Links: Decision 2008
Lang’s votes are in…and here’s how he voted…
Late yesterday afternoon, after a week of more or less constant thought about it, I filed my ballot for the NBA’s postseason awards. I was asked to vote in a number of categories, and I spent way too much time chewing on it, to make sure I didn’t forget anyone or cast a vote I’d later regret.
And I feel good about the way it shook out. Here’s how I voted in the various categories (and quick explanations as to why I voted the way I did)…
NBA MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
1. Hedo Turkoglu — Magic
2. Rudy Gay — Grizzlies
3. Al Jefferson — T-Wolves
A gimme.
NBA COACH OF THE YEAR
1. Byron Scott — Hornets
2. Phil Jackson — Lakers
3. Eddie Jordan — Washington
That’s right, for assistant coach of the year, I chose Byron Scott. Kidding! Hey, Coach Scott and I have had our differences in the past (when he was coaching in Jersey, more specifically), but I thought he did a terrific job all season. He had the Hornets in first place at the All-Star break, and he kept them near the top of the charts until the final week. Consistency is so hard to achieve in the NBA, and Lord Byron did it. I went with him over Phil because I thought Phil had a little more to work with, both with personnel and organizationally. I also thought Eddie Jordan deserved some recognition for what he did this season in Washington. I also considered Rick Adelman, Nate MacMillan, Doc Rivers and Flip Saunders. As good as Portland was in November, they were nearly as bad in February (including a 2-9 skid). Houston and Adelman had that incredible run as well, but I thought the three coaches I picked each were a little more consistent over the long haul.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
1. Kevin Garnett — Celtics
2. Shane Battier — Rockets
3. Josh Smith — Hawks
This was a tough category to figure. The usual suspects (Bowen, Artest, Raja Bell) all did their things this season, but I thought Garnett, Battier and Smith each made huge differences for their teams all season long. I did not give Marcus Camby, last year’s defensive player of the year, a vote here because even though he improved his averages on rebound and blocks per game, I just morally felt strange recognizing just his defense for a team that was second-worst in the NBA on defense.
ALL-NBA TEAMS
First Team
F — LeBron James
F — Kevin Garnett
C — Dwight Howard
G — Kobe Bryant
G — Chris Paul
Second Team
F — Tim Duncan
F — Paul Pierce
C — Amare Stoudemire
G — Baron Davis
G — Deron Williams
Third Team
F — Dirk Nowitzki
F — Carlos Boozer
C — Marcus Camby
G — Allen Iverson
G — Chauncey Billups
I thought this was by far the toughest category to pick, because there’s a mandate to only use guys in their correct positions. So for Amare, for instance, is he a center or a forward? I listed him as a center, even though he plays alongside Shaq, because that’s the position he played for the majority of the season. It’s tough to find three worthy centers for this list. Kaman had great stats, but he only played in 50-something games. I thought about Tyson Chandler, but I felt Camby was a better all-around player. Sure, Camby only averaged 9 points per game, but he played in 79 games and averaged 13 boards and 3.6 blocks per game. One other guy who I narrowly missed getting in there was T-Mac, who played a key role on a good team, but he missed 20 percent of his team’s games and averaged his lower ppg, rpg and apg than last season.
SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR
1. Manu Ginobili — Spurs
2. Leandro Barbosa — Suns
3. Josh Childress — Hawks
Don’t get mad at me, Raptors fans. I actually submitted my ballot with Ginobili first, Barbosa third and with Jose Calderon in second, but I was told Calderon did not qualify for this award. (Not sure what the qualifications are, because it was never fully spelled out to me.) So I re-submitted with the guys you see above.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
1. Al Horford — Hawks
2. Kevin Durant — Sonics
3. Al Thornton — Clippers
I went back and forth on this one about a dozen times in the last week. I obviously saw Horford play more than I did Durant, but I did watch a lot of Durant’s 42 point game last night, and it didn’t change my mind. The argument I kept hearing for Durant was that he was asked to carry a terrible team and that somehow should be factored in. And I understand that line of thought, but at the same time, they won 20 games, so it’s not like Durant’s absence would’ve hurt them all that much. Durant scored a lot of points, but I just thought Horford was more complete and his accomplishments (playing out of position all season and still finishing with 27 double-doubles for a team that qualified for the Playoffs) were more impressive to me. I think that long-term, Durant will turn out to be the better NBA player. But as far as their rookie years, Horford was better.
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
5. Tim Duncan — Spurs
Respect.
4. Kevin Garnett — Celtics
I know KG had a lot of supporters out there for the MVP, and as important as he was to the Celtics turning things all the way around, I still think that without Pierce and Allen, Boston wouldn’t have been nearly as good. And I think a Boston team without KG wouldn’t be nearly as bad as they were last season. I don’t want to discount KG’s impact on the culture of the Celtics, but if you’re looking for an MVP from Boston, maybe look to Danny Ainge. (I can’t believe I just typed that sentence.)
3. LeBron James — Cavs
He might be the best all-around offensive player in the NBA, but even King James couldn’t get the Cavs to win consistently.
2. Chris Paul — Hornets
1. Kobe Bryant — Lakers
This was the other race that was clogging my brain all week. I think Chris Paul is unbelievably good, as valuable to his team as any player in the League. I also love the spirit he plays with and his creativity on the court. But at the end of the season, Kobe Bryant is a better basketball player than anyone else in the NBA. As surprising as the Hornets’ success has been, did anyone see this coming from the Lakers? I didn’t, and I went to training camp in Hawaii with them. I wrote last week about how the Rookie of the Year race was really about style versus substance, and in a strange way, the MVP vote was also. As fun and entertaining and awesome as Chris Paul is, and as impressive as CP3 has been statistically, I just couldn’t see any reason that he was more important to his team than Kobe was to Los Angeles. And I love Chris and his entire family, who are some of the nicest people in the world.
But at the end of the day, to me, Chris Paul wasn’t the best all-around player in the NBA this season. Kobe Bryant was.
So I voted for Kobe.
Questions? Comments? Leave them below and I’ll holler back…
148 Responses to “Links: Decision 2008”
Apr.17 at 2:49 pm
Adrian Zapata says:
nice.. should be fun
Apr.17 at 2:49 pm
Adrian Zapata says:
oh wow, and im first
Apr.17 at 2:51 pm
Adrian Zapata says:
Anyways, i like all your picks Lang. Although my only disagreement is with Durant not getting ROY
Apr.17 at 2:51 pm
H to the izzo says:
I’m not mad at the Kobe pick,it’s a good pick.I am shocked at seeing “Kevin Garnett” and “4″ next to each other.
Apr.17 at 2:58 pm
hen_ti says:
how does aldrigde get no love for most improved 9 ppg to 18 ppg come on lang show portland some love
Apr.17 at 3:01 pm
TMT says:
Or Tim Duncan even getting in there… I think Amare played better then he did.
Apr.17 at 3:01 pm
AT says:
Great picks, but I’d choose Durant over Horford. Everything I agree with. On another note, can somebody explain to me the Kobe “bears come up to these windows” comment? And also the Kwame Brown not understanding why they didn’t have french dressing at a french restaurant?
Apr.17 at 3:03 pm
h-wag says:
As for the sixth man award:
If I remember right you have to come off the bench in at least 50 % of the games to qualify.
Apr.17 at 3:03 pm
Hairy Brown Johnsonz says:
Durant and Paul got robbed! wow…….
Apr.17 at 3:04 pm
Dutch Rich says:
WTF, “And I love Chris and his entire family, who are some of the nicest people in the world”.
I’m happy you didn’t factor that in. Overall I think you’re right on the money give or take a Josh Smith. But I honestly I haven’t seen that dude play but once this year.
Apr.17 at 3:07 pm
Ping Ping says:
bang on man
Apr.17 at 3:07 pm
what says:
I would like to mention at this time that Steve Smith has Joe Johnson on his All NBA 2nd team.
Apr.17 at 3:09 pm
Brazalaza says:
I am shocked at seeing “Tim dUNCAN” and “Second Team″ next to each other….but that’s how it is, i agree.
Apr.17 at 3:10 pm
Holly MacKenzie says:
yes, yes, yes, Lang. I scrolled down to see the big news and now I’m going back to read the rest of your choices with a smile!
Apr.17 at 3:10 pm
AP says:
I am little mad that you pick Doc Rivers. He went from last to first with almost a brand new roster. He wasn’t building on last year, he had to come up with everything this year. Of course his asst. coach TThibedoux did a hell of a job.
Last Peja was hurt the whole year and David West was injured for quite some time. One of the main reasons that the Hornets are winning is b/c they have been injury free. Bryon Scott should be commended on the job he did but I would put him in second place not first.
This is also my argument for Chris Paul not being the MVP over Kobe. When you have two of your best players healthy all year it makes things easier. I could see how picking an all nba team could be difficult. Melo, Caron Butler, Joe Johnson, Steve Nash and other such players it could be aruged should be on one of the three teams. But I guess that is why there is the All-Star team. I will be mad if Chris Paul wins MVP. Yesterday on ESPN, Jon Barry and the guy he was with could not stop raving about every thing he did. Got kinda annoying.
Apr.17 at 3:10 pm
skywalker says:
you are such a homer, its unbelievable. I don’t understand why they let people with a vested interest for one team select these awards. I’m no fan of Seattle / Durant, but to say that he’s not ROY just steeps of homerisms. what a joke you’ve become Lang. Just cuz everyone expected Durant to light the NBA fire and instead he turned in one of the best seasons ever for a 19 year old and destroyed the competition doesn’t mean you give the award to a guy who everyone expected nothing out of. No doubt Al was awesome but he pales in comparison to Durant’s body of work. Just reading the entire list, what a joke. Just as lame as your SI columns have got.. Atlanta this, Atlanta that…
Apr.17 at 3:13 pm
Tom says:
Land, did you just apologize for voting for Kobe?…….Wait to do the right thing though. I agree with all your picks, I do hope KG gets more DPOY votes because i feel that he’s head and shoulders above the rest in that category.
Apr.17 at 3:14 pm
peteb80 says:
Duncan wasn’t that good this year (so far…).
Apr.17 at 3:18 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@skywalker: Which award did I give to a guy who everything expected nothing out of? Horford was drafted third overall — people expected plenty out of him. And he helped get his team to the Playoffs.
@Tom: No apologies.
Apr.17 at 3:21 pm
Tariq says:
Great picks Lang. I agree with %99.9 of them. Baron Davis on the 2nd was an especially unexpected treat. The only changes I would have made would be T-Mac (or–if the weird positioning thing is an issue– Nash) instead of Mr. Big Shot. Also, Amare or Dwight would probably have been my 5th choice for MVP.
Apr.17 at 3:21 pm
Kobe24Bryant says:
KOBE
MVP
Apr.17 at 3:22 pm
Allenp says:
BD over Iverson on the second team is unacceptable. But, I am a biased AI fan. However, i think AI had a better overall year. 26, 7, 1.9 and the Nuggets made the playoffs.
Apr.17 at 3:25 pm
Joel O's says:
Calderon started so many games and had a great run as a starter, so I don’t think he can be the 6th man of the year. He should bloody be starting anyway.
Apr.17 at 3:25 pm
Allenp says:
Damn Tariq and his anti-Iverson sentiments.
Apr.17 at 3:25 pm
WhereisBisonDele says:
No Nash on any of the three all-NBA teams? Certainly not 1st team, but Billups? Really? I’m sure he’s got a nice family, but…
Apr.17 at 3:26 pm
Tom says:
also COY was ridiculously hard to pick this year, there were about 5 candidates that no one could really argue with, and then guys like Jerry Sloan and Pop who are no doubt two of the best in the league but always seem to get overlooked
Apr.17 at 3:26 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Lang, rating defenses as “second-worst” is a bit subjective in the NBA. The Nuggets were actually top five in like 4 defensive categories and #1 in the league in steals and blocks (can’t refer to the second-worst team, can it?) And their differential of points scored v. given up was comparable with Phoenix and San Antonio, to name a few. That said, they are one of the most frustrating defensive teams to watch, mainly because at times, they play with little heart. BUT, i totally agree on snubbing Camby. I hated it when Deke got the award while a Nugget, because they weren’t/aren’t good on-the-ball defenders. Not even decent. Camby is a helluva weakside defender, making steals and blocking shots, but his real value is cleaning the glass for a collectively bad defensive rebounding team.
Apr.17 at 3:27 pm
Tariq says:
And Lang…don’t pay attention to the accusations of homerisms. I couldn’t care less about the Hawks, and Horford is my ROY, and Josh Smith has become one of my favorite players for his awesome help defense (read: rejections aplenty) as well as his explosiveness. It was wasy to give KG the DPOY, but I was wondering how to rank Josh, Battier and Jax. Those were the contenders for the other two spots. So, if anything, Josh could have easily taken your 2nd place vote. He was awesome this season (and an Eastern all-star snub, in my opinion).
Apr.17 at 3:27 pm
Joel O's says:
Can’t argue with a single pick here.
Apr.17 at 3:27 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@Bison: I went with C-Bills because I thought he was the most important cog on that team, a team that finished with a better record than Phoenix.
Apr.17 at 3:29 pm
Tariq says:
Allenp: Iverson is actually my favorite player, along with KG. And I have no problem with AI being 2nd team and Baron dropping to 3rd team. It’s just that I was expecting AI on the ballot, but not Baron. By the way, are you Alan PAul? You in China, right?
Apr.17 at 3:30 pm
Cheryl says:
No arguments from me, whatsoever. Although, I would have had Battier first for DPOY and Garnett second, but I can’t fault your order.
Apr.17 at 3:31 pm
thebirdman says:
Jerry Sloan for coach of the year - anyone? anyone?
Apr.17 at 3:31 pm
adams says:
Baron Davis should be nowhere in this post. He had a very good first half of the season, but his second half was disappointing.
Apr.17 at 3:31 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I can’t say that I ever sat through an entire Hawks game this year, so I shant discredit Horford, who obviously had a good year.
But those Sonics might not have gotten to 10 wins this year without Durant.
When he was supposed to be hitting the wall, he went over 50% from the field over the last two months, many of which were crazy deep and rushed shots (two of which were buzzer beaters in one game against DEN.) An All-Star next year out of the West!
Apr.17 at 3:32 pm
Tariq says:
Lang: Good point concerning Billups, but I can’t help feeling that the Pistons just aren’t built for individual awards. Maybe give Prince the DPOY one of these days or something. Or give Rasheed some Golden Gloves.
Apr.17 at 3:32 pm
Tariq says:
Cub:
Did ypu just say “shan’t”?!
Apr.17 at 3:34 pm
Cub Buenning says:
I guess so, Tariq.
Apr.17 at 3:39 pm
Tariq says:
Whilst.
Apr.17 at 3:40 pm
TADOne says:
Very nice picks, Lang. I’m picking it apart trying to disagree with something you wrote, but i’m having a hard time. I guess I would have put Doc Rivers in 2nd for COY, and had left Phil off. Other than that, you did the damn thing.
Apr.17 at 3:41 pm
WhaHuh says:
battier is a good look for dpoy because of the run and the way he messed up kobe’s game with the hand in his face.
Apr.17 at 3:47 pm
what says:
Does anyone who follows the NBA NOT have a vested interest in a team? Sh-t even David Stern openly admits he’s a Knicks fan. Good luck finding enough impartial people to vote for these awards.
Apr.17 at 3:49 pm
Khalid Salaam says:
I’m not mad Lang
Apr.17 at 3:49 pm
dma says:
i’d put roy on the 3rd nba team. there’s no denying that portland team deserves SOME respect for going .500 in the WEST with the youngest team in league history WITHOUT the #1 pick this year and without the infamous, but never forgotten, darius miles.
Apr.17 at 3:52 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
1. KG in 4th is a travesty. A traveshamockery, even.
2. I wouldn’t have voted for Manu for sixth man, eligible or not. He played the FOURTH most minutes on the Spurs, only three (as of yesterday) less than Parker. He may be eligible by the letter of the law, but it just doesn’t seem fair.
3. I would have picked Horford over Durant too, and I have no particular bias towards either city.
Apr.17 at 3:52 pm
Candice says:
Cub, is that why the Nuggets are in the Top 10 of defensive efficeny? Is it because they rank high in those other categories?
Apr.17 at 3:53 pm
Candice says:
I like Hoford too as ROY.
Apr.17 at 3:56 pm
Tariq says:
what: Occassionally, I’ll see Lang say something subjective concerning the Hawks (or Falcons). Or Ryan with LeBron. Or Khalid with the Sixers. But I wouldn’t say that that’s “vested interest”. Plus, with the exception of Ryan, these are professional writers who, for the most part, don’t let their emotions dictate their decisions. Can you point to a single vote and say “That’s a biased vote”?
Apr.17 at 3:57 pm
Tariq says:
Oh yeah…I have KG before Bron for MVP voting.
Apr.17 at 3:58 pm
H to the izzo says:
…and before Paul too.
Apr.17 at 3:59 pm
H to the izzo says:
……and Kobe
Apr.17 at 4:00 pm
LordGef says:
DURANT!!!! I’m no fan of Kobe (I’m a Blazer fan) but he is the MVP this year. Period. Respect to Chris Paul, though.
Apr.17 at 4:01 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Didn’t Pitino sign Traveshamockery to like a six-year deal?
Apr.17 at 4:02 pm
Cub Buenning says:
Cheryl, indeed.
Nice to look at.
I can say the Nuggets should have won more games, but I make it a practice to not hate too much on 50-win teams until the playoffs are over.
Russ, I totally agree with your Manu take.
Apr.17 at 4:03 pm
Tariq says:
izzo: If KG gets the MVP, I’ll tip my hat to him and declare his worthiness with no hesitation. However, ranking Paul and Kobe above him in voting in no way constitutes a travesty.
Apr.17 at 4:04 pm
thebirdman says:
Everyone needs to calm down - it’s not like Lang voted Joe Johnson for MVP, Josh Smith for DPOY, Al Horford for ROY, and Josh Chilress for 6th man. And if I’m not mistaken, Lang hasn’t exactly been particularly excited about Mike Woodson this season.
Apr.17 at 4:06 pm
Tariq says:
Regarding Manu: like Barkley said, if he keeps coming off the bench, they need to retire this award. But if he’s eligible, how do you NOT vote for him?
Apr.17 at 4:07 pm
H to the izzo says:
Tariq:I never called it a travesty.But I do think 4th place for KG is a bit…ridiculous.
Apr.17 at 4:07 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
Who’s Mike Woodson? I am excited about him shaving his head, though.
Apr.17 at 4:09 pm
TADOne says:
Is he shaving his beard as well, Lang?
Apr.17 at 4:09 pm
ESneed says:
I was with you until you took Horford over Durant…I seem to remember J Kidd playing for a bad,and I mean bad, Mavericks’ squad and his numbers spoke louder than the Mavs’ record, so at least give him a share of the ROY. Horford had a nice season, but the hardware belongs in Kev’s trophy case… You hit everything else right on though
Apr.17 at 4:10 pm
thebirdman says:
You know - Mike Woodson - head coach of one of the most irrelevant basketball franchises in modern history. Did you see what I did there - I was channeling Bill Walton.
Apr.17 at 4:11 pm
Tariq says:
izzo: Well, it’s an exceptionally strong field this year. Some would say that a guy averaging 30,8 and 8 and finishing fourth is equally shambolic.
Apr.17 at 4:12 pm
bOBbY DIgITAl says:
you dont vote on all defense teams
Apr.17 at 4:13 pm
Tariq says:
Lang: Don’t you vote for the all-defensive team?
Apr.17 at 4:13 pm
Michael says:
Chauncey over Nash?
Apr.17 at 4:24 pm
Myles Brown says:
Im with Lang on Horford. The Hawks never had a consistent post presence before him and hes a big reason theyre in the playoffs. I dont like giving most improved to a guy in his eighth year who initially was the third option on his own team. I also dont know about B Diddy on the second team, but since I cant think of another candidate, eff it, why not. Gotta ride with Russ on Manu being sixth man and I dont hold Cambys team against his individual defensive performance, but hes still second to KG. And Im certainly not mad at Kobe getting that vote. I would like to see Eddie Jordan get some more love though.
Apr.17 at 4:25 pm
BMan says:
Great picks all around, Lang. But don’t know why you would consider Saunders. Cheeks? Sloan? Pop? Sloan not having a COY award is a travesty. Or what Russ said.
Apr.17 at 4:29 pm
d.Y. says:
Not mad at all. I would have AI over Boom, and maybe Nash too, but it’s close enough and it’s not like Nashty won’t get plenty votes.
Apr.17 at 4:37 pm
Phila says:
I got a problem with leaving Carmelo Anthony off of the all nba teams, not giving Marcus Camby a DPOY vote, and ignoring Danny Granger with the most improved.
Apr.17 at 4:38 pm
Eboy says:
Perhaps if you thought out of the box, Lang, you could have gave Chris Quinn consideration for MIP. But NOOOOO, you go the expected route!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bastard!!!!! Can’t hate on the picks though.
Apr.17 at 4:40 pm
Tariq says:
Phila: I would have liked to see Melo instead of Dirk too, but Nowitzki earned it with the way he finished out the season.
Apr.17 at 4:44 pm
RV says:
Lang, what was your reasoning behind not picking scola at least third?
Apr.17 at 4:47 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Lang, Hawks in the playoffs and YOU voting for Kobe as MVP = hell def. freezing over.
Apr.17 at 4:47 pm
RV says:
i’m glad you didn’t pick doc, he used tom thibodeau as defensive coordinator, so he doesnt deserve full credit for that turnaround from a coaching perspective
Apr.17 at 4:47 pm
tony b says:
NO MVP VOTES FOR PJ BROWN!?
Apr.17 at 4:49 pm
RV says:
and hopefully the other voters feel the same as you about Battier, the guy has played consistently great D all yr going against the best wing players in the NBA, i hope he gets at least a few first place votes
Apr.17 at 4:49 pm
Tariq says:
tony b: you read the Scoop article on espn, didn’t you?
Apr.17 at 4:51 pm
Mohamed says:
good picks, however Kobie and the Lakers will get knocked out by Denver.
Deron Williams should be the MVP, to bad he play in Utah/
MO
Apr.17 at 4:55 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
I wouldn’t be able to pick Scola as rookie of the year, either. The League has their guidelines, I have mine. He’s been a pro for a long time, and has competed against the NBA’s best already. It would be like naming a 24-year-old graduate of the Sorbonne a high school valedictorian.
Apr.17 at 4:58 pm
TADOne says:
Plus, Al Thornton had a good season.
Apr.17 at 4:59 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Got that everyone? Russ has HIS OWN guidelines..don’t let there be any confusion as to who runs the Russ show around here. Odd, his sentence begins with “I”.
Apr.17 at 5:06 pm
Diesel says:
A Hawks player nominated for every award…man you suck Lang. I’m suprised Joe Johnson didn’t get your MVP award. By your standards, a team that’s going to be out of the playoffs in a week should sweep the year-end awrds. Josh Childress for 6th man??? Durant’s 20 a night while being singled in on by defenses isn’t as good as Horfords 9 points on a crappy team in a crappy division? HOMER
Apr.17 at 5:08 pm
RV says:
i dont get this: isn’t Manu on the same boat as Scola? How does Manu get 6th man, even though he’s clearly really a starter and plays the big minutes, but Scola isn’t seen as a rookie because he’s clearly more polished than other rookies and has the experience?
Apr.17 at 5:11 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
FLUXLAND is my hero. And RV, I (ME!!!!) stated earlier that I (ME!!!!!!!) wouldn’t have voted for Manu for sixth man, either. But those are just my opinions. It’s not like I have a real ballot.
Apr.17 at 5:14 pm
RV says:
Russ the comment was mainly directed at Lang, im assuming he had the same reasoning because he didn’t even pick Scola third, Thornton had a good season, but Scola is at least top 3. Plus a lot of other posters feel the same
Apr.17 at 5:58 pm
Baljit says:
Lang you blew it. Melo and AI should have both been on the second team they won 50 games made the playoffs and had better indvidual seasons then Tim Duncan, Baron Davis, Deron Williams and Chris Paul. Baron Davis did’nt even make the playoffs and his second part of the season sucked. Kobe is MVP finally! (almost)
Apr.17 at 6:06 pm
Eboy says:
The MVP this year should be spelled K-O-B-E
Apr.17 at 6:13 pm
Allen says:
OMFG. Lang, you have been de-toxed! The haterade has been flushed out of your system. Next up, Ryan Jones!!!
Apr.17 at 6:13 pm
underdog says:
Hey Lang, thanks for showing some love to Josh Childress. Too bad he’s still under the radar.
Apr.17 at 6:30 pm
Jason says:
I like a lot of these picks…but…as much as I am a fan of B-Diddy, I have to agree with the majority that I would have put Iverson and/or Nash above him. I will say it was cool seeing D-Will get some love considering that everyones attention seems to be on CP3 when D-Will does just as much. I actually agree with Dirk over Carmelo (Dirk coming back at the end of the season from injury to help save his team from a not making the playoffs puts him over the top). To me, Dirk does more for his team then Carmelo and is the undesputed leader of his team. Don’t get me wrong, Melo has put up nice numbers…but thats about it, nothing extra and I don’t feel like he should continue to get credit for Iversons leadership of that team. I have watched that team closer since they got Iverson, and if it wasn’t for Iverson this year that Nuggets team would be a .500 team this year in the West. Real talk. I agree with the rookie of the year…why should Durant get it? He’s hardly done a damn thing. LMAO! Much love to my favorite player TIM DUNCAN!!!!!!! People tend to take advantage of Tims greatness at times, so its good to see him get the MVP consideration nod. LOL! And for gods sake, will somebody just give Kobe the MVP award so his fans can shut up already! I honastly feel like it should go to CP3 or KG…but give it to Kobe so we won’t have to hear him crying. I like that Byron Scott pick for Coach of the year…except lastnughts game he came up real short. *sighs*
Apr.17 at 6:44 pm
Russ Bengtson says:
FYI, Manu Ginobili played just 29 minutes fewer than Kevin Garnett this season (in three more games). Sixth man?
Apr.17 at 6:48 pm
sora says:
Paul deserves MVP.
Kobe deserves it more, that’s all.
Apr.17 at 7:07 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
My picks:
NBA Most Improved Player
Linas Kleiza NBA Coach of the Year
George Karl Defensive Player of the Year
Marcus Camby All NBA Teams
First Team
F - Carmelo Anthony
F - Kenyon Martin
C - Marcus Camby
G - Allen Iverson
G - Anthony Carter Second Team
F - Linas Kleiza
F - Eduardo Najera
C - Nene
G - J.R. Smith
G - Chucky Atkins Third Team
F - Bobby Jones
C - Steven Hunter
G - Yakhouba Diawara
G - Taureen Green Sixth Man of the Year
J.R. Smith Rookie of the Year
Taureen Green MVP
Allen Iverson
Apr.17 at 7:09 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
My picks: NBA Most Improved Player Linas Kleiza NBA Coach of the Year George Karl Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Camby All NBA Teams First Team F - Carmelo Anthony
F - Kenyon Martin
C - Marcus Camby
G - Allen Iverson
G - Anthony Carter Second Team
F - Linas Kleiza
F - Eduardo Najera
C - Nene
G - J.R. Smith
G - Chucky Atkins Third Team
F - Bobby Jones
C - Steven Hunter
G - Yakhouba Diawara
G - Taureen Green Sixth Man of the Year
J.R. Smith Rookie of the Year
Taureen Green MVP
Allen Iverson
Apr.17 at 7:13 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
My picks:
NBA Most Improved Player
Linas Kleiza
Apr.17 at 7:13 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
NBA Coach of the Year
George Karl (or Adrian Dantley)
Apr.17 at 7:14 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Defensive Player of the Year
Marcus Camby
Apr.17 at 7:14 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
All NBA Teams
First Team
F - Carmelo Anthony
F - Kenyon Martin
C - Marcus Camby
G - Allen Iverson
G - Anthony Carter
Apr.17 at 7:14 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Second Team
F - Linas Kleiza
F - Eduardo Najera
C - Nene
G - J.R. Smith
G - Chucky Atkins
Apr.17 at 7:15 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Third Team
F - Bobby Jones
C - Steven Hunter
G - Yakhouba Diawara
G - Taureen Green
Apr.17 at 7:15 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Sixth Man of the Year
J.R. Smith
Apr.17 at 7:16 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
Rookie of the Year
Taureen Green
Apr.17 at 7:17 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
MVP
Allen Iverson
Apr.17 at 7:23 pm
Jason says:
Wow…Bubba Chuck is taking things to far. LMAO!! And Coach Karl should win “Coach that needs to be fired after this year” award.
Apr.17 at 7:25 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
My thought with Baron was that he averaged more ppg than he had since 2004, more rpg than he had since 2001, more mpg than since 2002, and he played in all 82 games for the first time since 2002. Plus his team won 48 games. And Nash’s ppg, apg, spg and mpg were all down from last season.
Apr.17 at 7:35 pm
Ken H. says:
I agree with everything you wrote Lang, good job. Especially with Horford who I think had a monster season. The difference between him and Durant is that he put up meaningful stats for his team whereas KD put up meaningless stats. I think it will play out the same way Melo and Lebron did though when LeBron got the award even though Melo took his team to the playoffs that year in the tough West without any REAL help and Lebron missed the playoffs. Always thought Melo was the better rookie that year because his numbers meant more to his team than LBJ’s.
Apr.17 at 7:37 pm
Bubba Chuck says:
@ Jason: I just did it 3 times bcuz u couldn’t rele read it tha 1st 2 times. & about Karl: 50 WINS!
Apr.17 at 8:08 pm
Vanilla Thunder says:
No Nash is a little befuddling. I remember in SI’s season preview they didn’t think Kobe would make any of the all-nba teams.
Apr.17 at 8:08 pm
Nick says:
Scola is not even in the top 3? all that campaigning i did…for nothing! Other than potential how the hell is al thorton a better rookie than Scola. Everything else…well done.
Apr.17 at 8:24 pm
RV says:
i still don’t get it….and denver fans are loco
Apr.17 at 8:43 pm
Atrain says:
Lang…usually I agree with you. But you said “Kobe Bryant is a better basketball player than anyone in the NBA” Does that give him the MVP? Let me ask you this. If you took Bryant off the Lakers would they make the Playoffs? I’d argue yes. If Paul was off the Hornets? Not sniffing it. Kobe deserved this award a couple years ago, and I feel he’ll win it this year because he hasn’t yet. Paul is the MVP
Apr.17 at 8:53 pm
Sari says:
Oh come on…Horford over Durant, I understand the whole he’s making his team win, no one expected him to do anything, bla bla bla, but Kevin just tore it up, I dont know if I’m the only one who sees it but he’s matured alot since the begining of the season, and he’s a really clutch player, he’s averaging double the points of what Horford is averaging, sure Al has got more rebounds but Durant is a SG/SF, and taking that into effect he’s been a pretty damn good one. And he’s shown flashes of greatness while Al hasn’t, so yea, that can go against him (Durant will have a ebtter career,etc.) but who just flat out balled better? It’s Durant.
Apr.17 at 8:54 pm
Sari says:
*better
Apr.17 at 8:59 pm
Jason says:
Yeah Bubba Chuck…Coach Karl Coached that team to 50 wins that should have at least been 55 this season, even with the tough West. I have seen Karl’s Coaching cost his team games this season, which is unfortounate. That team has the reigning DPOY in Camby, yet that team is second to last in defense in the entire league? That team has managed to be the most bipolar team in the league this year, sometimes they look like Championship contenders then other times they look like an AND-1 streetball team or the Harlem Globetrotters. That inconsistancy starts with the Coach. IMO, Karls lackluster attitude is a reflection of his team. The sad part is because they won 50 games, Karl probably won’t be gone next year. But he has to change the style he has that team playing in because although they have 50 wins…they got the majority of thoses wins off their talent alone…if that team played at least somewhat consistant decent defense, they would be a top 5 team. IMO. Some of it has to come from the players, yes, but a lot of it has to start from the Coach. I watch Denver since they traded for Iverson and I don’t want to see AI waste the rest of his career on a team with no heart…he had enough of that in Philly. I want to see him at least be able to contend untill he retires.
Apr.17 at 9:20 pm
JackBrown says:
Dwight over Amare? Really? Really?!
Apr.17 at 9:21 pm
RV says:
Sari…Horford was actually the sure thing rookie, he was the only guy who was NBA ready, so i think most people actually expected him to do well. You said Horford had more rebs, but thats because durant is a wing player, well then Duran’t scored twice as many points because he took twice as many shots… Horford has had his flashes of greatness as well, doesn’t mean anything though, so did Damon Stoudamire as a rook and he was never “great”, its about this year as a whole, not what he may be later.
Apr.17 at 9:27 pm
ER says:
can’t argue with that, good picks. i think cp3 deserves mvp more than kobe though.
Apr.17 at 9:28 pm
John D says:
KG in FOURTH??? Really??
Apr.17 at 9:30 pm
John D says:
There is absolutely no way that Lebron should be ahead of KG under any circumstances.
Apr.17 at 10:12 pm
Michael NZ says:
Important fact: Amare is a TERRIBLE defender. He loses votes for that no matter if its All NBA, MVP or whatever. I just think hes a garbage defender. Occasional weak side blocks barely count.
Apr.17 at 10:45 pm
Jordan A says:
how did you leave Nash off the All NBA teams?
Apr.17 at 11:05 pm
Sari says:
RV I guess you have a point, especially with the Durant takes more shots argument. So I guess your’e right if you say that statistically Horford does more. Another thing though is that Durant was expected to come in and be The Man, at first it wasn’t going well but he was able to adapt to it. The thing is that they’re very different players in very different situations, so it’s hard to compare them, if it was up to me I’d make them both a Co-Rookie of the year.
Apr.17 at 11:48 pm
Jukai says:
The fact that Nash isn’t in your second/third all-NBA team is just blatant hate. C’mon now.
Apr.18 at 12:13 am
RV says:
the big question should be, why do they let the media vote? I would think the players themselves know best what kind of impact these guys have, let the players vote, there never are any complaints about who won when its your peers who decided the winner..
Apr.18 at 2:01 am
Danny says:
The first 5 for MVP should be the All-NBA first team. No way TD can be left of the first team.
Baron Davis ahead of Steve Nash? Thats putting stats ahead of chemistry.
Garnett will not win MVP ‘cos voters will assuage their conscience by giving him the defensive player award. LeBron was actually better than Kobe for the first half (on two fantasy teams I was offered Kobe for LBJ) but the second half belonged to Kobe and thats what voters will remember. Chris Paul was great but that team is better than people give it credit for. Their balance is great up front with Peja, West and Chandler.
Apr.18 at 2:35 am
tealish says:
Lang: You explained Baron over Nash. How about an inkling as to why BD is over AI? I’m guessing there is no reason. I’m trying morphe myself into a Warrior fan to see what I could say to justify Baron over Iverson, and I still got nothing……..
Props for leaving Anthony off, though. I’m glad you see through his hype. If there was an All NBA FOURTH team, Melo should still be left out in the cold.
Apr.18 at 2:38 am
Doc Fan says:
I thought MVP was the player most valuable to their team,not the best player in the league.
Paul is the engine that makes that team go.
How many games would they win without him?
The lakers have superior individual talent besides kobe.
Other than that,I agree with all.
And Lebron travels 50 percent of time.
Apr.18 at 3:07 am
niño napod says:
KOBE!!!MVP!!!Yeah!!!Nice point there Lang, and I think its about time for my man kobe to take home the hardware…
Apr.18 at 4:13 am
Bigi says:
Nice Pics!I like them…
Apr.18 at 4:18 am
matt the jazz fan says:
THanks Lang; while I agree with the MVP vote outcome, i think your justification is only right when you mention that he’s just as valuable to the Lakers as Paul is to the Hornets. Not when you say he’s the best player, ’cause he’s been that for the last 5 years. Also I would have factored in defense more explicitly… But again right result so I can’t really complain…
Apr.18 at 5:28 am
Slobodan Chutzpah says:
I’m not a particularly big Celtics fan but I can’t understand how you can leave Doc Rivers out of the top 3. I don’t care that they had Garnett, they won 66 games and played historically good defense. He is at least more deserving than Jax and Jordan.
Apr.18 at 6:51 am
Kevin says:
i actually agree with every one of your votes, except that I’d probably put Steve Nash in the mix somewhere on the All Nba 3rd team.. wow, sounds strange jus thinkin that he’s only 3rd team this year. :/
Apr.18 at 9:18 am
riggs says:
things i have a problem with: danny granger not in the MIP, KG being 4th?. other than that im cool….HORFORD 4 MVP!1
Apr.18 at 9:38 am
There’s no favorite in this series « Arsenalist says:
[…] Jose Calderon ended up winning the Assist to Turnover title while Jason Kapono won the 3-point FG title (so freaking skewed given his play and lack of 3s) but that didn’t stop Lang Whitaker from voting in Jose third on the Sixth Man of the Year ballot. […]
Apr.18 at 10:14 am
Hursty says:
fine, all were good but I have tmac over baron or AI.
Apr.18 at 10:39 am
scott says:
Garnett fourth? How about Garnett for MVP.
Apr.18 at 11:16 am
Chris Sorum says:
lol, Lang left off two-time mvp Steve Nash from the All-NBA teams. I love it.
Apr.18 at 12:11 pm
Ben says:
Durant #2 ??? No way! http://www.squidoo.com/KevinDurantDunk
Apr.18 at 12:12 pm
Tomas says:
KOBE MVP FTW!!!
Apr.18 at 12:45 pm
Engin says:
I don’t understand how Baron Davis is qualified to be on that list? He played some terrible games in the season, his team didn’t make the playoffs, and heck he wasn’t even the best player on the Warriors roster(Ellis was better).
Besides i would choose Jamison(or Bosh,but Bosh missed too many games) over Nowitzki because although German guy is a huge talent, he didn’t play like quite himself most of the season.And Jamison was the more consistent player and the main reason for the Wizards’ success despite all these injuries.
Finally, Adelman deserves respect and a third (maybe second) spot since Yao-less Rockets’ don’t seem to be a play-off team on paper.
But i appreciate you for choosing Horford over Durant and give Josh Smith a place in the DPOY list. Is it because you reside in Atlanta? Cheers!
Apr.18 at 1:52 pm
chiqo says:
hard for me to call someone mvp after they tried to run the team into the ground before the season started.
Apr.18 at 4:29 pm
Lang Whitaker says:
@chiqo: I thought about that. But I don’t think Bynum would’ve played as well if Kobe hadn’t called him out, so intentionally or not, I think Kobe made him better. Also, remember that in training camp when all the trade talk started, that was all initiated by Dr. Buss. And yes, I’m defending Kobe here.
Apr.18 at 6:15 pm
hatedone says:
soooo predictable, kobe bryant has done nothing different this year, he’s still the same old, same old, so I dont understand why everyone is picking him for mvp. He has more talent on the team than he’s ever had before. Chris Paul has done so much with less talent (no offense). My vote will always be cp3 for mvp.
Apr.18 at 6:18 pm
whateve says:
wow so suprised
Apr.19 at 7:50 am
Blinguo says:
Stephen Jackson - Most Improved Temper (He ain’t mad at ‘em, every ref gets pats on the rear, ok maybe not Violet Palmer?)
Kobe Bean Bryant - Most Rasheed’s/Regressed Temper? That puts Kobe and his beans behind CP3-4-MVP. You’d think with all that new help he wouldn’t get near suspensions for getting T’d up. Also CP kept his team in the top echelon of the NBA’s Western Conference this year going from outside the playoff picture with the only major addition being a shaky/inconsistent Peja back from the sidelines. But this MVP thing is always, who’s the most “Valuable” (to his team) vs. Who’s the “Best” and that means Steve Nash is the best Steve Nash x 2!
Apr.19 at 7:51 am
Blinguo says:
*…outside the playoff picture “last year”*
Apr.20 at 8:01 am
nothin personal says:
In my opinion, a MVP vote should come with three (unconventional) guidelines from the League:
a) It’s a consolation prize. Just like the scoring title. F*ck Russell, he got a championship(or ten) for his troubles Wilt averaged 50 and 20 , while Robertson was doing his triple double thing. A player that has a legitimate chance of win it all, should only get consideration if he is doing it all alone, and if he is making a regular season impact (lets say take his team to a top 5 record).
b)What he does for his teammates should be irrelevant. I don’t care if he motivates his teammates, elevates their games or gives them bl0wj0bs in the locker room, what should matter for an individual award is on court, individual awesomeness. Again, intangibles and teamplay can be counted in the W column, the MVP should be a bad motherf#cker that would fill seats and draw TVratings.
c)It has to be exponentially harder to cop a second Mo Podoloff than your first one. Steve Nash got the Suns running and created a show for the ages? Give him some hardware for his troubles. He kept doing it for a second straight season? Old news, give me something amazing to root for (this will shut up casual viewers and let us consentrate on our Spurs-Pistons finals that should have happened). This way we won’t be getting the Wade-treatment or the Nowitzki WCF ref-bullsh1t). It would also mean that if someone pulls off an amazing year, he has more chances to win one, instead of having the same old boring guy (Duncan) winning cause he fits well with the system and will be good come PO time.
Which leads us to:
d) Reminder: It’s a regular season award. I don’t care if Jordan is a better player than Barkley or Malone, neither if Hakeem is gonna scorch the Admiral in the playoffs. It’s a regular season award. Shaq’s cruising through the regular season? Nowitzki is trying to involve his teammates so they get a better their confidence up? Garnett doesn’t have to play 40 because his team is so damn good and the East is crap? GIVE IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE THEN, please. I’ll say it once more, it’s a regular season, individual award.
On second thought, it would be for the best if we renamed it to Most Outstanding Player award and get it over with.