It's the end of the NBA season, so it's time to hand out some hardware. We're going to be presenting the SB Nation NBA Awards later this week, so stay tuned for that. In the meantime, however, let's use this space to hand out the official SB Nation NBA Power Ranking Awards for the 2009/10 season.
I wish I could hand all these guys real trophies, but we don't exactly have the budget to do that, so we're going to have to settle for paper plates. I know, I know, trophies would be cooler, but paper plates aren't bad either. I got a paper plate for some youth group thing when I was 15, and I still have it hanging in my room somewhere. Maybe that makes me a dork, but still, there's something about paper plates that make them timeless. Or maybe not. Whatever. We're still doing them, and that's final.
Without further ado:
MVP: LeBron James. As if it could be anyone else.
Non-LeBron James MVP: Dwight Howard. Before you think I'm crazy, consider that Howard just became the fifth player in NBA history to lead the league in blocks and rebounds in the same season. The other four? Bill Walton, Hakeem Olajuwon, Ben Wallace and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He's also dramatically improved his post game, to the point where even more of the offense runs through him. Finally, he's held together a Magic team that brought in tons of new pieces and is now arguably playing better than anyone in the league. Oh, I forgot, he smiles too much, so he can't be a legit MVP candidate. Oh well.
Rookie of the Year: Tyreke Evans. Stephen Curry is a distant, distant second, because it's not so hard to put up big numbers playing for Golden State. Brandon Jennings is an even more distant third, because Milwaukee often won in spite of him instead of him. James Harden would be higher if he was on another team.
Coach of the Year: Nate McMillan. Here's an incredible stat: the Blazers are 8-8 in the 16 games Brandon Roy has missed and 3-0 in games he leaves early due to injury. They've also done it without Greg Oden and Joel Przybilla for most of the year, Nicolas Batum for half of it and Rudy Fernandez for six weeks. And yet, they've won 50 games and have a winning record against Western Conference playoff teams. Scott Brooks is a close second, mostly because McMillan outcoached him badly last night.
Defensive Player of the Year: Howard, obviously. Anderson Varejao is a close second. Batum is a close third. Earl Boykins is a distant 422nd.
6th Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford, the king of four-point plays.
Most Improved Player: Kevin Durant. Much more on this later in the week.
Best offseason signing/trade: I can't believe I'm saying this, but ... Zach Randolph? Andre Miller, maybe? Crawford? For an offseason that included so much player movement, there really weren't that many moves that were slam dunks. No pun intended. I guess Randolph wins.
Worst offseason signing/trade: A four-way tie between Rasheed Wallace, Hedo Turkoglu, Charlie Villanueva and Richard Jefferson.
Commenter of the year: malik3777. You keep on keeping on, my friend.
Anyway, let's get on to the rankings, where we hand out more paper plates for each team.
30. New Jersey Nets: 12-69 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: NetsDaily
Last week: 29.
Team MVP: Brook Lopez. Plant him as your center for the next 10 years and expect 10 more seasons like this one.
Team LVP: Yi Jianlian. Not only does he stink, but he's probably five years older than his birth certificate says.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Terrence Williams. I know, I know, a lot of people were high on him when I wasn't, but damn, he really turned into something over the last part of the season.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Devin Harris. Sure, he turned it on the last part of the season, but he was positively brutal early on, when the Nets needed him most. You shouldn't see your production fall that much when Vince Carter leaves.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Paper bag-gate.
Game of the year: February 27, vs. Boston.
29. Minnesota Timberwolves: 15-66 overall, 0-4 last week.
SBN Blog: Canis Hoopus
Last week: 30.
Team MVP: Kevin Love. Now play him please!
Team LVP: Al Jefferson. I know you were coming off a pretty bad ACL injury, but could you at least try to play defense and fit into the offense in the future? Thanks. A very close runner-up is Kurt Rambis, who installed the Triangle offense even though Minnesota's personnel doesn't come close to fitting it.
Wesley Matthews award for most random positive surprise: Corey Brewer. He's not the Most Improved Player, but he is at least passable, which is a pretty big step.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Jonny Flynn. His averages look okay, but his efficiency was pretty bad, and all the other point guards from the 2009 draft are kicking butt. Nice job, David Kahn.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: When the team traded Brian Cardinal, waited 30 days after the Knicks cut him, then scooped him up for no reason in late March. Where's the outrage, NBA coaches! They shouldn't be allowed to do that!
Game of the Year: January 13, vs. Houston.
28. Washington Wizards: 25-56 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Bullets Forever
Last week: 25.
MVP: Uhh ... Andray Blatche, by default. He did improve a ton over the second half of the year, and I guess we'll credit him here for that.
LVP: On the court, Earl Boykins. Off the court, and in general, Gilbert Arenas.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Shaun Livingston. Duh.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Gilbert Arenas, of course. It's too bad, because he really was getting his game back before, you know, the "incident," as the Wizards announcers keep calling it.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Andray Blatche's desperate quest to get his triple double.
Game of the Year: November 18, vs. Cleveland. You know, back when they were actually rivals.
27. Golden State Warriors: 25-55 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Golden State of Mind
Last week: 28.
MVP: Stephen Curry ... even though I ragged on him above.
Team LVP: Here's a curveball - Andris Biedrins. Hit your free throws, son!
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: How about Reggie Williams? I know that D-League guys can play when given the chance, but not that well.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Biedrins, again. It didn't take long for him to go from underrated to painfully, painfully overrated.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: When the Warriors cut Speedy Claxton and his expiring contract right before the trade deadline ... to make room for Anthony Tolliver.
Game of the year: February 21, vs. Atlanta.
26. Sacramento Kings: 25-56 overall, 1-2 last week
SBN Blog: Sactown Royalty
Last week: 26.
MVP: Tyreke Evans. I feel like people don't really grasp how incredible Tyreke was this year. Sure, he padded his stats a bit in the last game, but he also dropped 20-5-5 at age 20. And there are people saying he shouldn't win Rookie of the Year because he team isn't good? Give me a break.
LVP: Andres Nocioni. I really don't like him.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Beno Udrih rediscovering his game playing alongside Evans.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: I expected a lot more out of Jason Thompson in his second year. He wasn't bad, but he didn't really get any better, and that's a problem.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: $1 beer night.
Game of the Year: December 19, vs. Milwaukee. Tyreke Evans hits a crazy buzzer beater and officially takes the lead on Brandon Jennings in the Rookie of the Year race.
25. Detroit Pistons: 26-55 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Detroit Bad Boys.
Last week: 27.
MVP: Uhh ... uhh ... Rodney Stuckey? Rip Hamilton?
LVP: I know he got hurt, but can this really go to anyone other than Ben Gordon? I guess Charlie Villanueva qualifies too. Enjoy your 2009 summer investments, Pistons fans!
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Ben Wallace, for having something left in the tank and putting together a really solid season. Where did that come from? Jonas Jerebko is a close second.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: I'm going to go with John Kuester. I figured he'd be exactly what the Pistons needed, considering the great job he did with the Cavaliers' offense in 2008/09. Instead, he didn't get anything out of a Pistons team that at least had some talent.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Charlie Villanueva guaranteeing, via Twitter, that the Pistons would beat the Raptors last night. They lost by 14 and it wasn't really that close.
Game of the Year: December 10, vs. Denver. Slim pickings here.
24. Philadelphia 76ers: 27-54 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Liberty Ballers
Last week: 24.
MVP: Andre Iguodala, by default.
LVP: Eddie Jordan. And yes, I know he doesn't play.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Jrue Holiday. I didn't expect him to be this solid this early in his career.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Thaddeus Young's lack of development. Coming into the year, he was emerging as one of the best young wings in basketball, and in theory, he was a perfect fit to be the stretch four in a Princeton offense. Instead, he looked lost most of the year and didn't get any better. I blame Eddie Jordan.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Management and Eddie Jordan fighting over how many minutes Jodie Meeks should play. Jodie Meeks!
Game of the Year: December 7, vs. Denver, aka Allen Iverson's return.
23. Los Angeles Clippers: 28-53 overall, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Clips Nation.
Last week: 23.
MVP: Chris Kaman.
LVP: Ricky Davis. Yes, he's still in the league.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Kaman rediscovering his game, even if he didn't deserve to be an all-star.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Lots to choose from, but I'm going to go with Eric Gordon. He was supposed to surge this year, now that the Clippers actually had a better team on paper. Instead, he regressed, and you have to wonder whether he'll develop as expected.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: When a water main collapsed during a Clippers-Grizzlies game, causing an evacuation of the stadium. The Clippers were winning by double digits at the time; they eventually lost. From that point on, the Clippers were 11-35. I believe in curses. Henry Abbott does not.
Game of the Year: December 27, vs. Boston, back when we thought there was hope for this Clippers team.
22. New York Knicks: 28-49 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Posting and Toasting
Last week: 23.
MVP: Free agent to be David Lee.
LVP: Free agent to be Tracy McGrady. No, nobody wants you, dude.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Free agent to be Toney Douglas. Oh wait, he's actually under contract!
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Free agent to be Chris Duhon.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Knicks players actually admitting they lost a game in part because they were haunted by ghosts at the hotel they were staying at.
Game of the Year: March 8, vs. Atlanta. In fact, both games against Atlanta.
21. New Orleans Hornets: 36-45 overall, 1-2 last week.
SBN Blog: At the Hive
Last week: 21.
MVP: David West. Chris Paul missed too many games.
LVP: James Posey. Remember, two years ago, when Posey was actually good? Now, he drags his legs up the court, clanking threes, not playing defense and generally looking 30 years older than he actually is.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Marcus Thornton. He's probably the winner for the entire league. I really should rename this award. Whatever, too late.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Emeka Okafor. His numbers were fine, but he was a net negative. He showed up to camp milking a minor injury, then played disinterested defense all season, preferring to block shots instead of, you know, move his feet. Oh, and he has five years left on his contract. Try to enjoy him, Hornets fans, because he'll be there a while.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: I still think this wins.
Game of the Year: January 20, vs. Memphis. Here's to James Posey buzzer beaters!
20. Indiana Pacers: 32-49 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: Indy Cornrows
Last week: 20.
MVP: Danny Granger.
LVP: T.J. Ford. In case it wasn't clear from previous Power Rankings, I hate T.J. Ford.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: A.J. Price. Now play him, Jim O'Brien!
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Dahntay Jones. Why keep Jarrett Jack when you could just give his money to Jones?
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Jim O'Brien saying Josh McRoberts' play in keeping the Pacers close in a game against the Lakers was "irrelevant" because it didn't come in a winning effort. Normally, I'd feel bad for McRoberts, but he went to Duke, so I just find this funny.
Game of the Year: December 12, vs. Washington. Check out this finish.
19. Toronto Raptors: 39-42, 1-3 last week.
SBN Blog: Raptors HQ
Last week: 18.
MVP: Chris Bosh, even if he kind of shut it down after the all-star break.
LVP: Hedo Turkoglu.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: A tie between Sonny Weems and Amir Johnson. Neither guy has been great, but both guys have been way better than expected. It's too bad most of the rest of the team was so disappointing.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: A three-way tie between Turkoglu, Andrea Bargnani and Jose Calderon, or, as they're otherwise known, the second-, third- and fourth-highest paid guys on the team.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Ball.
Game of the Year: January 24, vs. the Lakers, back when the Raptors were actually good. March 17 vs. Atlanta is a close runner up.
18. Chicago Bulls: 39-41 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Blog A Bull
Last week: 19.
MVP: Derrick Rose. Who else?
LVP: Jannero Pargo, because he is quite possibly the worst player in the NBA and is still making $2 million.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Taj Gibson.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: I know he's not on the team anymore, but John Salmons' performance in the first four months of the season was pretty disgraceful. He might be the strangest player in the NBA. He's either great or horrifically bad.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Vinny Del Negro getting fired, and then not actually getting fired. Bulls management, at it's finest!
Game of the Year: November 5, vs. Cleveland.
17. Memphis Grizzlies: 40-41 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: Straight Outta Vancouver
Last week: 17.
MVP: Zach Randolph, with Marc Gasol a close second.
LVP: Hasheem Thabeet.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Randolph actually emerging as a leader of sorts. A close second is how the Grizzlies announcers always talk about how he's one of the best leaders in the game. That always makes me laugh, even if there's some truth to it.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Thabeet, and even he picked it up a bit at the end of the year.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Lionel Hollins with the sweet deflection.
Game of the Year: January 22 vs. Thunder. A great game between two up and coming teams. One of the games of the year.
16. Houston Rockets: 42-39 overall, 3-1 last week
SBN Blog: The Dream Shake
Last week: 16.
MVP: Luis Scola. Sorry Aaron Brooks, thanks for trying.
LVP: Brian Cook. Yes, I know, he's not on the team anymore, but he's terrible.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: God, too many to count. Chase Budinger, Jordan Hill and Chuck Hayes holding his own at center are my top three.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Trevor Ariza. Hey Trevor, here's your chance to be a featured option. You failed. Enjoy going back to being a role player next year.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Shane Battier singing karaoke.
Game of the Year: December 18, vs. Dallas, featuring Carl Landry losing teeth, Dirk Nowitzki needing stitches, technical fouls and Aaron Brooks taking over. A weird game indeed.
15. Charlotte Bobcats: 44-37 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Rufus on Fire
Last week: 14.
MVP: Gerald Wallace, even though he tailed off a bit in the second half.
LVP: Larry Hughes.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Two centers - Nazr Mohammad and Theo Ratliff. Mohammed for being productive early, Ratliff for standing in later in the season.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: D.J. Augustin. It'll really stink if the Bobcats have to turn the point guard position over to him next year. He really regressed.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Rufus on Fire's Gerald Wallace song. It's hilarious and good.
Game of the Year: Any of their three wins over Cleveland this year. Seriously, pick one. They're all equally awesome to me.
14. Milwaukee Bucks: 45-36 overall, 2-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Brew Hoop
Last week: 15.
MVP: Andrew Bogut. Get well soon, big guy.
LVP: Dan Gadzuric, just because.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Of all the ones to list, I'm going to go with Carlos Delfino. Here's a guy who got run out of the league after stinking it up for the Pistons. He goes abroad, and the Bucks randomly give him a chance, trading away promising Amir Johnson to do it. Delfino then proceeds to emerge as a do-everything swingman and a perfect compliment to Bogut, John Salmons and Brandon Jennings.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Jerry Stackhouse, just because he didn't punch a teammate. Damn you, Jerry!
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Brandon Jennings getting into a Twitter feud with someone impersonating Jordan Farmar. Who pretends to be Jordan Farmar? Honestly?
Game of the Year: March 22, vs. Atlanta. I was really looking forward to this first-round playoff series after this game. Alas, Bogut got hurt and my hopes were dashed. Sad.
13. Miami Heat: 46-35 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Peninsula is Mightier
Last week: 13.
MVP: Impending free agent Dwyane Wade.
LVP: Daequan Cook, who the Heat wish was an impending free agent.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Impending free agent Jermaine O'Neal having a renaissance season. I never saw that one coming.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: A tie between Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers, both of whom the Heat probably wish were impending free agents.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Impending free agent Dwyane Wade blowing off a Mafia boss' grandson.
Game of the Year: March 4, vs. LA Lakers.
12. Oklahoma City Thunder: 49-32 overall, 1-3 last week
SBN Blog: Welcome To Loud City
Last week: 7.
MVP: Duh-duh-duh-duh-Durant.
LVP: Etan Thomas, just because I really don't like him.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Serge Ibaka. He needs a nickname, folks!
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Durant, for not being able to climb Mount Everest. He can do everything else, so why can't he do that?
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Say Aaaaaaahhh!
Game of the Year: Way, way too many to count, so I'll just go with January 18 vs. Atlanta, because of this play. Rarely will you see a team's opposing announcers go crazy like this.
11. Boston Celtics: 50-30 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Celtics Blog.
Last week: 11.
MVP: Rajon Rondo. Where would these guys be without him?
LVP: Rasheed Wallace. I could sum up my argument in 3,000 words, or I could do it in three words: he was awful.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Shelden Williams. He never plays, so that should tell you something.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Glen "I do not want to be called Big Baby even though I act like one" Davis. Way to follow up your big playoff performance last year with a stinker of a season, dude.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Speaking of Glen Davis ... way to cuss out this Detroit Piston fan. What intensity!
Game of the Year: Opening night against the Cavaliers. It was all downhill from there. (I'm oversimplifying, Celtics fans. Relax).
10. San Antonio Spurs: 50-31 overall, 2-2 last week
SBN Blog: Pounding the Rock.
Last week: 8.
MVP: Timmaaay!
LVP: Richard Jefferson, even though he is starting to come around now.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: A tie between George Hill and DeJuan Blair.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Jefferson, duh.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: I'm convinced that Manu Ginobili struggled for so long because he was still feeling the effects of this.
Game of the Year: March 22 vs. Oklahoma City. It was a subtle reminder that the Spurs are still the Spurs, and they don't mess up at the end of games.
9. Portland Trail Blazers: 50-31 overall, 2-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Blazers Edge
Last week: 10.
MVP: So many heroes for this year's team, but I'll give it to LaMarcus Aldridge for stepping his game up subtly without Brandon Roy.
LVP: Uhh ... nobody?
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Juwan Howard, for still actually having something left in the tank.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: I expected more out of Rudy Fernandez than we got this year. That's about all I can nitpick at.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: I won't link to them, but you have to admit, the idea of Greg Oden giving a terse press conference over some naked pictures surfacing on the Internet is kind of funny, on some level.
Game of the Year: Last night vs. Oklahoma City. Just a remarkable atmosphere. MARCUS CAMBY!
8. Phoenix Suns: 52-28 overall, 2-1 last week
SBN Blog: Bright Side of the Sun.
Last week: 5.
MVP: Steve Nash or Amare Stoudemire? Steve Nash or Amare Stoudemire? Uhh ... I'll just pull a Michael Wilbon and call it a tie.
LVP: Earl Clark. I gotta name somebody.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Robin Lopez becoming arguably the key to Phoenix's hopes in the playoffs. He better get healthy if they want to go anywhere.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: I expected more out of Leandro Barbosa. Otherwise, I can't find anyone.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Steve Nash did too many funny things for me to pick, so I'll just say all of them. He's the man.
Game of the Year: February 23 vs. Oklahoma City, thanks to Jason Richardson.
7. Atlanta Hawks: 52-29 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Peachtree Hoops.
Last week: 10.
MVP: Let's ruffle a few feathers, shall we? Alright. The MVP of the 2009/10 Atlanta Hawks is Josh Smith. Now flame away.
LVP: Mario West, just because.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: I expected Jamal Crawford to help the Hawks, but I didn't expect he'd be this good. Perfect team, perfect situation. Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Zaza Pachulia got paid and proceeded to stink it up this year. At least he's still a great dude.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Speaking of Zaza, he's the man for doing this.
Game of the Year: March 24, vs. Orlando, simply because of this finish.
6. Dallas Mavericks: 54-27 overall, 4-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Mavs Moneyball.
Last week: 9.
MVP: Dirk, for the 45093459th consecutive year.
LVP: DeShawn Stevenson, defensive stopper, not stupid, according to him.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: A tie between Jason Kidd discovering the fountain of youth and Rodrigue Beaubois being awesome.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: He's not on the team anymore, but Josh Howard is a clear winner.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Speaking of Howard, I love how the Mavericks decided to send him off by floating a rumor about him missing a game for partying too much. Now THAT'S how you kick a man while he's down!
Game of the Year: The Mavs played so many tight games, but none really stand out to me, so we'll just go with January 15 vs. Oklahoma City.
5. Utah Jazz: 52-28 overall, 1-1 last week.
SBN Blog: SLC Dunk
Last week: 5.
MVP: Deron Williams.
LVP: Kyrylo Fesenko. That's all I got.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Well, this award was named after Wesley Matthews...
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: This isn't a single player, so I'll just say this: imagine how good these guys would have been with Ronnie Brewer and Eric Maynor? It's too bad management needed to make those cost-cutting moves in the midst of a great season.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Deron Williams doing the chicken dance.
Game of the Year: April 6 vs. Oklahoma City. Right up there with Denver-Cleveland in the Game of the Year race.
4. Denver Nuggets: 53-28 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Denver Stiffs.
Last week: 6.
MVP: Carmelo Anthony.
LVP: Anthony Carter. Veteran leadership means nothing when you can't play at all.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: Ty Lawson. I expected him to be good, but not this good.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: J.R. Smith. Last year at this time, it looked like he was turning a corner. This year ... not so much.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: A tie between Kenyon Martin's locker room tirade over a failed prank and J.R. Smith trying to score on three defenders while Carmelo Anthony lay crumpled on the floor.
Game of the Year: February 18 vs. Cleveland. One of the top contenders for game of the year. Here's how it ended.
3. Los Angeles Lakers: 56-24 overall, 1-2 last week.
SBN Blog: Silver Screen and Roll
Last week: 3.
MVP: Kobe Bryant. Duh.
LVP: Sasha Vujacic. God he's awful.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: After a terrible year last year, Jordan Farmar really turned things around this season.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: The fact that this team, with all these offensive weapons, isn't in the top 10 in the NBA in offensive efficiency.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Phil Jackson forcing Sasha Vujacic to buy assistant coach Brian Shaw dinner because he talked back to him. When Vujacic didn't, Jackson didn't play him. Phil Jackson is the man.
Game of the Year: December 4 vs. Miami, because of this shot.
2. Orlando Magic: 58-23 overall, 4-0 last week.
SBN Blog: Orlando Pinstriped Post.
Last week: 2.
MVP: Dwight Howard, for all the reasons stated at the top.
LVP: Brandon Bass. He's played better recently, but in general, what a disappointment.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: A three-way tie between Matt Barnes, Ryan Anderson and White Chocolate, with J.J. Redick's improvement a close fourth.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Bass. There's four million dollars down the drain.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: Matt Barnes trying to make Kobe Bryant flinch. It failed, but it was a valiant attempt.
Game of the Year: March 7 vs. LA Lakers.
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: 61-17 overall, 3-1 last week.
SBN Blog: Fear the Sword
Last week: 1.
MVP: Jawad Will ... JUST KIDDING! LeBron.
LVP: Sebastian Telfair.
Wesley Matthews Award for most random positive surprise: J.J. Hickson's emergence. Way to demand his inclusion in the Antawn Jamison trade, Ernie Grunfeld.
Gilbert Arenas award for biggest disappointment: Daniel Gibson, because I can't think of anyone else.
Ricky Davis award for most hilarious moment of the season: LeBron James rapping during one of the most important possessions of the season.
Game of the Year: They had a lot of ho-hum wins, so I'll go with December 30 vs. Atlanta, even if it included this fluke shot.