Preseason NBA Award Predictions

The NBA season starts tonight with a doubleheader on TNT! After finishing our divisional previews, we're going to cap it all off with our award predictions.

Coach of the Year

Charlie’s pick: Rick Adelman, Houston Rockets.

Don’t be surprised to see the Rockets sitting near or at the top of the standings come April, with Adelman receiving a lot of the credit.

The Scrapper’s pick: Scott Skiles, Chicago Bulls

The Baby Bulls are growing up. After the Bulls put together the best regular season record in the East and come within a game of the NBA Finals, Skiles unanimously walks away with Coach of the Year Honors.


Most Valuable Player

Charlie’s pick: Yao Ming, Houston Rockets

Yao is going to take the NBA by storm this year. He was exceptional last year and he will be completely indefensible this season.


The Scrapper’s pick: Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Lebron has improved steadily in each of his first few seasons and I look for the trend to continue this year. If Lebron's jump shot is anywhere close to as good as it was this summer in international play, look out for him to average over 30 points a game and continue to fill up the rest of the stat sheet.

Rookie of the Year

Charlie’s pick: Al Thornton, Los Angeles Clippers

While he won’t get as many touches as Durant, he also has less growing to do. He’s NBA ready and his numbers will reflect that.

The Scrapper’s pick: Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics

Instantly the go to guy on a young Supersonics team, Durant will average over 20 a game and run away with Rookie of the Year Honors. Not that it will really matter for the voting, but I'm a little scared for him on defense having to match up against other shooting guards.


Defensive Player of the Year

Charlie’s pick: Shawn Marion, Phoenix Suns.

This is the year that Marion gets the credit he’s due on the defensive end. He has always been an underappreciated defender, and extra campaigning this year will help him garner attention.

The Scrapper’s pick: Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats

Okafor is a shot blocking machine. If he can stay healthy, he will put up some impressive defensive stats.

Sixth Man Award

Charlie’s pick: Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix Suns.

Barbosa is too good not to win this award again.

The Scrapper’s pick: Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs have found their niche with Ginobili as the first man off the bench. Ginobili provides a tremendous spark off the bench and after a full season as sixth man, people will be wondering if Ginobili is the best ever. Leandro Barbosa and David Lee could also win this.


Most Improved Player

Charlie’s pick: J.J. Redick.

With a more dynamic offense under Stan Van Gundy, and even more improvement from Dwight Howard, Redick will be getting a lot of open looks this year. He had a terrific summer league and seems to have adjusted to the NBA defensive pace.

The Scrapper’s pick: LaMarcus Aldridge

With Zach Randolph a Knick and Greg Oden out for the season, Aldridge will be getting a ton of touches in the post. Look out for him to build on a solid rookie campaign with a breakout sophmore season. Watch out for Ronnie Brewer to finish a close second.


Western Conference Champion

Charlie’s pick: Spurs over Rockets.

The Spurs have a few more years of Duncan in his prime, and they will take advantage. Their balanced attack and team defense will be too much for the Rockets to overcome.

The Scrapper’s pick: Spurs over Suns

Charlie's take on the Spurs was dead on. They are just too good right now. The Suns will regret not resigning Kurt Thomas when Amare Stoudemire gets in foul trouble trying to guard Duncan.

Eastern Conference Champion

Charlie’s pick: Heat over Celtics.

I’m sorry Scrapper Nation, I refuse to jinx my own team by not picking them here. I don’t think it’s too wild a stretch of the imagination either. Fully healthy, the Heat are loaded enough with playoff veterans to come out of the East.

The Scrapper’s pick: Celtics over Bulls

The Bulls build on last year's first round sweep of the Heat with an appearance in the NBA's final four. But the Celtics prove to have just enough firepower in Garnett, Pierce, and Allen to eke out a seven game Eastern Conference Finals victory.


NBA Champion

Charlie’s pick: Spurs over Heat.

The Spurs are an absolute juggernaut and the only thing that could change this outcome would be injury.

The Scrapper’s pick: Spurs over Celtics

Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan play to a draw while Bruce Bowen shuts down Paul Pierce. In the end, Parker and Ginobili's penetration ability is too much for the Celtics to overcome.