NBA Season Awards and Playoff Predictions

MVP: Lebron James

Kobe won both head-to-head matchups, but the media has made this a foregone conclusion. To be fair to Lebron though, he's had the best overall season in terms of stats since perhaps Jordan's 32/8/8 season (1989).

Rookie: Derrick Rose.

Westbrook isn't shooting so well and Mayo's numbers have dropped. Rose's team is the only one that a top performing rookie plays for that is also likely playoff bound too.

Defensive: Dwight Howard

Sixth: Jason Terry

Maybe not because he's had to start in wake so many injuries on the Mavs.

Coach: Stan Van Gundy

Executive: Danny Ferry or Otis Smith.

I say Smith because he traded for Alston after Nelson got hurt, which has kept the Magic competitive in the playoff race.


All-NBA First Team:

Paul
Kobe
Lebron
Duncan
Howard

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The playoff standings will likely change, but for the most part they won't.


West

First Round:

Lakers 4-1 over Mavs
Spurs 4-2 over Hornets (or Jazz)
Jazz 4-2 over Nuggets
Blazers 4-2 over Rockets

Second Round:

Lakers 4-2 over Jazz
Spurs 4-2 over Blazers

Conference Finals:

Lakers 4-2 over Spurs

East

First Round:

Cavs 4-1 over Pistons
Magic 4-1 over Bulls
Celts 4-2 over Sixers
Hawks 4-2 over Heat

Second Round:

Cavs 4-2 over Hawks
Celts 4-2 over Magic

Conference Finals:

Cavs 4-2 over Celts


NBA Finals:

Lakers 4-2 over Cavs.

This year East has more elite teams with 55+ wins than the West, but the West remains the superior conference. Two teams in the East may go to the playoffs with sub-.500 records, whereas the Suns may not with a 40-32 record.