Probable award winners of the 2008-09 season

Executive of the Year

The Executive of the Year would possibly be Danny Ferry of Cleveland Cavaliers. 2 years back this team was in the Finals, but Ferry was not satisfied. In the past 2 years, he remade this team into a better one. He built it around LeBron James. In 2007, the team had 1 legitimate shooter – Daniel Gibson. Currently, the team has 4 shooters – Gibson, Wally Szczerbiak, Delonte West and Mo Williams. After Larry Hughes began to feel that he should handle the ball rather than James, Ferry got rid of Hughes. In 2008, Ferry had tough negotiations with Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao due to which the Cavaliers are in solid shape.
The runners up for this award may be Otis Smith of Orlando Magic, John Paxson of Chicago and Mark Warkentien of Denver.

Coach of the Year

The Coach of the Year award should probably be given to Mike Brown of Cleveland Cavaliers. When he came to Cleveland, he was sufficiently honest to admit that offense was not his forte and hence he frequently defers to his assistants. Along with each passing season, Brown has been enough robust to expect more from LeBron James. In the current season, all the virtues of the team have come together. The team ranks first in the league in defensive field goal percentage allowed and points allowed. They are having the best record of the league.
The runners up may be Erik Spoelstra of Miami Heat, Nate McMillan of Portland and Rick Adelman of Houston.

Most Improved Player

J.R. Smith of Denver is considered as the Most Improved Player of the season. His play is a model of whom this award should be given to – to a player who entered this league with some amount of skill and further who enhanced these skills and became a better basketball player. There is an increase in the maturity of Smith on and off court and he has become an often lethal sixth man with his team. He has reached a certain degree of comfort with his coach.
The runners up for this award are Devin Harris of New Jersey, Al Jefferson of Minnesota and Paul Millsap of Utah Jazz.

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard of Orlando should be awarded the Defensive Player of the Year Award. He ranks first in blocked shots and this nearly ends the opposition’s possessions and ranks first in defensive rebounds and this surely ceases the opposition’s possessions. Due to Howard’s presence, there are less number of opponent drives to the basket that cause fouls. In the league, the Magic ranks 7th in least free throw attempts permitted per game. Secondly, there are also more low percentage perimeter shots. Magic is ranked at the 3rd position for defensive field goal percentage. Thirdly, the other members of Magic get time to close out on shooters. The team is ranked 2nd in 3-point field goal percentage permitted per game.
The runners up for this award are LeBron James of Cleveland, Kevin Garnett of Boston and Shane Battier of Houston.