I didn't see it posted here, if aleady posted lock it up!!! Link To Full Article On the NBA | True Value By David Aldridge Inquirer Columnist Coach of the year. My choice: Jeff Van Gundy, Houston. Considering that Yao Ming missed 33 games with a broken leg, that Tracy McGrady has his usual back issues, and that the Rockets have had to depend on the ancient Dikembe Mutombo and a kid like Chuck Hayes - not to mention having to deal with the soap opera that is Bonzi Wells - winning 50 games in the brutal West is amazing. Moreover, JVG has adapted better than ever; with no one to throw the ball in to for long stretches this season, Van Gundy has allowed his guards to fire three-pointers nearly at will (the Rockets are fifth in the league in three-point percentage) while never letting up on them on defense. And Houston, as ever, leads the league in defensive field-goal percentage and is second in fewest points allowed. Defensive player of the year. My choice: Shane Battier, Houston. He's been one of the best in the league for years, but never got any attention playing on barely there teams in Memphis. The Rockets needed someone to help Tracy McGrady guard the elite perimeter players, though, and that's why they were happy to trade Rudy Gay to the Grizzlies for Battier, who hasn't disappointed. It was Battier, along with Dikembe Mutombo, who held Houston's season together after Yao's broken leg cost him a third of the season. Nowitzki, Kobe, Shawn Marion - Battier guards 'em all. Don't like his MVP pick
wow this guy is like the only writer that i've seen pick Shane for DPOY. Is he from houston or something?
good call props to JVG and Shane for beeing picked I would somewhat agree with the Shane pick, JVG would be my second or third choice tho...we'll see how he does in playoffs....
It doesn't matter what he does in the playoffs. Coach of the Year, along with other awards, are based on season performances. The Playoffs don't play any part in the season-ending awards.
JVG has done a GREAT job this season, but there ain't no way he should get Coach of the Year over Avery Johnson. If AJ doesn't win in a landslide something is wrong.
I don't think the Mavs season is that much of a coaching accomplishment. They were the second best team in basketball at the end of last season. They haven't had any significant injuries. There are a dozen coaches or more in the league that could have accomplished their record if they had that much talent to work with.
I see... Then I would put him at the 2nd place, just because he has a team with more potential than Mitchell...
You would think that, but I think some people aren't going to vote on Nash based on the fact that he's been the MVP 2 years in a row and still hasn't made it to the finals.
That's exactly what I was about to say, Kam. ESPN chose Screaming A. over Aldridge. They chose poorly...yet again.
What is cool is that Shane will be getting votes for Defensive Player of the Year. Last year all he got was one crappy second place vote even though Memphis was one of the best defensive teams. Probably will not win, but perhaps make the top 5.
I agree with all of his choices except Sixth Man. Second/Third options shouldn't get a Sixth Man Award just because they're used in an unconventional manner. If Avery used Jason Terry off the bench for 30 minutes/game, would he deserve the 6th man?
Manu only averages 27 minutes a game. That is fourth most on the Spurs, but they give a ton of guys decent amounts of minutes. It's 5 less minutes per game than Barbosa, 3 minutes more than Stackhouse, and the same as Luther Head, the sixth man on the Rockets. I think he fits the mold.
I will say this. The DPOY should not come from a team at least not top 5 in defense. I don't think Shane will get it, but its good he's getting consideration. Assistant coach has a vote for coy. Good for him, because anything short of the WCF should send him packing, so this might help if he wins it.
First time in a while you've posted something that actually makes sense .... And then you ruined it with this.
