With the 2005-2006 NBA season upon us, who will stand out? Who will represent the East and West in the finals? Here's a look
at the season awards for this coming season.
Rookie of the Year: Hakim Warrick (Memphis Grizzles) My sleeper pick. Call me crazy, but I just think Mike Fratello goes for broke, puts Pau at center and gives Warrick the
majority of the minutes at the four. What do they have to lose? Warrick's probably the last person anyone thinks will win ROY,
but with so much parity coming out of the 2005 draft, I think he's really going to surprise a lot of people.
My other favorite pick is Danny Granger. He was unbelievable during the preseason, and with his combination of offense
and defense, coach Rick Carlisle will have a hard time keeping him on the bench.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Nenad Krstic (New Jersey Nets) I'm probably going to loose a lot of people with this pick, but Krstic has the chance to have a breakout season. He has
very good footwork and a nasty streak rarely seen by Euros. He will have plenty of opportunities to establish something down low
with Kidd, Carter, and Jefferson on the wings. If you weren't paying attention, Krstic averaged 18 and 8 against the number one
seed in last season's playoffs. Look for much stronger things this season.
Sixth Man of the Year: Michael Finley (San Antonio Spurs) For any other team, Finley would be starter. For the defending world champs, he'll be the first player off the bench.
That can only spell good things for the Spurs. Finley is capable of playing three positions and if any of the Spurs starters
struggle, he'll be there to pick up the pieces. The Spurs are on a collision course for a repeat so it stands to reason that
it's their depth that puts them over the top.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest (Indiana Pacers) Just trust me on this. Ron Artest is on a mission. He's one strike away from totally ruining his basketball career, and
after last season's mishap, nobody has more at stake than Artest. He will have a bigger spotlight on him than Kobe Bryant during
his rape trail. With that said, I think Artest keeps it on the court, and reclaims his position as the leagues best swing
defender (sorry Bruce Bowen).
Most Valuable Player: Shaquille O'Neal The biggest question going into this season is how the
Miami Heat will mesh all of their offensive talent into a success team. The answer
is clear:
Shaquille O'Neal. Shaq should have won the award last season for the
Heat's great turnaround (and the subsequent demise of the Lakers), but Steve Nash and the 62 win Suns were the hottest team and
media favorite.
Now, Shaq has more talent, and won't stand for any in-fighting over minutes or shots. This team starts and ends with
Shaq. He will make sure that Antoine Walker and Jason Williams mesh favorably along with himself and budding star Dwyane Wade.
The Heat are loaded, and it will be Shaq that keeps them all in line.
Finals Prediction: San Antonio Spurs v. Indiana Pacers This was my finals match up last season until the Pacers started fighting fans. The winner in the West is pretty
simple. The San Antonio Spurs are the team to beat. They will defend their
championship crown in the finals. The Pacers have waited long enough and have enough chemistry to make a championship run. For
the Pacers to have any chance, Jermaine O'Neal has to step his game WAY up.
So who wins the trophy? That's easy: The Spurs in 6.
