I REALIZE we’ve all got it coming (William “Bill” Munny, “Unforgiven”), but, for the moment, fans, foes, freeloaders and freebasers, it’s time to credit or discredit those in the NBA who’ve got it coming off their 2006-07.
* Coach-of-the-Year (most improved, too): Sam Mitchell. Only Alonzo Mourning thought the Raptors would be this good. One loss away (2-8) from being deported near Thanksgiving, the reshuffled, young – though internationally tested in four cases – Raptors won the Atlantic Division going away despite two frontcourt incapacitations.
Runners-up: Avery Johnson. His Mavericks mob was on pace to win 70 games before a late-season malaise. Playing 16 games in 28 days from March 11 to April 7 might’ve had something to do with easing off the pedal and carefully monitoring their minutes.
Jeff Van Gundy. Yao Ming missed 33 games, Bonzi Wells again self-destructed and the Rockets still finished fourth in the West.
Byron Scott. No team was more demolished by injuries to vital players (limited space prevents me from listing them), yet the Hornets competed for a West playoff spot until last Friday.
George Karl. Other than going through one transitional period after another (suspensions of Carmelo Anthony and J.R. Smith, incorporating Allen Iverson, Nene’s extended healing process), the Nuggets are primed and peaking for the playoffs.
Honorable mention: Don Nelson, Jerry Sloan, Scott Skiles, Ron Rothstein and Adrian Dantley.
* Defensive Player (as well as most valuable role player): Marcus Camby. He is averaging 3.3 blocks (No. 1), 11.7 rebounds (No. 5) on the Nuggets, a notoriously defensively-deficient team. Somebody had to pick up and challenge Anthony’s and Iverson’s men once they blew past them.
Runners-up: Shane Battier, Tyson Chandler and Tim Duncan.
Honorable Mention: Raja Bell, Devin Harris, Ron Artest, Ben Wallace, Bruce Bowen and Shawn Marion.
* Most Improved Player: Kevin Martin. In three seasons, his points per game average has gone from 2.9 to 10.8 to 20.4, and nobody scores as much with fewer shots.
Runners-up: Deron Williams, Chandler, Monta Ellis, Leandro Barbosa.
Honorable Mention: Al Jefferson, Jason Kapono, Mo Williams, Mikki Moore and Devin Brown.
* Top Rookie: Brandon Roy.
Runners-up: Andrea Bargnani, Paul Millsap, Rudy Gay and LaMarcus Aldridge.
Second team: Randy Foye, Rajon Rondo, Craig Smith, Tyson Tomas and Jorge Garbajosa.
* Sixth Man: Leandro Barbosa. A strong case could be made for him as well in the above category. Averaging 18.1 points, 4.1 assists and 43.5 percent from 3-point province, his multi-dimensions make the Suns’ professional pest virtually un-guardable.
Runners-up: David Lee, Antonio McDyess, Jerry Stackhouse, Corey Maggette and Luther Head.
Manu Ginobili masqueraded half the time as a nuclear sub but played starter minutes. On the other hand, Melo’s hit-and-run in New York revealed he’s more of a back-up than a starter.
MVP: Dirk Nowitzki, a year overdue by my 2006 ballot. Despite Kobe Bryant’s 10 50-points detonations, this has been a match-race since the gate sprung between a foreign pair of Amazing Caucasians. David Stern’s Basketball Without Borders Clinics appear to be paying dividends.
In this corner, Nowitzki, who entered the final half-week averaging 24.6 points, 8.9 points and 3.4 assists. Of the dozen players averaging more ppg, only Yao (51.2) is shooting a higher percentage.
In the other corner, Steve Nash, who came as close to the cup of becoming an MV3 as I’ll probably ever see again in my lifetime . . . a plateau only reached by the firm of Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Bird. Nash’s typical season – 18.8 ppg (identical to last season), 11.6 assists, and 3.5 rebounds – is a fairly good reason why the Suns own the league’s second best mark and are the only team, other than the Warriors, to beat the Mavs twice.
What’s utterly re-Dirk-ulous (as Ernie Johnson would say) is that Nowitzki and Nash were Dallas teammates for six seasons prior to the last three yet “somehow” the Mavs flossed and managed to flourish minus Steve’s (two-time MVP) leadership.
That “somehow” can be diametrically traced to an offseason powwow Nowitzki broached with Mark Cuban that contributed to convincing the amped-up owner from working the refs so harshly, which, in turn, common sense leads us to believe, may’ve helped the Mavs get the benefit of the doubt on occasion during the year.
That “somehow” is also snugly affiliated to Nowitzki’s know how and will power. He came into the season with a chip on his shoulder after losing a very winnable Finals last June and has played like he’s possessed by Linda Blair.
Runners-up: Duncan, McGrady, Kobe, Bosh, LeBronze James and Carlos Boozer.
* All-League First Team: Nowitzki, McGrady, Duncan, Nash, Bryant.
Second Team: James, Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Tony Parker, Gilbert Arenas.
Third Team: Anthony, Carlos Boozer, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade and Chauncey Billups.
This just in: Imus swears he never disparaged the dearly-departed Don Ho.