NBA Mid-Mid Season Awards

Roughly 25% of the NBA season has been played, and you know what that means: another meaningless Mid-Mid-Season awards post by some no name sports blogger desperately trying to get a few more hits on his page! You know the rules: if the season were to end today, who would be bringing home the hardware. Up first: the MVP Award.

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Harden has averaged 26.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 2 steals per game while carrying most of the load for an otherwise pedestrian Houston offense. Harden has actually looked like a decent defender at times this season, a nice change of pace from his last few disappointing defensive seasons. Harden really gets the nod for dragging the (mostly) Dwight Howard-less Rockets to an 18-5 record, good enough for 3rd place in the West. With both Howard and Terrance Jones due back for Houston soon, add a fresh Patrick Beverly and a dangerous Trevor Ariza, and the Rockets look like a scary team come playoff time. Harden barely edges out Stephen Curry for a few reasons. The numbers so far don't lie: Harden has scored more than Curry, and has a slight edge over him in steals, with far superior results on the defensive end overall. Marc Gasol is another option for the MVP for his role in anchoring an elite defense in Memphis, while carrying a lot of the offensive load as well. Gasol makes everyone around him better, which is something neither Curry nor Harden can really say. If the polls closed today Harden would get my vote, but it's anybody's race at this point. Our next award: Defensive Player of the Year.

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Gasol has been an elite rim protector for years, and as I mentioned earlier, he is also the anchor of an elite defense in Memphis. The Grizzlies are currently 4th in points allowed, and 7th in defensive efficiency. To go along with altering every shot near the rim, he also chips in 1.7 blocks, and a steal a game. It's no wonder that Memphis was able to win back-to-back games against Western Conference powers Golden State and San Antonio to boost their record to 21-4. If Gasol keeps up this level of play he could take home MVP and DPOY honors, but for now he'll just have to settle for this made up Mid-Mid-Season Defensive Player of the Year Award. Joakim Noah is the runner-up for this award for being the glue that holds Chicago's perennially dominate defense together. Andrew Bogut also deserves a mention here, but his recent injury knocked him down a few slots. Golden State is number 1 in defensive efficiency currently, and Andrew Bogut's rim protection has a big part in that. Bogut is the key to a Golden State title run, so his return to the court will be huge. Our next award: Coach of the Year.

Derick E Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Kerr has taken over for Mark Jackson, and has led this once dysfunctional group to a red hot start to the season. The Warriors currently sit at 21-3, alone atop the Western Conference. The Grizzlies snapped their 16 game winning streak Tuesday night, and they have another tough game against Oklahoma City on Thursday, but if Golden State can get through this rough patch of games, and get Andrew Bogut back healthy, they seem to be the early favorites to represent the West in the NBA Finals. Kerr has taken a talented roster and taken them to the next level. They are currently first in defensive efficiency, third in points per game, and fourth in assists per game. Whatever Kerr is doing out in the Bay Area seems to be working. Dwane Casey has also led the Raptors to a surprising 20-6 start, even without star DeMar DeRozen for 9 of those games. If the Raptors can hang on and win the East Casey has a solid chance of winning Coach of the Year come season's end. Dave Joerger also deserves a shoutout here. I've already discussed the hot start Memphis has gotten off to, and Joerger and his system have certainly had a role in that. It's strange to think that Joerger interviewed with Minnesota for their coaching vacancy during a shake-up in the front office in Memphis. The Grizzlies wisely chose to hold onto Joerger, and he is quietly making this team a defensive juggernaut that also score at a top 10 rate. Our next award: Most Improved Player.

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

After a frustrating 2013-2014 campaign with Houston Asik has emerged as a perfect front-court partner for Anthony Davis down in New Orleans. Asik struggled last season averaging only 5.8 points and 7.9 rebounds a game, but has improved those numbers drastically in his new home. It was almost a certainty that he would improve his game with a change of scenery. Asik considered himself a starter, but Houston had other plans after acquiring Dwight Howard. He sat out several games, and dealt with trade rumors most of the season. Asik's wish came true in the off-season when he was traded to the Pelicans. Elite rim protectors are a rarity in today's NBA, and Asik certainly fits that mold. Tyson Chandler is also in consideration for this award. The off-season return to Dallas has done Chandler wonders. He thrives in Rick Carlisle's system, and he is a big reason that Dallas is playing so well this season. Next up: Rookie of the Year.

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Andrew Wiggins almost falls into this spot by default. After injuries to Jabari Parker, Joel Embiid, Aaron Gordon, and Julius Randle there are not many other top 10 picks left playing this season. Wiggins is averaging 12.6 points per game while shooting a respectable 40 percent from the field, and 36 percent from behind the arc. The Wolves are struggling this season, but this does allow Wiggins a little more freedom to explore his game. He has played around average on defense, but rookies aren't known for their ability to defend. The rest of his game will definitely come later, and for now he is the best rookie in the league. Not far behind him however is Nerlens Noel. Noel is putting up 8.1 points, 6.5 boards, and nearly 3 blocks and steals combined per game. He is already shown his brilliance at the defensive end of the court, and his offensive game improves every day. Philly is bad, but seeing Michael Carter-Williams and Noel play like they belong in the NBA has to be a positive sign for Philly fans. 

Originally posted to http://beardedsportsreport.sportsblog.com/posts/1443071/nba_mid_mid_season_awards.html