Mike McGraw's NBA midseason awards
This year's NBA all-star break didn't even come close to hitting midseason. Most teams have about 25 games left out of 82.
The good news is it gives our midseason (or as close as it gets) awards a better chance for accuracy.
MVP: James Harden, Houston Rockets
Look, I'm not entirely comfortable with Russell Westbrook becoming the first player since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62 to average a triple-double, and then not win MVP. But what Harden has done this season is remarkable as well, averaging 29.2 points while leading the league in assists. And Harden is averaging 8.3 rebounds, so he's not far off Westbrook's pace.
Obviously, the big number in this debate is Houston's 40 wins, compared to 32 for Oklahoma City. I don't think you can argue that Harden has a better supporting cast, either. Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson couldn't win anything in New Orleans with Anthony Davis. Next up on the Rockets' chain of command are Clint Capela, Trevor Ariza and Patrick Beverley.
With help from coach Mike D'Antoni, Harden is darn-near working a miracle.
2. Westbrook, 3. LeBron James, Cavs; 4. Kevin Durant, Warriors; 5. Kawhi Leonard, Spurs.
Rookie: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Some have complained about Embiid playing in just 31 of Philadelphia's 56 games. Disregard that argument. Even if he's coming along slowly or benefitted from sitting out these past two years, Embiid is by far the best rookie this season.
How far? The only other rookie currently averaging in double figures is Sixers teammate Dario Saric at 10.8. You want Saric to be rookie of the year? Of course not.
Contenders: Milwaukee's Malcolm Brogdon and Denver's Jamal Murray, with Dallas guard Yogi Farrell, who started the season in the D-League, making a late charge.
I'm not sure we've seen anyone quite like Embiid, a 7-footer who moves like a small forward and has an impressive sense of comedy. If he stays healthy, basketball will benefit.
2. Murray, 3. Brogdon.
Coach: Mike D'Antoni, Houston Rockets
This pretty much goes hand-in-hand with the MVP pick. Remember when D'Antoni turned down a Bulls' offer to coach the Knicks? That feels like a long time ago. Actually, it was a long time ago. The Bulls hired Vinny Del Negro instead.
2. Scott Brooks, Wizards; 3. Quin Snyder, Jazz.
Defensive player of the year: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
The three best teams in defensive rating are San Antonio, Golden State and Utah. So the Spurs' Kawhi Leonard and Warriors' Draymond Green are quality candidates. But the feeling here is with Utah's improvement and Gobert's league-leading 2.5 blocks per game, the 7-foot-1 Frenchman deserves this award, although that really annoying "Draymond getting a massage" commercial has surely affected my thoughts on this topic.
2. Leonard, 3. Green.
Sixth man award: Zach Randolph, Memphis Grizzlies
I was fully prepared to give this award in perpetuity to Jerry Krause's best post-Dynasty draft pick, Jamal Crawford.
Seriously, who thought picking Crawford No. 8 in the 2000 draft was a great idea? Now he's scored nearly 6,000 more points than any other player in that draft (Michael Redd ranks second).
Alas, Crawford turns 37 next month and is finally slowing down. The two highest-scorers off the bench this season are the Lakers' Lou Williams and Houston's Eric Gordon, but I'm going with Randolph. Now 35, Randolph is still productive and Memphis still has a solid record.
2. Williams, 3. Gordon
Most improved player: Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
I'm not a big fan of giving this to second-year guys, so I'll pass on Phoenix's Devin Booker. Atlanta guard Dennis Schroder's numbers are way up, but he was already pretty good and was promoted to starter. Washington's Otto Porter Jr. is a valid candidate, considering how useless he was during his first two seasons.
Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo should get some support here. He has improved in every stat category, pushed his scoring from 16.9 to 23.4 points per game, and deserved to start in the All-Star Game.
But I honestly believe the most improved player is Thomas. The 5-foot-9 point guard pushed his scoring average from 22.2 to 29.9 points, second-best in the league behind Westbrook. He's also the NBA's leading fourth-quarter scorer and has the Celtics playing very well.
2. Antetokounmpo; 3. Porter Jr.
First-team All-NBA: Russell Westbrook, Thunder; James Harden, Rockets; LeBron James, Cavs; Kevin Durant, Warriors; Anthony Davis, Pelicans.
Second-team All-NBA: Steph Curry, Warriors; Isaiah Thomas, Celtics; Kawhi Leonard, Spurs; Jimmy Butler, Bulls; DeMarcus Cousins, Pelicans.
Third-team All-NBA: John Wall, Wizards; DeMar DeRozan, Raptors; Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks; Gordon Hayward, Jazz; Karl Anthony Towns, Timberwolves.