FROM THE GREAT WHITE NORTH: MID-SEASON AWARDS & SOME SHAQ TRADE THOUGHTS

by E. Spencer Kyte, Bugs and Cranks

Could Phoenix have gotten a better deal for Shawn Marion than an old, broken down Shaq? Probably, but that they didn't and that doesn't mean that this move is as much of a headscratcher as people are making it out to be.

Even an aging, unable to do the things he used to do Shaq next to Amare on the front line is formidable. How come just a month ago when Miami was struggling, everyone and their sister was saying Shaq needs to change his game and become more of a complimentary player, use his passing abilities and now that there is a great chance that will happen everyone is second guessing the deal? Yes, Shaq is the antithesis of the run-and-gun, 7 seconds or less Suns, but Kareem wasn't exactly a sprinter during the Lakers Showtime days and they seemed to do alright.

And there is more to this deal than Phoenix adding Shaq and that is Phoenix subtracting Shawn Marion, plus that horrific contract they signed Marcus Banks to as well. Yech!

I know he was the only guy on the entire team who could play defense and he's so versatile and he's The Matrix and yadda yadda yadda. He also wanted to be traded. Him and Amare also don't exactly see eye to eye. At least Shaq wants to be there.

Oh yeah, he has an A-Rod Clause in this contract too. That would have been real sweet... get absolutely nothing for him at the end of the year when he opts out. Instead, they bring in Shaq, who comes in with one singular goal - win a Championship to cement his legacy. Marion wanted touches and respect and attention and on and on and on because being on one of the best teams in the NBA and known as one of the most complete players in the game just wasn't enough.

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I feel like passing out some hardware, Mid-Season Awards Style.

MVP: Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets - 20.8 PPG, 10.8 APG, 4.0 RPG
Bring on the "Are you retarded" comments...

There are a lot of guys having great years and making a big impact with their teams, but for my money, none is bigger than Paul. Whose the last guy you can remember who averaged 20 & 10 with four boards mixed in their for good measure? How many of you had New Orleans sitting one game back of having the best record in the ultra-competitive West? Paul's impact on his team may even be more important than that of Steve Nash, as Nash has (had) Amare and Marion and a host of others with him. CP3 doesn't have those kind of horses running along side of him.

Whether he garners the award or not - I'm guessing not as one of either LeBron, Kobe or KG will undoubtedly get the nod - his outstanding season brings us back to one important question: How the hell did Atlanta not draft this guy? Marvin Williams? Are you kidding me?

Rookie of the Year: No One
No, this can't actually happen and so Kevin Durant is the de facto recipient, but on the whole I am wholly unimpressed with this year's rookie crop.

I do think Durant is going to be special, but he needs to learn how to play in the NBA. He has outstanding offensive instincts, but instincts along don't get you anywhere. His shot selection needs to improve dramatically and he needs to get Kanye'd - harder, bigger, faster, stronger.

Atlanta needs to give Al Horford consistent burn from here on out. He is a Double Double waiting to happen, as his just shy of 10-10 averages indicate. Jamario Moon is a nice story and has been a valuable contributor up here in The GWN, but he's too streaky to earn serious consideration.

Can't the NBA just keep this year's award and hand out two next year when there will be an abundance of worthy options?

Most Improved Player: Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers - 13.1 PPG, 10.0 RPG
You know there is no one else even remotely in consideration for this award right?

Bynum's play basically made Kobe shut his complaining trap and focus on making things work in LA, which they have, in spades. D'you know what is going to be even more impressive? Watching Bynum flourish even more with Gasol playing next to him on a nightly basis.

Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, Los Angeles Lakers - 31-17, 2nd Place in Pacific
Raise your hands if you thought LA would be second in the Pacific? Liars.

The Zen Master has done it again, somehow getting through to Kobe about being a more all-around player and making a team of cast-offs and question marks work. Seriously, the Lakers rotation includes Vlad Radmanovic, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, Trevor Ariza (pre-injury) and Derek Fisher starts at point. Not what anyone would call an All-Star cast of characters. But it's working and is only going to get better now that Ka-Pau is in town.

Sixth Man Award: Vinnie "The Microwave" Johnson
Was there ever a better sixth man?
(Answer: yes, Ricky Pierce. But he didn't have a cool nickname...)

We'll see if I think the same way at the end of the year...