year Watch
Williams
1. Monty Williams, Hornets: Of course, New Orleans wasn't going to go 81-1, but to lose to the one-win Clippers?(Last week: 1)
2. Gregg Popovich, Spurs: The Heat get all of the attention because they are the Heat, and the Lakers get props for being the defending champs, but San Antonio is the squad sporting the league's best record. (Last week: 4)
3. Tom Thibodeau, Bulls: Chicago is winning, and his players enjoy playing for him. (Last week: NR)
4. Jim O'Brien, Pacers: Indiana's record stands at .500 after going into Miami and embarrassing the Heat on Monday night. (Last week: NR)
5. Byron Scott, Cavaliers: His return to New Orleans after being fired by the Hornets last season didn't end up as well as he wanted it to, but Cleveland is still playing better than expected. (Last week: 3)
Soooo.....Hibbert's to be expected but look who's already being talked about in the COY talk. We keep him if he wins?
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