Spider Dribble's 2013 NBA Midseason Awards

As the All-Star break approaches and all 30 teams are on the verge of playing their 50th contest of the season, it's now time to reflect on the first half of what's been a successful, exciting NBA season. Headlined by the three superstars seen below, The Association is poised to boast one of the closest MVP races we have witnessed in a long while.

LeBron, KD and CP3 lead the MVP discussion, all of whom have shown convincing enough play to win.

While Bron Bron and Durantula are stepping their game up to all new levels, Paul has taken charge of the "other" LA team, making them a real threat out of the Western Conference. From the tight MVP race to the more clear cut Rookie of the Year campaign, let's break down who would receive the six major NBA awards if the season were to end today. Hit the jump for our selections. 

MVP

Winner: Chris Paul

Runner Up: Kevin Durant

Second Runner Up: LeBron James

WHY: This is one of those award races where each top tier candidate has a right to win, and, really, no one has the clear upper hand. LeBron and Durant somehow found it within themselves to improve on their already stellar numbers from last year, with both of them posting career highs in a number of statistical categories. However, despite posting typical CP3 numbers, Chris Paul gets my vote because he means everything to the Clippers. LBJ has Wade, KD has Westbrook. Those are four  of the league's ten best players. Chris Paul's right hand man, Blake Griffin, while improving, still has a long way to go to achieve superstar status. The Heat can win without LeBron, OKC can win without Durant, but, as the Clips have shown us over the past few weeks, Chris Paul is absolutely integral to this team's success. Without CP3 in the lineup this year, Lob City is a paltry 3-7, but with Paul anchoring the point, the Clippers boast a 32-9 record headlined by an insane 17 game win streak throughout December. I think I've proved my point when I say Chris Paul is the Most Valuable Player of the NBA.

Rookie Of The Year
Winner: Damian Lillard
Runner Up: Anthony Davis
Second Runner Up: Andre Drummond

WHY: While many of these award races are, at the midseason point, too close to call, the ROY spot has a definite, clear cut winner in Portland's rookie sensation Damian Lillard. An award that most expected NOLA's Anthony Davis to claim without competition, Weber State's electric alum has swept the NBA by surprise, averaging an impressive 18 points, 6 dimes and 4 boards while leading the Blazers to a surprising above .500 record. We all knew Lillard could score when he led the NCAA in PPG his junior season, but his ability to set up his teammates has proven he'll be successful for years to come. Lillard has done more than his fair share to earn this award, but if/when he does so, the young'n should write Lawrence Frank a thank-you-note for refusing to uncage the animal that is Andre Drummond.

Coach Of The Year
Winner: Mark Jackson
Runner Up: Tom Thibodeau

Second Runner Up: Frank Vogel

WHY: Every year, when I look at the candidates for NBA's Coach Of The Year, I ask myself one question: "which team has had the most unexpected success?" This season, of course, is no exception, and without a doubt, the answer is the Golden State Warriors. Jackson was brought in prior to last season, but he and the Warriors disappointed their way to just a 23-43 record in the lockout-shortened year. Coming into this season with basically the same roster, expectations were better, but still not superb. However, with the help of a (finally) healthy Steph Curry and double double machine David Lee, Coach Jackson not only has the Ws fighting for a playoff spot, but for a top four seed. Yes, Tom Thibodeau and the Bulls have impressed without superstar Derrick Rose and Frank Vogel's Pacers are exceeding pre-season predictions, but no team has been turned around this season quicker than Mark Jackson's Golden State Warriors.

Most Improved Player

Winner: Paul George

Runner Up: Jrue Holiday

Second Runner Up: Greivis Vasquez

WHY: If the MVP campaign was the league's tightest award pool, then the race for 2013's Most Improved Player trophy was without a doubt the second closest. Through 50 games so far, I've dubbed more players "Most Improved Material" than any other status, making this one a very, very tough call. Paul George and Jrue Holiday lead the chase, but despite Holiday's bigger jump in statistics, I give the nod to The Association's newest breakout star in the Pacers' George. Needing a spark after Danny Granger fell to injury last season, the 22 year old, first time All-Star took the opportunity and ran with it, becoming both a go-to scorer and shutdown defender. Without even a single appearance from Granger so far this season, George's heroics have led the Pacers to a top four seed in the Eastern Conference as well as career numbers for the California bred swingman. While Holiday and Vasquez are without a doubt the NBA's point guards of the future, George's defense and leadership skills make him one step above the competition.

Sixth Man Of The Year

Winner: Jarrett Jack

Runner Up: Jamal Crawford

Second Runner Up: JR Smith

WHY: Here, Crawford and Smith may be the flashier, more statistics-based pick for Sixth Man Of The Year, but Jarrett Jack is too crucial a member of his team to not receive the nod. JCrossover and JR might lead the league in scoring off the bench, but Jack, night in and night out, has proven to be much more important a pawn than either of the others. Often times not even the first off the bench, the versatile Georgia Tech product finds himself anchoring the point for the Warriors in the home stretch, pushing franchise boy Steph Curry to the two and Klay Thompson to the three. Jack does a wonderful job of facilitating the high powered Golden State offense, finding scorers Curry, Thompson, and David Lee with ease while proving he can knock down big shots with uber efficiency himself. It disappoints me a little to know the NBA will likely prefer Crawford or Smith, but either way, Jarrett Jack has found his niche within GSW's plans, and he's a huge part of their success.

Defensive Player Of The Year

Winner: Joakim Noah

Runner Up: Larry Sanders

Second Runner Up: Serge Ibaka

WHY: Plain and simple, the Chicago Bulls are the best defensive team in the NBA. Spearheaded by a defensive minded coaching staff and a roster full of lockdown capable defenders, the Bulls can compete with any team, any time thanks to their ability to defend. Behind every great defensive team, though, is one defensive guru. For the Chicago Bulls that man is Joakim Noah. Posting career highs in blocks (2.1) steals (1.3) and rebounds (11.3) per game, Noah has taken his D to a new level to compensate for Derrick Rose's missing offense, allowing Chicago to win games despite their lack of an explosive offensive weapon. Without a doubt, Joakim Noah is the Bulls' MVP and the league's most valuable defensive asset.  

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