Kori Ellis
02-06-2005, 07:34 AM
Duncan is front-runner for another MVP
Sunday, February 06, 2005
JIM BESEDA
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1107608312300721.xml
Tim Duncan already has won two NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and based on what he did through the first half of this season, he could win a third.
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, the reigning MVP, deserves consideration again, as do Phoenix's Steve Nash, Miami's Shaquille O'Neal and Cleveland's LeBron James.
But if the vote were to be taken tomorrow, Duncan would be the favorite. He's the best player on the team with the league's best record, and he best fits the criteria for what a MVP should be -- a player who gets the job done at both ends of the court, plays hard every game and makes the players around him better.
"For us, Tim is the most important piece of our puzzle," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "I think to some degree because of his demeanor, he's always going to be a little like David Robinson, where he's going just be taken for granted to a degree because he doesn't invite praise or notoriety.
"He just sort of does everything under the radar. Even as coaches, we say, 'Gosh, we needed this or that,' and then we look at the stats and he's got 24 points, 14 rebounds and a couple of blocks, and you laugh because you don't even realize it yourself. He does it so unassumingly."
Duncan's scoring (21.4 points a game) and rebounding (11.9) are down compared to his previous MVP seasons, but he's also playing fewer minutes -- something Popovich planned in consideration of Duncan's participation in the Olympics last summer. Still, Duncan is one of three players -- Garnett and O'Neal are the others -- averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
"He's playing great," Popovich said. "I've heard how some people say his numbers of down. It sort of makes me giggle. If you play fewer minutes, your numbers go down. It's pretty simple. But he's doing the same things for us that he's always done."
Voting isn't until late March, and the awards aren't handed out until April. But here are the leaders in the early returns:
Rookie of the year: Emeka Okafor, Charlotte. He started the first 41 games for the expansion Bobcats and led all first-year players in scoring (14.9) and rebounding (11.1) before going on the injured list last Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. In the hunt: Orlando's Dwight Howard, Chicago's Ben Gordon. Darkhorse: Chicago's Luol Deng.
Coach of the year: Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix. The Suns have been running nonstop since the opening tip and are on pace to win 60 games after winning 29 last season. In the hunt: San Antonio's Popovich, Seattle's Nate McMillan. Darkhorse: Washington's Eddie Jordan.
Sixth man of the year: Antonio Daniels, Seattle. Where would the SuperSonics be without Daniels' versatility off the bench? He can play either guard position, which is vital on nights Luke Ridnour isn't getting it done or Rashard Lewis gets into foul trouble. In the hunt: Seattle's Danny Fortston, Denver's Earl Boykins. Darkhorse: Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse.
Most improved player: Bobby Simmons, Los Angeles Clippers. In his fourth season, the 6-foot-7 guard/forward is averaging 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in his first full season as a starter. In the hunt: Philadelphia's Kyle Korver, New Orleans' Lee Nailon. Darkhorse: Indiana's Fred Jones.
Executive of the year: Pat Riley, Miami. He traded for Shaquille O'Neal without having to let go of his team's best young player -- Dwyane Wade -- and added serviceable veterans Shandon Anderson, Damon Jones and Michael Doleac without breaking the bank. In the hunt: Phoenix's Bryan Colangelo, Chicago's John Paxson. Darkhorse: Dallas' Don Nelson.
Sunday, February 06, 2005
JIM BESEDA
http://www.oregonlive.com/sports/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/sports/1107608312300721.xml
Tim Duncan already has won two NBA Most Valuable Player awards, and based on what he did through the first half of this season, he could win a third.
Minnesota's Kevin Garnett, the reigning MVP, deserves consideration again, as do Phoenix's Steve Nash, Miami's Shaquille O'Neal and Cleveland's LeBron James.
But if the vote were to be taken tomorrow, Duncan would be the favorite. He's the best player on the team with the league's best record, and he best fits the criteria for what a MVP should be -- a player who gets the job done at both ends of the court, plays hard every game and makes the players around him better.
"For us, Tim is the most important piece of our puzzle," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "I think to some degree because of his demeanor, he's always going to be a little like David Robinson, where he's going just be taken for granted to a degree because he doesn't invite praise or notoriety.
"He just sort of does everything under the radar. Even as coaches, we say, 'Gosh, we needed this or that,' and then we look at the stats and he's got 24 points, 14 rebounds and a couple of blocks, and you laugh because you don't even realize it yourself. He does it so unassumingly."
Duncan's scoring (21.4 points a game) and rebounding (11.9) are down compared to his previous MVP seasons, but he's also playing fewer minutes -- something Popovich planned in consideration of Duncan's participation in the Olympics last summer. Still, Duncan is one of three players -- Garnett and O'Neal are the others -- averaging at least 20 points and 10 rebounds.
"He's playing great," Popovich said. "I've heard how some people say his numbers of down. It sort of makes me giggle. If you play fewer minutes, your numbers go down. It's pretty simple. But he's doing the same things for us that he's always done."
Voting isn't until late March, and the awards aren't handed out until April. But here are the leaders in the early returns:
Rookie of the year: Emeka Okafor, Charlotte. He started the first 41 games for the expansion Bobcats and led all first-year players in scoring (14.9) and rebounding (11.1) before going on the injured list last Tuesday with a sprained left ankle. In the hunt: Orlando's Dwight Howard, Chicago's Ben Gordon. Darkhorse: Chicago's Luol Deng.
Coach of the year: Mike D'Antoni, Phoenix. The Suns have been running nonstop since the opening tip and are on pace to win 60 games after winning 29 last season. In the hunt: San Antonio's Popovich, Seattle's Nate McMillan. Darkhorse: Washington's Eddie Jordan.
Sixth man of the year: Antonio Daniels, Seattle. Where would the SuperSonics be without Daniels' versatility off the bench? He can play either guard position, which is vital on nights Luke Ridnour isn't getting it done or Rashard Lewis gets into foul trouble. In the hunt: Seattle's Danny Fortston, Denver's Earl Boykins. Darkhorse: Dallas' Jerry Stackhouse.
Most improved player: Bobby Simmons, Los Angeles Clippers. In his fourth season, the 6-foot-7 guard/forward is averaging 15.9 points and 6.6 rebounds in his first full season as a starter. In the hunt: Philadelphia's Kyle Korver, New Orleans' Lee Nailon. Darkhorse: Indiana's Fred Jones.
Executive of the year: Pat Riley, Miami. He traded for Shaquille O'Neal without having to let go of his team's best young player -- Dwyane Wade -- and added serviceable veterans Shandon Anderson, Damon Jones and Michael Doleac without breaking the bank. In the hunt: Phoenix's Bryan Colangelo, Chicago's John Paxson. Darkhorse: Dallas' Don Nelson.