Early Season Awards

Former Lehigh star, C.J. McCollum has found his niche this season.

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By Onie Dator
Balling and Blogging

Most Improved Player: C.J. McCollum (Guard, Portland Trail Blazers)

• Just to point out, I could have also chosen Chef Curry to win this award. I haven't seen a guy improve so much coming out of an MVP season the way Steph has. Yet, conventional wisdom tells me that my guy here should C.J. McCollum. More than the stats, this guy took advantage of his opportunity when he awarded the starting job. Remember that not everyone who gets the chance to play more minutes live up to the billing. C.J has and hopefully will continue to light it up.

Top Sixth Man: Isaiah Thomas (Guard, Boston Celtics) 

• How can you not give it to this guy who was the so-called Mr. Irrelevant of the 2011 draft. The high- scoring guard is putting up 20 ppg and 6 apg as the Celtics' sixth man. He may just be the best player in the NBA who is not starting. 

Top Rookie: Kristaps Porzingis (Forward, New York Knicks)

• Zinger's numbers and Big Kat's numbers are so similar that you have to give it to both of them if stats will be the main point of contention. So with that in mind, I decided to go with Porzingis because of his impact to the Knicks. The guy has literally embraced the NYC spotlight and has not budged from the pressure of playing in Gotham. Amazing poise from the 7'3 Latvian kid. 

Top Coach: Luke Walton (Golden State Warriors)

• If you think that Luke Walton's job of taking over from Steve Kerr to coach the Defending NBA champions was a walk in the park, then, you are heavily mistaken my friend. He was thrown to the fire and he played with it perfectly with a 24-1 record. Great job, Coach Walton.  

Best Defensive Player: Draymond Green (Forward, Golden State Warriors)

• The Warriors are great not because they simply shoot lights out all the time. In fact, it is actually because they play great defense that has made them so successful. And the most tenacious guy out there for the Dubs is none other than Draymond Green. Jeff Van Gundy said that for him, this guy, Draymond Green is a top ten player in the league. I totally agree because of all the many things he brings to the table. If you watch him play, it is his tenacity, basketball IQ and defensive prowess that make their incredible small ball lineup literally unstoppable.  

MVP: Steph Curry (Guard, Golden State Warriors) 

• Steph went from being NBA MVP to being the Best Player in the planet. He is like the most iconic and most popular player in the world right now. He is simply amazing and is truly head and shoulders above the rest of the pact.