NBA 2013 Season Awards Race

[d11king]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwharton

As for Beal, I don't know about that. It took him a while to get used to the NBA. Wall definitely helped but he was definitely playing tentative and getting used to the speed... he would've started off slow anyway. It kind of reminds me of RG3 and Russell Wilson. Beal (Wilson) has been playing great recently, but Lillard (RG3) has been doing it all season.

Do you think Lillard would be this good had he left college after a season?

[wwharton]

Quote: Originally Posted by d11king

Do you think Lillard would be this good had he left college after a season?

It's hard to say, but to answer the bigger question I do think staying 3 or 4 years in college makes a difference... for anyone. Even Lebron would've been more NBA ready had he took 3 or 4 years of college ball. But, of course, he was pretty NBA ready as is anyway.

I also think it's harder for PGs to skip on the college basketball experience. Taller/bigger players can lean on their athleticism more while learning the NBA. Ellis gets a lot of flack but I give him props for what he's been able to do in the league, considering.

[ojandpizza]

Lots of great responses in this thread.

But I'm VERY surprised there hasn't been more votes for Jrue to win most improved player. He jumped from basically 13 and 5, to 19 and 9... Which doesn't sound like a huge jump but he's the only player who I can think of who went from "role player" to not only the teams number 1 option but also to an All-Star...

Another one is Tristan Thompson.. While his season stats aren't mind blowing the guy has been absolute STUD since Varejao went down. I wish I knew what his numbers were since the injury... If I had to guess I'd say somewhere around 13 and 11 which is a nice jump from 8 and 6... But more importantly he's also increased his assists, steals, blocks, FG% and FT%.. He looks like a completely different guy right now.. I'm sure there are a few Cavs fans around here who could tell you even more than I can.

[Checmate101]

Quote: Originally Posted by wwharton

As for Beal, I don't know about that. It took him a while to get used to the NBA. Wall definitely helped but he was definitely playing tentative and getting used to the speed... he would've started off slow anyway. It kind of reminds me of RG3 and Russell Wilson. Beal (Wilson) has been playing great recently, but Lillard (RG3) has been doing it all season.

damn you bruh, for putting things in perspective like that..good analogy..and I can live with that

[GrizzlyJuler]

Quote: Originally Posted by ojandpizza

Lots of great responses in this thread. But I'm VERY surprised there hasn't been more votes for Jrue to win most improved player. He jumped from basically 13 and 5, to 19 and 9... Which doesn't sound like a huge jump but he's the only player who I can think of who went from "role player" to not only the teams number 1 option but also to an All-Star... Another one is Tristan Thompson.. While his season stats aren't mind blowing the guy has been absolute STUD since Varejao went down. I wish I knew what his numbers were since the injury... If I had to guess I'd say somewhere around 13 and 11 which is a nice jump from 8 and 6... But more importantly he's also increased his assists, steals, blocks, FG% and FT%.. He looks like a completely different guy right now.. I'm sure there are a few Cavs fans around here who could tell you even more than I can.

Jrue does deserve some consideration but before last year he averaged 14 ppg and 6.5 ast and last year was considered a set back year for him in terms of stats. The departure of Lou certainly helped his growth because he was able to have full control of the offense this year and the past seasons prepared him. So Jrue has been a good player for a quite a few years its just this year he finally got the recognition. Unlike guys like Sanders and Vasquez who came out of nowhere this season.

Quote:

It's hard to say, but to answer the bigger question I do think staying 3 or 4 years in college makes a difference... for anyone. Even Lebron would've been more NBA ready had he took 3 or 4 years of college ball. But, of course, he was pretty NBA ready as is anyway. I also think it's harder for PGs to skip on the college basketball experience. Taller/bigger players can lean on their athleticism more while learning the NBA. Ellis gets a lot of flack but I give him props for what he's been able to do in the league, considering.

I say if you can dominate the level you play in its time to move on to the higher level. So if you're freshman whos dominating collegiate level then its far more valuable to spend the next 3-4 years in the NBA against talent that matches yours. The only reason players should stay in college is if they're too immature to handle the money/fame that comes from playing in the nba, then the next 3-4 years will help them be more prepared mentally to handle the lifestyle of an nba player.

[702]

Larry Sanders is great, but I find it really hard to give DPOY to a guy playing 26 minutes a game. Especially with Noah playing 38 (!) a night.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by GrizzlyJuler

Jrue does deserve some consideration but before last year he averaged 14 ppg and 6.5 ast and last year was considered a set back year for him in terms of stats. The departure of Lou certainly helped his growth because he was able to have full control of the offense this year and the past seasons prepared him. So Jrue has been a good player for a quite a few years its just this year he finally got the recognition. Unlike guys like Sanders and Vasquez who came out of nowhere this season.

It's true that Vasquez and Sanders came from basically nowhere. That's the main reason I have Sanders on my list..

But they also aren't playing at all All-Star level

They may have came from nowhere to mediocrity, but Holiday went from mediocrity to All-Star.. Tough to say which is more impressive.

[ojandpizza]

Quote: Originally Posted by 702

Larry Sanders is great, but I find it really hard to give DPOY to a guy playing 26 minutes a game. Especially with Noah playing 38 (!) a night.

Well I find it tough to give the DPOY of the year award to Noah when Sanders (despite only playing 26 minutes) dominates every single defensive stat category..

Plus Sanders does it alone. Noah plays for arguably the best defensive team in the league under arguably the best defensive coach..

Honestly I don't even know if Noah would be my second choice.