After arguably the best regular season since Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were still ruling the world of basketball while a young Michael Jordan fought his way to the top, it seems only fitting that we get as many opinions on who should win the awards and various honors throughout the league. We've consulted four of our writers on the site and each given our case for who should win each category. In the right hand column are two articles that have been posted about similar topics on Talkhoops.net.

The Sixth Man of the Year Award was the only one not chosen here because it is a hands down decision that Manu Ginobili will win the award. The Spurs have set him up to win it every year by not starting their second best player. Ginobili will win this year because nobody was able to come through off the bench and have a heroic season. Not even Ronny Turiaf.

And the winners are ....

Most Improved Player
Zach Harper- Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics
I don’t like giving this award to second year guys but this guy was supposed to be the reason the Celtics didn’t work this year.  Instead he’s the reason that they’re the favorites in the East.  If he was playing just a little bit better than he was last year, everybody would be expecting Boston to get dominated by the Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.  Instead, Rondo may be the toughest match-up for anyone they face in the playoffs. 
Brandon Gallawa- Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
Andrew Bynum would have gotten it if he didn’t miss so many games.  Hedo is still deserving of the award.  He is averaging a career high in Points, Rebounds, Assists, Field Goal Percentage, Free Throw attempts and makes, made Three-Pointers and Minutes.  Some might say that his increase in minutes is the reason behind the increases, but his Per 36 minutes averages are also up across the board.  He has also played in every game this season (the first time in his career).
Celia Kelly- Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
I do not want to take anything away from Hedo Turkoglu’s improvement this season because he is just as deserving of the award. However, Rudy Gay has displayed the most growth from a rookie to a sophomore that I have seen in a long time.  He improved in every statistical category other than three-point percentage including making about a nine point jump in his average points per game.
Phillip Barnett- Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies
This award could have gone to a myriad of other players this year. Guys like Rajon Rondo (who won’t win because his contributions will be overlooked because of the team he played on), Chris Kaman (who missed too many games to be considered) and Chris Paul (who won’t win because he’s being considered for MVP) all deserve recognition for their improvements. Hedu Turkoglu, who finished a close second on my ballot for his career being resurrected this year without a consistent point guard, will be overshadowed by Gay because he improved in every major statistical category (including spectacular plays per game. See: that behind the backboard shot he hit against the Knicks a few weeks ago, I know that’s on youtube somewhere), most notably, doubling his scoring average.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Rudy Gay, Memphis Grizzlies

Defensive Player of the Year
Zach Harper- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
I love Kevin Garnett and his defense this year has influenced his team defense more than any other player in the league.  However, as someone that has watched nearly all of his games in the past 5 years, I can tell you that his defense has slipped enough to not give him this award.  Kobe Bryant has easily been the best defensive player this year and he should be rewarded for it. 
Brandon Gallawa- Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs  
People will scream “What about KG?!?  He changed the entire defensive mindset and Boston shut down their opponents defensively!”  Well the fact is the Spurs only allowed a half point more per game than the Celtics and played in a much, much better Western Conference.  KG averaged more steals per game, but Duncan had better averages in blocks and defensive rebounds.  And before everyone points out all the blow-outs when KG was on the bench, his Per 36 minutes were even lower than Duncan.
Celia Kelly- Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
The Celtics reaching 60 wins has much to do with KG in the front line.  He’s not leading the league in blocks or defensive rebounds but he is the defensive heart and soul of the team with the best point differential, lowest opponent field goal percentage, and opponent fewest points per game.
Phillip Barnett- Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
The Celtics only allowed 90.1 points per game this season, nine points under their allowed points per game last season, and Garnett is the reason for the improvement in defensive intensity in Boston. The most impressive part of what Garnett has done this season was how he got his teammates on the same page so early in the season on the defensive end of the floor. With three All-Stars on the team, the scoring was going to be there, but their defense has been more impressive than anything they have done on the offensive end of the floor this season, and you can give a large chunk of that credit to Garnett.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

Rookie of the Year
Zach Harper- Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
This is getting ri-goddamn-diculous that Kevin Durant is getting the Rookie of the Year vote from so many “experts” around this league.  Al Horford averaged nearly a double-double on a playoff team (I don’t care if he is in the East).  Are you telling me that if the Hawks are in the West, they don’t succeed more than the Sonics do?  Horford’s defense, composure, and attitude towards helping his teammates are worth much more than 20 points per game on 42% shooting. 
Brandon Gallawa- Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks  
The thing with Kevin Durant is you have to actually earn the Rookie of the Year trophy.  It just isn’t handed to you.  It’s one thing to chuck ill-advised shots on a losing team with the second worst record in the league.  Horford averaged 10 points per game on a team filled with scorers and ball stoppers.  He is far and away the best rebounder amongst rookies averaging 9.7 per game.  Not to mention Horford played and contributed in games that mattered.
Celia Kelly- Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
Durant had a standout season posting amazing numbers and is very deserving of the award.  Although his team had a horrible record he registered a lot of minutes and consistently performed well.  His last game really solidified my vote when he posted 42 points 13 rebounds and shot 72% from the field.
Phillip Barnett- Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
As much as everyone would like to give this award to Kevin Durant, I think it should go to Al Horford, a guy who contributed to a playoff team playing out of position. Sure, that 20ppg looks pretty on paper, but Durant took 17 shots per game. Horford has been much more efficient this season shooting 50 percent from the floor and nearly averaging a double-double and shoot. For those of you who say Atlanta didn’t have to play in the East this year, consider the fact that the Hawks won more games in the West than the Sonics did while playing fewer games against teams in the conference. Horford is my ROY. (Note: I probably would have picked Luis Scola if he wasn’t a 40-year-old rookie.)
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

All Rookie First Team

Zach Harper	Brandon Gallawa	Celia Kelly	Phillip Barnett	Talkhoops.net
J.C. Navarro	Mike Conley	Kevin Durant	Mike Conley	Moon/Conley
Kevin Durant	Luis Scola	Luis Scola	Kevin Durant	Luis Scola
Jamario Moon	Kevin Durant	Al Thornton	Al Thornton	Kevin Durant
Al Thornton	Al Thornton	Jamario Moon	Luis Scola	Al Thornton
Al Horford	Al Horford	Al Horford	Al Horford	Al Horford

Most Disappointing Team
Zach Harper- Miami Heat
Whether you thought they were title contenders, a first round and out playoff team, or just going to miss the playoffs, nobody thought that this team would win just 15 games, trade Shaq and employ the NBDL All Star team in April.  If you thought at the beginning of the season, Chris Quinn, Ricky Davis (twice), Earl Barron (twice), Daequan Cook, Jason Williams and Kasib Powell would be the game-high scorers in April, then I salute you as the greatest NBA expert of all time.
Brandon Gallawa- Chicago Bulls 
What the hell happened to this team?  Do trade rumors about getting the best player in the league affect a team that badly?  Chicago made so many of us “experts” (I have to put it in quotes now because of them) look like complete buffoons.  I have to question Captain Kirk’s ability to lead.
Celia Kelly- Chicago Bulls
It breaks my heart to say this but this season they were flat out horrible.  After coming off such an amazing season and pushing the Pistons to six games last year in the second round of the playoffs, they straight up underperformed.  There is no leader on that team and its apparent with their lack of defense, inconsistent offense, and careless attitude.  My words of advice: Stop babysitting Luol Deng, free up some cap room, and lets start rebuilding. Again.
Phillip Barnett- Chicago Bulls
If you recall the talkhoops.net season preview, I picked the Chicago Bulls to come out of the Eastern Conference and lose in the Finals to the Spurs. The playoffs are still two days away and Chicago has already fired two coaches, they lost 49 games and finished 33 games behind the top spot in the East I was so sure they’d be in right now. Disappointing may be an understatement for this team.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Chicago Bulls

Most Disappointing Player
Zach Harper- Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls
Not only did I stupidly put this guy as the most underrated player in the league, but Kirk Hinrich also had arguably the most disappointing year of a young point guard that has happened in my lifetime.  He was more valuable on the bench than on the court.  He was terrible on defense even though he used to be a really good defender and he missed more shots than Stevie Wonder with a BB gun. 
Brandon Gallawa- Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls  
Speaking of disappointing, it’s only fitting that this dubious distinction go to Captain Kirk.  He averaged career lows in Points, Assists, Rebounds, Steals, 3 Point Percentage, Free Throw Attempts, and all while shooting a staggering 41% from the field and playing in the least games of his career.  I guess you can say he was a disappointment.
Celia Kelly- Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls
I want nothing more than for the Bulls to trade him.  Passing up on opportunities for KG and Pau was the dumbest mistake the Bulls head office could have ever done.  They were scared to trade someone who underperformed this season in field goal percentage, points per games, and rebounds per game.  As much as they were trying to hold onto him I thought he was going to lead the team to at least the 8th spot in the sub par East.
Phillip Barnett- N/A
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Kirk Hinrich, Chicago Bulls

Most Surprising Team
Zach Harper- Philadelphia 76ers
Sure, not many people (including Byron Scott) had the Hornets pegged as the second best team in the West, but most people thought this Sixers team would be eliminated from playoff contention by the All-Star break.  They have nothing going for them in terms of winning now but they decided to go with the youth movement early and that resulted in the 7th seed and 24 wins in their last 38 games. 
Brandon Gallawa- New Orleans Hornets 
No one predicted them winning the Southwest.  Period.  Any time that happens then your team is a surprise.  As a side note, the Philadelphia 76ers surprised the hell out of me going .500 and making the playoffs.
Celia Kelly- Los Angeles Lakers
If you would have asked me pre season, after all star break, and frankly all the way up until Tuesday if I thought the Lakers were going to end up first in the West my answer would have been the same. No. With all the pre-season Kobe drama, early season Bynum devastation, mid season trade excitement and end season playoff push, I was hoping just one of those would be some kind of distraction.  Let me be the first to admit I was wrong and the Lakers have definitely proven they can rise through adversity. 
Phillip Barnett- New Orleans Hornets
Not one NBA analyst in the world saw this season coming. Not only did none of us see it coming, but no one really believed it was real until after the All-Star Break. If someone tells you that they knew the Hornets were going to be this good, you have my permission to karate chop them in the neck because they’re a damned liar. I really don’t have to explain why they’re the most surprising team. This sentence should be sufficient: The Hornets finished second in the West.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- New Orleans Hornets

Most Surprising Player
Zach Harper- Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
It’s not like we thought this guy was just an okay player; we all knew he was good.  But nobody thought he’d end up being hands down the best point guard on the team and a top-10 point guard by year’s end.  Joe Calderon’s assists to turnover ratio is flat out stupid and he’s going to earn close to 8-figures this summer in restricted free-agency. 
Brandon Gallawa- Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers  
Remember when Kobe was basically calling Bynum garbage all off-season and demanding they trade him for Jason Kidd or the vagina-formerly-known-as-Jermaine O’Neal, and Bynum responded by averaging 13 points and 10 boards per game and became the odds-on favorite for most improved player until he got hurt?  Oh, I didn’t think you did.
Celia Kelly- Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic
At first glance my vote was for Chris Paul, but with careful consideration I can’t help but give it to Turkoglu.  I never would have thought in a million years that he would ever be anybody’s go-to-guy, let alone be ranked in the top six of fourth quarter performers.  He has really stepped up his game and defined his role on the team seemingly over night.
Phillip Barnett- Sasha Vujacic, Los Angeles Lakers
I understand that this one may be a stretch, but Vujacic has played incredibly well this season. After spending November and December being the same ‘ol Sasha, he started picking up his game in mid-January and became “The Machine.” When Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza went down with injuries, no other Laker outside of Kobe stepped up their game more than Sasha did. His numbers post Bynum injury read: 10.7ppg and 45.4 percent behind the three-point line.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- None

Best Off-Season Move (Other than KG trade)
Zach Harper- Derek Fisher, Los Angeles Lakers
Can you imagine what would have happened if Derek Fisher had remained with Utah and Kobe Bryant was forced to play with a learning on the job Jordan Farmar as the starter and Javaris Crittenton as the backup point guard? How much time elapses into the season before Kobe Bryant re-enacts the "Ear Scene" in Reservoir Dogs with Mitch Kupchak? 2 months? Just 8 games?
Brandon Gallawa- Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns
Scot Pollard really put the Celtics over the top.  But in all seriousness, was there a more underrated off-season move than Grant Hill to the Suns?  He fit in with the offense without dominating it.  He complimented his teammates just like he always does.
Celia Kelly- Derek Fisher to Los Angeles
One of the major missing pieces of the Lakers was a veteran point guard.  Signing Derek Fisher was the leadership and push the team needed.  This trade really set the tone for the rest of the season. It will also help them in the long run because Jordan Farmar can learn more under Fisher than he ever could under Smush Parker.
Phillip Barnett- Tie between The Celtics signing Ray Allen and the Lakers signing Derek Fisher
As much as I would like to say the Heat’s signing of Smuch Parker was the best move this off season, there were a couple that were slightly better than that one. Let’s remember that Kevin Garnett did not want any part of the Celtics until Ray Allen was signed, making Boston 1,000 percent more appealing to The Big Ticket (or The Cobra as he’d like to be called now). The Lakers had serious point guard problems last year with the afore mentioned Parker. They went and got Fisher, a stand up guy who came in knowing the Lakers’ system. Both of these off season moves are huge reasons both teams finished at the top of their respective conferences.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Derek Fisher to the Lakers

Best In-Season Move
Zach Harper- Kurt Thomas to the Spurs
It is maybe the simplest and yet most genius move of the season. Pau Gasol was given to the Lakers, the Suns made a gamble with Shaq, and the Mavs took a lot of risk and luxury tax dollars with acquiring Kidd, but R.C. Buford getting Kurt Thomas (an $8m expiring contract, no less) to counter the trades by the Western powers to get bigger and more versatile was pure genius.
Brandon Gallawa- Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz 
It gave them a shooting guard that can actually shoot, and that was a first time they’ve had that in a long time.  Their record after acquiring him was ridiculous.  He stretched defenses allowing Carlos Boozer to work down low and Deron Williams better lanes to the basket.  Loved that move.
Celia Kelly- Shaq trade to Phoenix
You can call me stubborn if you want but I’m maintaining my ground.  Everybody ate in the Shaq trade.  Phoenix ended up the presence they needed, the Heat added a role player and freed up some cap room for next season, and Shaq gets a final run at a title that he otherwise would not have had. It is easy to say the Suns aren’t coming out the West and Shaq had a negative affect on their team but let’s not forget what time it is.  Its playoffs and I don’t know about you, but I’m scared of “Playoff Mode Shaq.”
Phillip Barnett- Tie between the Spurs trading for Kurt Thomas and Francisco Elson and the Jazz trading for Kyle Korver
We can all go on about the huge trades during the course of this season like Pau Gasol to the Lakers, Shaq to the Suns or Jason Kidd to the Mavericks, but I think there were two subtle trades that are going to make a huge difference in the post season this year. Kurt Thomas is going to mean a lot to Tim Duncan this post season especially in the Suns series. Thomas adds more post season experience and a ridiculous amount of intensity. Korver is going to be able to help spread the floor for the Jazz giving Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer more room to operate in the half court set.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Korver to Jazz/ Kurt Thomas to Spurs

All Defensive First Team

Zach Harper	Brandon Gallawa	Celia Kelly	Phillip Barnett	Talkhoops.net
Chris Paul	Chris Paul	Chris Paul	Shane Battier	Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant	Bruce Bowen	Kobe Bryant
Paul Pierce	Kevin Garnett	Josh Smith	Josh Smith	Josh Smith
Kevin Garnett	Tim Duncan	Kevin Garnett	Kevin Garnett	Kevin Garnett
Marcus Camby	Marcus Camby	Marcus Camby	Marcus Camby	Marcus Camby

All NBA First Team

Zach Harper	Brandon Gallawa	Celia Kelly	Phillip Barnett	Talkhoops.net
Chris Paul	Chris Paul	Chris Paul	Chris Paul	Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant	Kobe Bryant
LeBron James	Kevin Garnett	LeBron James	LeBron James	LeBron James
Kevin Garnett	Tim Duncan	Kevin Garnett	Kevin Garnett	Kevin Garnett
Tim Duncan	Dwight Howard	Dwight Howard	Dwight Howard	Dwight Howard

Coach of the Year
Zach Harper- Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets
I really want to give it to Jerry Sloan for adapting to his players instead of adapting his players to him, but the Jazz lost too many road games for a serious contender.  Byron Scott was on the verge of getting fired if the Hornets didn’t make vast improvements this year and he answered the call.  2nd best record in the West says enough for me. 
Brandon Gallawa- Jerry Sloan, Utah Jazz  
Yes, New Orleans was a big surprise this year, and Byron Scott deserves a lot of recognition.  But their improvement over the previous season has more to do with Chris Paul playing in 15 more games and David West playing in 23 more games than last year.  The Jazz only won two fewer games than the Hornets.  Sloan overcame Andrei Kirilenko’s off-season pouting.  He incorporated Kyle Korver seamlessly into his rotation.  Carlos Boozer, Deron Williams and Ronnie Brewer all have jumped to whole other level this season.  Sloan deserves it this year.  What works against him is they did it consistently this season, and they are there every year.  It’s not a sexy pick, but it’s the right one.
Celia Kelly- Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets
The most underrated quality of a great coach is the ability to motivate his team.  After coming off a season where the Hornets were no where near contention for 8th place, it was Byron Scotts motivation that carried the same New Orleans team to its best start in franchise history and falling one game short of the best in the West. 
Phillip Barnett- Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets
I considered giving this award to two other coaches, but decided Scott was the best choice for what he’s done with the Hornets this season. Mike D’Antoni got some recognition for changing the Suns style mid-season to fit what Shaq is able to do while staying in contention for another Pacific Division Title until the last week of the season. Rick Adelman got some recognition for how the Rockets have played with extended absences from both Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming (and that 22-game win streak I guess). However, Byron Scott gets my vote because of this one sentence: The Hornets finished second in the West.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets

Most Valuable Player
Zach Harper- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
If Kevin Garnett hadn’t missed 12 games this season (about 9 or 10 with an ab injury), he’d be my pick for MVP.  What makes me give this award to Kobe over Paul isn’t the fact that Kobe is MVP-less in his career.  The reason is that he deserves it for this season.  He’s been the best offensive and defensive player on the court this year and despite the stigma attached to him, he’s actually been a really good leader for his team. 
Brandon Gallawa- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Flip a coin, and that sums up the MVP race.  Kobe Bryant or Chris Paul?  It has to be Kobe Bryant in my opinion.  He is the best two-way player in the league.  He is absolutely lethal at the end of games, and he isn’t afraid to take over when the Lakers need him.  He has finally realized how to defer to other players without being completely passive.  He grew as a player this year, and we may be witness to a historic run over the next 4-5 years.
Celia Kelly- Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets
First, I am going to maintain my math speaks for itself because he was ahead more points than the difference would have made with the Lakers having a better record.  Next, I am not going to let the standings and the fact the Lakers are only ahead by one game change my mind.  The race in the West is like a game of musical chairs. The music stopped and LA just so happened to be standing in front of the last seat.  If the music kept playing any one of those teams could have been in that seat, including New Orleans.  
Phillip Barnett- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
I was positive Chris Paul was going to be my MVP only a week ago because he’s had an amazing season. Almost any other year 21ppg and 11.6apg would earn you the leagues most prestigious individual year award, but Paul is not going to win the award this season because of one sentence: The Hornets finished second in the West. Up until the Hornets loss to the Lakers, I had Paul as my MVP. However (read that last word in Stephen A. Smith’s voice), the Lakers moved past the Hornets and stuck a fork in the Spurs by the third quarter of their next game. Bryant has played more than half of the season with a torn ligament in his shooting hand, The Lakers are the Western Conference Champions and his numbers, although scoring is down from the past two seasons, have been nothing short of incredible. He’s had his teammates involved all season and he will guard the other team’s best perimeter player night in and night out. Bryant should have his first MVP this season.
Talkhoops.net Consensus- Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

NBA Finals Prediction
Zach Harper- Spurs over Celtics
I really don't like going back on my pick of Pistons losing to the Spurs, but the Celtics are too good with P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell on the bench.
Brandon Gallawa- San Antonio over Boston 
a.k.a. Lowest Scoring NBA Finals ever, but just imagine the KG vs. Duncan match-up.  Epic.
Celia Kelly- Boston vs. Lakers or Boston vs. Phoenix
What better way to end such a perfect season than to take it back to the 80’s. I’d love to see Los Angeles playing Boston mainly because of all the wonderful Bird and Magic highlights that will be played over the course of the series. I’d also love to see Phoenix come out of the West as well.  Partly to prove everyone I was a genius way back when the whole Shaq trade went down and partly to see one of my favorite players get another ring, without Kobe.  Nonetheless, to be honest I have no clue who is coming out of the West. This is the year where anything goes.
Phillip Barnett- Celtics vs. Lakers
Winner: Every basketball fan who didn’t grow up in the 80s. This series will be classic, definitely one for the ages.

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