Comment: James has been the NBA's unstoppable force this season while Wade and Howard have carried their teams. The top four are a cut above, but Billups absolutely deserves consideration as well.

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All-NBA

First team: F LeBron James, F Dirk Nowitzki, C Dwight Howard, G Dwyane Wade, G Kobe Bryant.

Comment: Can't believe Chris Paul isn't a first-team All-NBA pick, but the league instructs you to vote on players at the positions they play regularly. Wade and Bryant have to be the NBA's first-team backcourt.

Second team: F Pau Gasol, F Carmelo Anthony, C Yao Ming, G Brandon Roy, G Chris Paul.

Third team: F David West, F Paul Pierce, C Tim Duncan, G Tony Parker, G Deron Williams.

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Rookie of the Year

1. Derrick Rose, 2. O.J. Mayo, 3. Kevin Love

Comment: Rose was the Bulls' best player this season and a borderline All-Star.

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Coach of the Year

1. Stan Van Gundy, 2. Nate McMillan, 3. Mike Brown

Comment: Jerry Sloan is obviously past due for this award, but I can't vote for him after watching the Jazz go 15-26 on the road and 3-18 in the second game of back-to-backs, though he does deserve credit for keeping the team together through so many injuries.

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Most Improved Player

1. Kevin Durant, 2. Devin Harris, 3. Danny Granger

Comment: Durant had a remarkable second season, even for a No. 2 overall pick, and is on the verge of stardom. Harris showed he could dominate with his speed and Granger has raised his scoring by 5 ppg every year he's been in the league.

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Defensive Player of the Year

1. Dwight Howard, 2. Kevin Garnett, 3. Chris Andersen

Comment: Not only does Howard lead the NBA in blocks and rebounds, he's so dominant that there's only five players in the league who have grabbed as many total rebounds as Howard has grabbed defensive rebounds alone.

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Sixth Man of the Year

1. Jason Terry, 2. J.R. Smith, 3. Lamar Odom

Comment: Terry will win this year as easily as Manu Ginobili did last year. I look at the Nuggets and see Smith as having been a vastly more important player for them than Nate Robinson with the Knicks.