Perhaps the greatest indicator of LeBron James’ current dominance of the NBA is that the only controversy in Most Valuable Player voting is who deserves to be second. There haven’t been many times in NBA history when that was the case – when it was one player doing a Secretariat and the field 31 lengths behind. The closest in recent years probably was 1995-96 when Michael Jordan led the Bulls to a 72-10 record. He had 109 of 113 first-place votes that
Memphis’ Marc Gasol, who anchored the league’s stingiest defense, is the NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award. Gasol becomes the first player in Grizzlies history to earn the honor. His teammate, Tony Allen, who received my first-place vote (along with eight other first-place votes), finished fifth. Gasol received 212 of a possible 1,089 points, including 30 first-place votes, from a panel of 121 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Miami’s LeBron James (149 points, 18 first-place votes) and
In a conference call last week, NBA commissioner David Stern made it clear that he wasn’t a huge fan of “homer” announcers. But it’s one thing to watch a broadcast of the Portland Trail Blazers – or any team – and get an earful of blind support for the home team. It’s entirely another when some of these broadcasters extend their undying support when they vote on the NBA’s season-ending awards. Knicks guard J.R. Smith won the Sixth Man Award today. The
NEW YORK — Well, you can’t exactly call it a landslide. But it certainly was a more decisive vote than many might have anticipated. J.R. Smith, who led all reserves in scoring, received 72 first-place votes to Crawford’s 31 in winning the NBA’s Sixth Man award Monday. Jarrett Jack of Golden State received 14 first-place votes and finished third. My vote went to Smith, who had seven 30-point games in which the Knicks went 5-2. Crawford scored 30 once — one of the deciding
I always wait until the final day of the season to make up my mind on my official NBA ballot choices. Why? Because during the lockout-shortened NBA season in 1999, I was in San Antonio covering a forgettable game at the Alamodome when I spoke with a veteran writer for a national publication who had already submitted his ballot after only 44 of the 50 games had been played. I asked him, and I asked myself … “What’s the rush?” I was working at
This is one of the most difficult NBA postseason awards that one can be asked to vote upon, but vote upon it I will late Wednesday night when I cast my official ballot. This poll has been running for several days in a Coach of the Year/Coaches From Hell column written by former player Danny Schayes, who played under everyone from Doug Moe to Pay Riley to Magic Johnson to Frank Layden. It is worth a read. Danny has a ton
Sheridan Hoops staff predictions, continued. In this final installment, we make our predictions for NBA champion. At the bottom of the page, you can click over to our choices for Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved Player and Executive of the Year. We also made picks for the East champ and West champ. Your comments are welcome in the comments section. NBA CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS Chris Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER Mark Heisler,
Sheridan Hoops staff predictions, continued. In this installment, we make our predictions for Western Conference champion. At the bottom of the page, you can click over to our choices for Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Sixth Man, Most Improved Player and Executive of the Year. We also made picks for the East champ and NBA champion. Your comments are welcome in the comments section. WESTERN CONFERENCE CHAMPION LOS ANGELES LAKERS Chris Sheridan, Editor-in-Chief OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER Mark