The 2013-14 NBA regular season has dwindled to a few remaining games, so area fans can debate the topics that truly matter this time of year.
What in blazes happened to the Knicks? And why in all the remaining blazes don’t the Nets get the media recognition they deserve around here?
Well, if those aren’t your NBA debates of the day, you can consider the annual awards. Start with MVP.
Most valuable player
Kevin Durant, Thunder
LeBron James is the best player, OK. So this becomes how you perceive the award. What Durant did to carry the Thunder with Russell Westbrook missing nearly half the season was remarkable. Yeah, yeah, he had 41 straight games of 25 points and 12 straight with 30 points and a whole lot of games where he did something. But more impressive was getting the Northwest Division champions in the 60-victory neighborhood.
“LeBron James is one of those special players that comes once in a lifetime. He will always start off the discussion of MVP before they play the first game,” two-time MVP Karl Malone said recently. “But for Oklahoma City to lose Westbrook for a second time, and for what Kevin has done, you’ve got to say him [for MVP].”
Second: James (Heat); Third: Blake Griffin (Clippers); Fourth: Joakim Noah (Bulls); Fifth: Paul George (Pacers).
Coach of the year
Jeff Hornacek, Suns
This is like the LeBron James argument. Every year the choice could be San Antonio’s Gregg Popovich — this year is no exception, as the Spurs were the first team to 60 wins. But Hornacek is the pick because at the start of the season, the Suns were predicted to win 22. So he beats Popovich, Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, Toronto’s Dwane Casey and Chicago’s Tom Thibodeau.
Rookie of the year
Michael Carter-Williams, 76ers
There had to be something worthwhile in all the misery in Philadelphia, where the 76ers tied the NBA record with 26 straight losses. MCW leads rookie scoring (16.7), rebounding (6.1) and assists (6.3). The preseason choice of most, Orlando’s Victor Oladipo was solid but Carter-Williams is a no-brainer.
Sixth man of the year
D.J. Augustin, Bulls
Released by Toronto and signed by the Bulls, who were one step from auditioning Beer League dropouts after losing Derrick Rose, Augustin didn’t overwhelm immediately but has been great since the All-Star break, averaging 16.1 points, 4.3 assists and shooting nearly 42 percent on 3s. He beats Jamal Crawford of the Clippers and San Antonio’s venerable Manu Ginobili.
Most improved player
Anthony Davis, Pelicans
Yes, players are expected to make quantum leaps in their second years — especially No. 1 picks. But Davis was off the charts following his injury-plagued rookie season. At 6-foot-10, he leads the league in blocks while averaging a 20-10 double-double. Those are Tim Duncan numbers and gets him the nod over Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan, Phoenix’s Goran Dragic and Indiana’s Lance Stephenson, the leader before the wheels came off Indy’s big rig.
Defensive player of the year
Joakim Noah, Bulls
There are reasons the Bulls surrender the fewest points and rank second in field goal defense. And the main reason is Noah: The guy played defense in the * first half * of the All-Star Game for crying out loud. The candidacy of early favorite Roy Hibbert faded with the Pacers’ late season misadventures.
Those are pretty much the awards voted on by the media. But there are other awards deserving consideration with a local emphasis.
J.R. Smith blunder of the year not involving shoelaces
Misfire vs. Rockets
The Jan. 3 game in Houston was tied when Smith fired an ill-fated 3-pointer with 22 seconds left. The Knicks eventually lost, 102-100. Making it worse? “I thought we were down two,” Smith said.
Executive of the year who is out on his ear
Bryan Colangelo
As the Raptors stream toward the best season in franchise history, they do so largely with a team fashioned by Colangelo who drafted DeMar DeRozan, Jonas, Valanciunas, Terrence Ross …
Best play by a Plumlee
LeBlock
Mason Plumlee was drafted 22nd, making him one of Nets GM Billy King’s best under-the-radar moves. The rookie made the Nets’ defensive play of the year when he stopped LeBron James at the rim, preserving a Nets victory and a season sweep of Miami on Tuesday. Though James called foul, the officials ruled close but clean. It was the Plumlee Play of the Year, beating anything you suggest by Miles.
Biggest 3-point shooting blunder not involving J.R. Smith
Bargna-nooo!
Same team, different guy. Andrea Bargnani on Dec. 18 inexplicably put up a 3-pointer for the Knicks, who led Milwaukee by two with 20 seconds left in OT. With the shot clock off after an offensive rebound, Bargnani shot, missed. “What is he doing? Why would he shoot?” Clyde Frazier asked. The Knicks won in double OT.
Most historic moment besides Mike Woodson starting a sentence with something other than “again…”
Making history
Jason Collins signed with the Nets on Feb. 23 and the NBA had the first openly gay active player in the four major North American sports. Hopefully, in the future such moves won’t matter. And hopefully, Woodson, who has handled an atrocious situation with class, will start a sentence with “Blimey, mates …”
Best John Calipari return to the NBA rumor
He’s so Hollywood
After losing the NCAA championship to UConn, Kentucky’s John Calipari refused to “dignify” former NBA player and ex-Wildcat Rex Chapman’s tweet about a “done deal” sending the coach to the Lakers. Don’t confuse this with the rumor of him going to Brooklyn. Or the rumor of him going to the Knicks. Or the rumor of him and LeBron James going to Chicago. Or …
Greatest individual games that made Charlotte reconsider doubling
One-man shows
On March 3, LeBron James scored a career and Heat franchise record 61 points against the Bobcats, the greatest NBA total in 38 days. On Jan. 24, Carmelo Anthony rewrote the Knicks record book with a Garden night to remember 62 points, also against Charlotte.
Lakers’ quarter horses
No defense for Knicks
In the most pitiful defensive display in franchise history, the Knicks held the Lakers to 51 points in the third * quarter * March 25. It is also a franchise quarter record for the Lakers.
Best transition not involving John Wall
On Feb. 1, David Stern stepped down as NBA commissioner, 30 years after assuming the post. He was succeeded by Adam Silver, the deputy commish since 2006. Silver immediately called for more “transparency” and a rise in the NBA’s minimum age at his first All-Star meeting. NBA TV immediately called for an end to Stern’s complimentary “League Pass” and billed him.
Biggest disappointment, team
Knicks
Easy. They won 54 last season. They’re under .500 this season.
Biggest disappointment, individual
Josh Smith, Pistons
He was supposed to bring Detroit a playoff spot. Instead, they got bad shot selection (career worst 41.9 percent shooting), bad free throw shooting (53.2 percent) and turnovers. He is a legit talent. But not for Detroit.
Most improved coach from the start of the season
Jason Kidd, Nets
He was considered clueless when the Nets 10-21. But with a KISS method — Keep It Simple, Stupid — and going small, he fashioned the season’s best turnaround, twice winning Eastern Coach of the Month.
Most underrated Acquisition, frontcourt
Al Jefferson, Bobcats
Some yawned when Charlotte signed him to a three-year, $41 million deal. But Jefferson has been terrific, the most dominant Bobcat ever — which may be equal to being the best swimmer in the Sahara, but there’s no denying his value.
Most underrated Acquisition, Backcourt
Shaun Livingston, Nets
He has been an absolute revelation. From production to versatility to size, he became a legit X-factor in the Nets’ success.
Most underrated personnel loss
Jarrett Jack, Warriors
The loss to free agency was crippling. He was tough, gritty, a perfect backup to Stephen Curry. Many picked the Warriors to lead NBA scoring. They are 10th at an impressive 103 points, but 10th all the same.
Nickname of the year
Joe Jesus
Kevin Garnett’s moniker for Brooklyn teammate Joe Johnson: “He might not be there when you call on him but he’s there when you need him, Joe Jesus.”
Best reaction to Phil Jackson hiring
Rich Gotham, Celtics president
He told HuffPost Live, Jackson was “one more reason to not like the Knicks.”