NBA Midseason Spectacular!

We are a little past the midway point in the NBA season and I know that you all have been clamoring to get my opinion on the goings on of the season, so without further ado, I give you my picks and unsolicited opinions on how the NBA season has gone so far.

Weirdest Story That I Am Here For:
The Memphis Grizzlies VS Andre Iguodala
So I get both sides of this beef. I would totally understand why a veteran who was a solid contributor on a championship level team would not want to toil on a rebuilding team. I also understand why a team of professionals would not take too kindly to the insinuation being that they are so bad they aren't worthy of this vet's time.

With a young core featuring Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr, and Dillon Brooks, the Grizzlies most certainly are a team worth keeping an eye on and with this chip on their shoulder in the coming years they could be very dangerous.  

Most Valuable Player:
Giannis Antetokounmpo

In a runaway, the most valuable player has been the Greek Freak. There has been no slump as Giannis is the best player on the best team in the East. He is on pace to be the first player since Wilt Damn Chamberlain to average 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists. Sports Illustrated said it best, "They’re playing like a superteam with only one superstar. Rewarding anybody else but Antetokounmpo is foolish."

Coach of the Year:
Eric Spoelstra

Coach Spo has never gotten the shine he deserved. During the title years the teams were seemed to be coached by LeBron and Spo was just there. So coming into this season the expectations were playoff team and that's about it. Adding Jimmy Butler, and basically reshuffling some young players into unfamiliar roles Spo has his guys in 4th place in the East, even rising as high as second. He has helped Bam Adebayo flourish into an all star, unlocked Duncan Robinson, and helped Tyler Herro and Kendrick Nunn develop at a rapid rate. 

Rookie of the Year:
Ja Morant

Coming into the season there was no doubt that Zion Williamson would be the likely rookie of the year. A knee injury wiped out that as a possibility and Ja as he has done since bursting on the national stage has exceeded all expectations. Always a fantastic finisher, he has shown himself to be a more adept 3 point shooter than any of us gave him credit for. Also he has shown himself to be a leader as shown in his on the court poise and off the court support of Iguodala even going so far as to verbally take it to Steph Curry.

Sixth Man of the Year (Not Named Lou Williams):
Dennis Schroeder

Schroeder has always been somewhat of an enigma, but this season as the top guy on the second unit for the Thunder I think he has found his role. He is averaging 19 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists on a team that is 10 games over .500 and is vastly outperforming expectations for the team. The most amazing thing has been how well he fits no matter who his back court mate is. Paired with Shai Gilgeous Alexander the Thunder outscore teams by 9.5 points per 100 possessions, pair him with Chris Paul and that number explodes to 16.5 per 100 possessions.

Breakout Player:
Shai-Gilgeous Alexander

When the Thunder decided to trade away Paul George and go complete rebuild I imagine getting a player like Shai in return was a must. In his first season starting he is showing why he was drafted 11th overall. He is averaging 19.5 points per game to go with 6 rebounds and 3 assists. And with his size and length he has been an equal terror on the defensive side averaging over a steal per game. For me it was a no brainer.

Well folks there we have it. I look forward to weeping uncontrollably during the All Star game when Kobe Bryant tributes begin then again when Vince Carter retires at the end of the season as he has been in the league more than half of my life and I am slowly marching to the point of oh god how old am I?!?! Enjoy this montage of young VC doing work!