Content provided in partnership with

Postseason awards—in the preseason

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

In 2002, Amare Stoudemire made his NBA preseason debut with an emphatic showing, scoring 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Last year, LeBron James did likewise, scoring eight points with seven assists in his first NBA action. Those performances foreshadowed good things--each wound up winning the Rookie of the Year award.

Perhaps that's bad news for Bulls guard Ben Gordon, one of this year's Rookie of the Year favorites, who opened the preseason by shooting 0-for-2 and making six turnovers. It could be great news for Magic No. 1 pick Dwight Howard, who opened with 18 points and nine rebounds.

It's never easy to handicap the postseason awards in the preseason, but it's worth a shot.

Most Popular Articles in Sports: The first family: Archie, Peyton and Eli are incredibly famous, immensely ...; The growing gap: driving distances are skyrocketing on the PGA Tour. So why ...; Which pistol caliber for self defense? Four different people come to four ...; Drag racing - National Hot Rod Association; The world's most popular .22: the Marlin Model 60 just keeps on ticking; More »

Rookie of the Year

The pick: Emeka Okafor, Bobcats. He will be the focus of the team and will pile up blocks and rebounds.

Others: If Gordon is the scorer the Bulls think he is, he could run away with the award. If Howard can hold up under the NBA grind out of high school, he will have the numbers to win.

Sleeper: Andres Nocioni, Bulls.

MVP

The pick: Kevin Garnett, Timberwolves. This is a must-win season for Minnesota, and Garnett should be focused.

Others: The Spurs' Tim Duncan always is a candidate. If Miami wins 50 games, Shaquille O'Neal will be in the race--and the same could hold true for Kobe Bryant in L.A.

Sleeper: Andrei Krilenko, Jazz.

Coach of the Year

The pick: Jerry Sloan, Jazz. No offense, Hubie Brown, but Sloan should have won this award last season.

Others: If Jim O'Brien turns around the 76ers, he might be the choice. Two coaches of talented teams--Flip Saunders (Timberwolves) and Gregg Popovich (Spurs)--will deserve recognition as well.

Sleeper: Eddie Jordan, Wizards.

Most Improved Player

The pick: Joe Johnson, Suns. He was outstanding after the Suns traded Penny Hardaway in January. He'll do even better in a full Penny-free season.

Others: The Warriors' Troy Murphy should bounce back from a foot injury. Gerald Wallace will get shots in Charlotte. And look for Mike Sweetney to get more minutes with the Knicks.

Sleeper: Samuel Dalembert, 76ers.

Defensive Player of the Year

The pick: Bruce Bowen, Spurs. The Spurs made enough of a stink about the Pacers' Ron Artest beating Bowen last year that Bowen will get more attention this season.

Others: Artest and Detroit's Ben Wallace always are big factors. Kirilenko should get votes, too.

Sleeper: Theo Ratliff, Blazers.

Postseason awards—in the preseason

Sporting News, The, Oct 25, 2004

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Autos

Most Popular Articles in Sports

Most Popular Publications in Sports