Sporting News' 2008 NBA awards

[ImmortalD24]

http://www.sportingnews.com/yourturn/viewtopic.php?t=417080

Sporting News' 2008 NBA awards
Posted: May 28, 2008
Text by Stan McNeal

Player of the year: Kobe Bryant, Lakers


Media members voting for the league's MVP award weren't the only ones impressed by a kinder, more trusting Bryant. So were the majority of the 26 league execs who turned in their ballot for Sporting News' awards (we had four slackers). Bryant, 29, received 14 votes, double the total received by Hornets point guard Chris Paul. Though a newfound trust in his teammates has been cited as a key to Bryant's big season, his averages were worthy as well: 28.3 points, 6.3 rebounds and 5.4 assists.

Numbers game: Bryant's 53-point game against the Grizzlies was the league's best this season but equaled just the eighth-highest scoring performance of his career.

Rave review: "He's the best player in our league today. He's been the best player in our league for four or five years. So well-respected. What he did for that team and what he's continued to do throughout the playoffs ... he is the MVP in this league." --Cavaliers forward LeBron James

Coach of the year: Byron Scott, Hornets

The obvious reason Scott is taking home his first coach of the year award is his team's 56-26 regular-season record, which was good for the No. 2 seed in the tough Western Conference and far exceeded preseason expectations that didn't even have the Hornets making the playoffs. What's not as obvious -- except to those close to the Hornets -- is Scott's ability to communicate with his players. Under Scott's guidance, Chris Paul has emerged as one of the game's top five players and Tyson Chandler has developed into one of the league's best defense-minded centers. "In my mind, I have a special relationship with every player on this team," Scott says. "I get along with all of these guys, but they understand that when the game starts, or when practice starts, 'He's coach.' " In voting by 24 head coaches, Scott got 10 votes to six for runner-up Doc Rivers of the Celtics.

Numbers game: Scott's teams have won four division titles in his eight seasons as a head coach.

Rave review: "Byron has done the best job of keeping his team the most consistent in a very tough Western Conference. He is most deserving." --Heat president Pat Riley

Executive of the year: Danny Ainge, Celtics

When the Celtics finished with the league's second-worst record last season, then slid to fifth in the draft lottery, Ainge did not panic. First, the Celtics general manager packaged the No. 5 pick into a deal for Ray Allen. That, in turn, led to the acquisition of Kevin Garnett in an unprecedented 7-for-1 trade. Presto--the Celtics went from worst to first in the East. Ainge also brought in key supporting players such as James Posey and Eddie House to give the team a proven bench. When Ainge saw a need for more depth late in the season, he coaxed P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell into signing. Ainge--the first Celtic to win the award since Red Auerbach in 1979-80--received 18 of the 47 votes cast by league executives to edge Lakers general manager Mitch Kupchak (14 votes) and Hornets G.M. Jeff Bower (12).

Numbers game: The Celtics' 42-game improvement was the biggest turnaround in league history.

Rave review: "He orchestrated a stunning and record-setting turnaround of a struggling team with two great trades and various other roster acquisitions." --Raptors president Brian Colangelo

Rookie of the year: Kevin Durant, Sonics

Expecting a just-turned 19-year-old to become the franchise cornerstone before he has played a single NBA game is asking a lot. But Durant answered the challenge and then some. He became the first rookie in five seasons to average more than 20 points, and he led his team in scoring, minutes, steals and blocked shots. In the last two weeks of the season, he hit last-minute shots to help the Sonics to victories over two Western Conference playoff contenders. Durant garnered 20 of 26 votes to beat Hawks big man Al Horford (four) and become the first Sonics player to win the award.

Numbers game: What rookie wall? Durant improved as the season went on, enjoying his two best months in March and April, when he averaged 22.6 points on 50.0 percent shooting.

Rave review: "If he did anything wrong, at times he made it look too easy." --Sonics coach P.J. Carlesimo

SN's All-NBA team
F: Kevin Garnett, Celtics
F: LeBron James, Cavaliers
C: Tim Duncan, Spurs
G: Kobe Bryant, Lakers
G: Chris Paul, Hornets

[Cevap]

what is this? the 60's? No one cares about Sporting News anymore

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

Well, sporting news gave there MVP to kobe. Guess its really cements it now.

[edfmx86]

hmm, looks like they cheated and put down the actual winners, maybe releasing this sometime during the first round it would mean something.

[INKtastic]

what is this? the 60's? No one cares about Sporting News anymore

I believe coaches and GMs vote for the sporting news awards.