Lorenzen Wright, a 13 year NBA veteran, was found dead in Memphis.

The Memphis native had been listed as a missing person by his family on July 22. Reports haven’t listed Wright’s death as a homicide, but his body was found in the woods. Also, investigators and health officials have not said what could have caused the death.

Wright played at Memphis University and was drafted by the Los Angeles Clippers with the seventh pick in 1996. After three seasons with Los Angeles, he played for the Atlanta Hawks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

His last stint in the NBA was with the Cavaliers in the 08-09 season.

It is never pleasant to hear someone has past away. Homicide (although it is not confirmed) is extremely sad and not wished upon anyone. Bullshome.com offers condolences and expresses a moment of silence for Lorenzen Wright.

Rosters are starting to take shape, especially for the Chicago Bulls. They traded away Tyrus Thomas, John Salmons and Kirk Hinrich for expiring contracts that are now off the books and future draft picks. The Bulls are starting to build the roster and our only six days into the free agent signing period.

Boozer and Korver are officially signed. Yesterday, the Bulls signed 7 ft center Omer Asik from Turkey. Asik was originally drafted by the Portland Trailblazers in 2008, but was immediately traded to the Bulls. He has been developing for the past two years in Euroleague play. Chicago needs a big man who can defend a Dwight Howard or a Pau Gasol. Asik looks long and lengthy but is a great shot blocker. Maybe he will defend with intimidation as his best aspect; that’s what Ben Wallace did. Scouts seem to think he has solid NBA skills.

“Center seems to be his natural position as he loves playing with his back to the basket possessing a good assortment of moves to get his shot off … He is a tenacious rebounder going for the offensive boards as well as wiping the defensive glass.”

This isn’t saying he will dominate, but he will add depth off the bench. The Bulls have been a team that relies on six to seven players, maybe Tom Thibodeau’s run as head coach will bring in a new era called use the bench.

In other NBA news:

Golden State gets forward David Lee
New York gets forward Anthony Randolph,forward Kelenna Azubuike, forward Ronny Turiaf and a 2010 second-round pick.

Golden State wins the trade. Lee is a great rebounder and can put up 20 to 25 points any night. He is perfect for the run and gun tempo of the Don Nelson’s Warriors. New York got three so-so players. The second round pick will more than likely lead to the same type of player. Randolph is a solid player with upside but he isn’t going to develop into an all-star. He will be a great sixth man or a contributing role player. Warriors get an all-star and the Knicks get three similar players who will not amount to much.

Miami resigned forward Udonis Haslem.

Haslem has been a blue collar player for the Heat since 2002, it only seems right to bring him back to attempt to win another championship. He is a big man who can step out and hit a jumper, rebound and defend in the low post. Heat owner Pat Riley would have been a fool not to bring him back.

Dallas gets center Tyson Chandler and center Alexis Ajinca
Charlotte gets center Erick Dampier, forward Eduardo Najera, guard Matt Carroll and cash considerations.

Dallas wins this trade. Chandler is not offensively gifted but can rebound and block shots on a much higher level than Erick Dampier can. Oh, Dampier can’t shoot a penny in the ocean, Chandler is better in this category too.

Najera is on his last legs and Carroll isn’t an NBA talent. Dallas drops some salary to pick up players they could use, while Charlotte picks up veteran players who will not fit their system.

Derek Fisher stays with the Lakers.

Great move. Fisher kept the Lakers in the playoffs throughout every series. He is tough and the heart of the team.

Most of everything is rumors and hasn’t been set in contract yet.

The Atlanta Hawks are going to send Chris Childress to the Suns. The Suns are also going after Hedu Turkoglu. Childress has played over seas for the past few years, and has become a great player.

Al Jefferson will be a Denver Nugget.

J.J. Redick has been offered a deal from the Bulls but Orlando can keep him if they match the 3 year deal worth $20 million because he is a restricted free agent.

“Big Z”, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, will probably join the Miami Heat. He will follow LeBron, no dobut about it. They play well together and respect each other. They want to win a ring for each other.

Cavaliers have put an offer on the table for Kyle Lowry, but the Redick situation falls on Lowry as well. The Rockets have reportedly matched the contract.

I have no idea why, but the Timberwolves are going after Luke Ridnour. They have seven point guards and are trying to get another, no clue why.

Friends of mine on Facebook wrote update status stating they were not doing anything except watching ESPN to see who was going to what team.  Chris Bosh, one of three big names in the free agency market, tweeted he was also watching ESPN to see what moves were going to happen.  Then he tweeted he was going to Chicago to here their pitch,  I got excited.

Anyway, four players were signed during the first day of the open market.  All of them were over paid.  David Stern must have been handing out winning scratch off lottery tickets to these players because they’re not worth the contracts they graciously accepted.

One of these over paid players was in the Bulls Home top ten countdown of free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.  Fortunately,  he was tied for the 10th spot.  Rudy Gay, #10A, resigned with the Memphis Grizzlies for a five year deal worth $80 million.  Gay is extremely athletic and has the potential to be an all-star, but he is not worth this much money.  Memphis paid him as a franchise player,  too bad he isn’t.  He is a great number two or three option, but not the center of a winning team.

Rudy Gay

The other three deals are mind boggling.  Darko Milicic was signed by the Minnesota Timberwolves for $20 million throughout four years.  The Toronto Raptors spent $34 million on Amir Johnson for five years and the Milwaukee Bucks gave Drew Gooden a five year deal for $32 million.

These teams locked up role players to say the least.  Johnson has tons of ability, but does this mean give him a big contract on potential? I understand the Raptors will lose Bosh, but Johnson isn’t the answer.  His contract will probably be the worst of the summer.

Drew Gooden

Gooden is the typical NBA journeyman.  He will fit in well with the Bucks because they have nothing in the paint except Andrew Bogut.  Gooden will rebound and play average defense.  But he is not worth $6 million a year.  Plus,  as his career has shown, he will be traded by December.  He has been with eight different teams in eight seasons, not counting his return trips to Orlando and Cleveland.

Milicic is the biggest bust in draft history, well, besides Kwame Brown.  He was selected second in the 2003 draft that included Lebron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.  Milicic has been the ultimate let down.  In his seven year career, he averages 5.6 points and 4.1 rebounds a game.

Other deals locked up but not official include John Salmons resigning with the Bucks and Joe Johnson is staying with the Atlanta Hawks for a max contract.

10 Two Way Tie Between- Rudy Gay and John Salmons

Salmons was traded away by the Bulls at the February trade deadline in order to dump off contracts.  He went to Milwaukee and helped them earn a six seed in the playoffs.  Before he came they were on the outside looking in.  Rudy Gay is a young talented player with limited leadership skills.  Gay is on the verge of becoming a superstar but needs to play on a team besides the Memphis Grizzlies where he is the main attraction, because he shouldn’t be on any team.  Both players are respectable second options and great role players.

9 Amare Stoudemire

The Suns power forward has little defense but is absolute dynamite on offense.  He can put up 30 points any night but if he is playing someone else who can score in the post, he can give up 30 points any night as well.

8 Joe Johnson

He is one of the best shooters in the game now.  He adds instant offense.  The problem is he choked in the playoffs.  His Atlanta Hawks got swept by the Orlando Magic and he put up little fight.  Johnson showed lack of heart, lack of concern to the fans and a lack of being a go to guy.

7 Carlos Boozer

Boozer is a double-double guy.  He can easily get 10 rebounds and 15-to-20 against anybody.  His defense is average but seems to always be in the right place at the right time for lose balls or blocks.  What he lacks in stats compared to some of the others on the lists, he adds in leadership.

6 Dirk Nowitzki

Dirk is a great player and possibly the best 7 foot shooter ever to grace the NBA.  Again,  he would add instant scoring and knows how to rebound the ball.  He is in the last stage of his career, I give him five productive years.  Also,  he is a second option, not a number one.  If he became a Bull, he would have to realize his position on the team.

5 Ray Allen

Allen is the second best three point shooter in history behind Reggie Miller.  He would be great for the Bull’s offense because he never stops running.  The downfall is, he will be 35 by the time next season starts.

4 Dwyane Wade

He is the second best two guard in the league behind Kobe Bryant.  I love Wade’s game and he brings the most energy to the court out of the ten guys on the court.  He can do everything: score, defend and all the intangibles in the middle.  He moved up the list because of his comments towards the Chicago Bulls.  I don’t think there is any chance he will be a Bull.

3 David Lee-Brad Miller-and a shooter (Kyle Korver, JJ Redick, Mike Miller)

Lee is a solid power forward.  He can score down low, hit a 15 foot jumper and rebound.  He plays solid help defense and again,  is always around the basket for offensive rebounds.  Brad Miller is old and for the most part washed up, but he has veteran leadership and in his old age still put up 10 points and five rebounds as a third stringer.  The Bulls desperately need a shooter.  Korver, Redick and Miller are the best shooters available.  Chicago should combo the three together to make use of their money.

2 Lebron James

James is the most athletic player in the league, no doubt about it.  He puts up video game numbers every night and would bring an incredible level of excitement around the United Center.  I will not be mad if James comes to the Bulls, that is for sure, but I think his superstardom could hurt the team.  Derrick Rose is a great point guard all ready and could develop into one of the best to ever play for the Bulls.  I question if the addition of James would hurt Rose’s development and the Chicago Bulls become the Chicago Lebrons.  He is great, but he has never won a championship.

1 Chris Bosh

From a team perspective, he is the best fit for the Bulls.  We need low post scoring, experience and a second option.   Bosh will give 20-to-22 points a night and could teach Joakiim Noah some post moves.  He isn’t the best defender in the paint, but he is average, enough to get by in the NBA.  His skill set is exactly what the Bulls need.

I put Lebron James as the number two option for the Chicago Bulls during free agency.  As I re-think the situation, maybe he should move up a little bit to four  or even five, behind the combo deal of David Lee, Brad and Mike Miller at three, Dwyane Wade at four and Ray Allen at five.

He has all the ability in the world individually, but can’t help his team win.

The writers at Bleacher Report agree with me.

What if Lebron James is Joe Johnson, just a better athlete.  All season both of these players put up great numbers and helped there team get to the playoffs in great positions.  Lebron helped the Cavaliers get the number one seed and Johnson helped Atlanta get a three seed. Lebron did better because he is a better athlete, but they both crack under pressure in the playoffs.

James might get signed to the Bulls and get them a championship in a year and then they get to the finals a few years and then struggle.  The Bulls don’t need a drama queen, they need a blue collar athlete.

The Atlanta Hawks, who were called an elite team in the eastern conference, were swept by the Orlando Magic in the semifinals of the playoffs.  They were out matched, but the problem is  Johnson was reported to have given up in game 3, game 4 and on his teammates and fans.

This is what hurts Johnson.  Without this negativity at the end of  a really good season for a guy who is on the verge of super stardom, he is a top four option for the Bulls.  This year he was a starter in the All-Star game and named to the All NBA third team.

Since arriving in Atlanta in 2005 from the Phoenix Suns, Johnson has been an all around fantastic player.  He has average 20 or more points a game in each of these seasons.  He averages four rebounds and five assists a game for his career.

Did I mention,  he is a shooter, something the Bulls are in desperate need of.  Derrick Rose is the only player on Chicago’s roster who can hit mid-range to three balls with any consistency, but he’s still not a great shooter.

This season he was 129-for-350 from the three point line, which is 37%. The best long distance shooter for the Bulls this season was Kirk Hinrich, who shot 37%, 104-of-280.  If Johnson started the game with his shooting and Hinrich came off the bench with his extra effort, the Bulls could open their game.  Instead of stagnant half court sets that only result in baskets when Rose creates something or from an offensive rebound, they could spread the floor and run plays designed to get an open shot.  This seemed unheard of in the 2009-2010 season for the Bulls.

He hasn’t had a history with injuries and is a big minute guy.  In nine NBA seasons,  he plays 37 minutes a night.  The Bulls need a high scoring star who can stay healthy.

Another question I have about Johnson is his performance in the clutch.  I stated his season shooting stats above.  In the playoffs, he was awful including, 9-of-41 from three and dropped from 21 ppg to 17.

If the Bulls picked him up,  he would be the number one scoring option with Rose 1.B.  Chicago has a young roster, so they will probably be looking for some leadership from their free agency buy.

Can Johnson step up in the clutch and the playoffs?

He’s got the skills and will only be 30 years old going into next season.  He has proven to be a number one scoring option with Atlanta, but has been a bust in the playoffs and lacks motivation to win at an elite level.

The Bulls need a shooter desperately, but they also need a leader for their young roster.  Johnson would definitely help them on the court stat wise, he would be a perfect fit.  Mentally, he can’t give up on the Bulls or Chicago fans like he did the Hawks and Atlanta.

The what-ifs overshadow Johnson’s talent, this is why he falls to eighth in the top ten options for the Bulls come free agency July 1st.

Tomorrow will be #7 in the ten part series.

It might sound silly to say Salmons since the Bulls just sent him to Milwaukee for expiring contracts on the trade deadline, but in Milwaukee he proved can be a scoring option.  In Chicago, he was inconsistent.  He goes to Milwaukee and turned their season around from not making the playoffs to gaining the sixth seed  and scaring the Atlanta Hawks in the first round by forcing a seven game series.

The Bucks did this without center Andrew Bogut, who was a legitimate top three or four center in the league.  Rookie Brandon Jennings had something to do with the Bucks hot streak, but it was Salmon’s performances that had fans saying “Fear the Deer”.

I have said before, Salmons did the same thing to Chicago.  In Sacramento he was inconsistent and not a main player for the Kings who had little to nothing with an injured Kevin Martin.  He gets traded to the Bulls and shines at the end of the season, helping the Bulls make the playoffs and give the Boston Celtics a run for their money.

This year, Chicago played the Sacramento role and Milwaukee took the place of Chicago.

If he can play at the level he has at the end of the last two seasons, for an entire season, he is worth taking him back.  Salmons could be the two guard the Bulls had and now need to get back.  Maybe they made a mistake by dealing him.

In his 30 games for the Bucks he averaged 20 ppg, shot 47% from the field and 87% from the free throw line. During his 51 games with the Bulls he averaged 13 ppg, shot 42% from the field and 79% from the line.

An argument could be made about who is on the Bucks compared to the Bull’s top scores Rose and Deng.  The Bucks have Bogut and Jennings.  Jennings creates his own shot and Bogut is a serious inside scoring presence the Bulls don’t have.  Noah’s name could be thrown in, but he scores off of hustle not set up plays.

Rudy Gay has plenty of potential.  He has averaged 18 ppg, 6 rpg and is 45% from the field in his four seasons in the NBA.  In these four seasons he has only missed 10 games; he can stay healthy.

This season he was ranked third in the NBA in minutes played, 13th in total steals, 15th in field goals made, , 16th in total points and 18th in ppg.

Gay can take it outside, a career 35% three-point shooter, or can cut through the lane and throw it down. Gay isn’t automatic from 3, but can hit when he is on.  His dashing to the basket skills can be compared to Desmond Mason and Darius Miles when they were in their prime.

The problem with picking up Gay is,  he isn’t proven.  As a player, he has never been to the post season.  He can’t be held to full blame because of the Memphis roster, but he is a team captain and is looked to help this team get better.

They do have an up and coming star center in Marc Gasol, guard O.J. Mayo and all-star forward in Zach Randolf.  Gay is the all around most talented (Randolf is one of the best interior scorers in the league) on the team,  but he hasn’t been a leader.

The Bulls need a leader.  Rose and Hinrich try, but they’re not strong leaders.  Deng doesn’t talk or play dedicated like a leader.  Joakim Noah’s play (like Rose) could define him as a leader of the team, but it doesn’t always work.

Maybe the Bulls need a player with a voice, unfortunately, Kevin Garnett isn’t up for grabs.

Also, Gay’s play is similar to Deng.  Gay has a better jump shot but all in all, they play similar styles.  This could cause a problem with the starting line up or could help the team by having a strong scorer come off the bench.

The question is, who would come off the bench?  I’d go with Deng.  Have Rudy start and then interchange them throughout games in the two and three spots.  The Bulls would then have some length.

The reason this is a tie, is because Gay and Salmons are good at what they do, which is opposite of each other.

Salmons is a shooter, Gay is more of an inside banger who occasionally shoots outside.  Gay is a better defender and Salmons is better at running offensive sets.

Gay is a better re-bounder, probably because of size and Salmons is a better set up man, probably because of his better ball handling skills.

Money wise, Salmons is making $5 mill this year and Gay $3 mill.  Both have another possible year on their current contracts offering each another million.

If the Bulls picked one of these guys up, they could still shop for other prominent pieces like true shooters in Kyle Korver, Mike Miller or J.J. Redick.  If the Bulls want to continue to build defense,  Ronnie Brewer is available.

Number ten is a tie between John Salmons and Rudy Gay.  Between these two players, would you rather have Gay come from Memphis or Salmons come back to Chicago?

Click in tomorrow for # 9 of the top 10 summer free agent options for the Chicago Bulls.

EAST

Cleveland Cavaliers VS Chicago Bulls- Cavs in 5

I would love for the Bulls to win more than one game or even take the series, but it will not happen.  Lebron James is just too much for the Bulls to handle.  The Bulls played a great game, but still lost game 2.  Enough said,  I’m going to pout in silence…..

Boston Celtics VS Miami Heat (three old men VS a young superstar)- Boston Celtics (old men) 4-3

This is going to be a great series.  Dwayne Wade is a superstar and will win one or two games by himself.  If he gets any help at all they will win one more and could possibly take the series.  Kevin Garnett is not the same KG we know and love, plus he is out for game two because of his elbow.  The Boston Celtics have a champion swagger.  Paul Pierce will not give up for anybody and Rajon Rondo has become a great basketball player.  I think the Celtics have too much for Wade to win the series.

Atlanta Hawks VS Milwaukee Bucks- Hawks sweep

Atlanta has a balanced scoring attack.  They have perimeter shooters in Mike Bibby and Jamal Crawford.  They have physical players who will take it inside Josh Smith and Marvin Williams.  Plus,  they have the most underrated player in the NBA, Joe Johnson.  He can shoot, defend, rebound and is a good teammate.  Andrew Bogut is out for the Bucks.  With him in the lineup the Bucks could have won a few games, but not without him.  John Salmons and Brandon Jennings won’t give the team enough to get them past the Hawks.

Orlando Magic VS Charlotte Bobcats- Magic sweep

Dwight Howard is a beast.  Charlotte’s Tyson Chandler is not going to contain Howard.  The Magic are the best three point shooting team in the history of the NBA. Enough said.

WEST

LA Lakers VS Oklahoma City Thunder- Lakers in 6

Kobe or Ron Artest against Kevin Durant is the best one-on-one match-up in the first round.  Kobe is a solid defender and Artest is one of the best in the game.  Durant is the best scorer in the game.  This should be fun to watch.  The Lakers are just too good.  They have a great veteran team who are going to teach the young Thunder lessons.  The Thunder are a good team and will find enough scoring to get a couple games, but Kobe and company will win the series.

Denver Nuggets VS Utah Jazz- Nuggets in 6

The Jazz are banged up.  The Nuggets have something to prove.  They were at one time the number two seed in the west but fell to fourth after a bad stretch of loses.  Kenyon Martin is back to add physical inside play.  The Nuggets will miss George Karl but they will find a way to win the series in six games.

Phoenix Suns VS Portland Trailblazers- Suns in 6

I wanted to give the series to Portland, but, I can’t do it with Brandon Roy on the IR.  Roy is the difference maker.  Portland has a good team, but I think Amare Stoudemire and Steve Nash will take care of business.

Dallas Mavericks VS San Antonio Spurs- Dallas in 5

The boring Spurs are done.  They can’t stay healthy and Tim Duncan is not even a shell of his former self.  Dallas is rolling.  Dirk is playing at an MVP level and Jason Kidd is playing like he is 24 instead of 37.  Kidd is still the best passer in the game and can add 15-to-20 points any given night.  Plus, Caron Butler and Brendan Hayword have come from Washington and added key pieces the Mavericks were missing.

The biggest event is the Boston Celtic’s Kevin Garnett getting banned from game two in his team’s series against the Miami Heat.  In game one, teammate Paul Pierce fell to the court and laid in pain.  Miami Heat’s Quentin Richardson stood over him and said some words.  With 40 seconds left in the game, Garnett came to protect Pierce, elbowing Richardson in the face.  KG is not allowed to enter the arena for game two and Richardson has to pay a $25,000 fine.

I like Garnett supporting his wounded teammate.  I like the NBA being the authority they wish to be and give the suspension and the fine.  What was Q doing?  If you knock down somebody and feel proud of it, cool, but it was wrong of him to further humiliate Pierce.  Richardson is a good player but why did he have to be ignorant?  Guess it was his 15 seconds of fame in his first playoff game since 2004 when he was with the Phoenix Suns.

Ron Artest VS Kevin Durant is the must see one-on-one match up in the first round.  Artest is arguably the best man defender in the league.  He is pesky and very seldom leaves his man; seldom as in never.  Durant is the best scorer in the league,  well at least to the points per game stat.  He became the youngest player in NBA history to win the scoring crown by scoring 30 ppg this season.

In game 1, Durant was held way below his averages.  Instead of 30 points, he was held to 24.  Six points isn’t much but he didn’t get those 24 from his scoring ability.  Nine of those points came from his 9-of-11 from the free throw line.  Durant averaged 47% from the field but was 7-of-24 in game one.  Artest and Kobe Bryant blanketed him.  Durant couldn’t even get rebounds, his eight a game, fell to two.  Without Durant, the Thunder are destined to be swept.  Lakers won game one, 87-79.

This is the biggest surprise.  The Portland Trailblazers beat the Suns without Brandon Roy.  With Roy in the lineup, the Blazers have the young talent possessing the ability to beat the Suns.  The Trailblazers should not beat the Suns without him.  Roy brings 22 pppg and 5 rebounds and assists to the box score every game.  The Blazers did not let the loss of their leader effect them.

Andre Miller, not know for his scoring, dropped 31 points and eight assists.  LaMarcus Aldridge added 22 points and Marcus Camby gradded 17 rebounds.  If they continue to play like this,  the Suns may find themselves booted in the first round.  Once Roy was put on the Injured Reserve list,  the Suns were the huge favorite.  They better come to play because Portland is hungry for a playoff series win.

The Orlando Magic beat the Charlotte Bobcats 98-89, not a big surprise.  The thing for me, was Stephen Jackson.  Jackson is known as a pure scorer who lacks dedication.  He hyper extended his knee against the Magic in game one.  Instead of giving up or saying, man, I can’t play.  He said, “No Chance in Hell, I’m not going to play in game two.”

This is awesome for the Bobcats.  He is one of their main leaders.  He has a reputation.  A statement like this, might change the outcome of a few games in the series.  The Magic will still win, but Jackson’s approach could make the series interesting.

Milwaukee Bucks rookie point guard Brandon Jennings is amazing.  In game one against the Atlanta Hawks he dropped 34 points.  The problem is, he didn’t have much help against the balanced attack of the Hawks.  Joe Johnson scored 22, Mike Bibby 19, Jamal Crawford 17, Al Horford 15, and both Josh Smith and Marvin Williams had 12.  John Salmons will have to score more than 16 without Andrew Bogut in the lineup.

One more thing.  The Dallas Mavericks are going to be awfully tough to beat.  Jason Kidd, Caron Butler and Dirk Nowitzki are rolling.  They beat the Spurs only by six, 100-94, but the aging Spurs had no defensive answers for the three stars scoring.

MVP

LEBRON JAMES

James finished the season averaging 29.7 points per game which was second in the league, only behind Kevin Durant. James probably could have took the scoring crown, but he sat out the last four or five games of the season to rest his legs. LBJ is putting up video game numbers. Not only is he scoring 30 a game, he is also also sixth in assists with 8.6 and grabs seven rebounds a game. James is dominant in all facets of the game. We all know the deal, I don’t think there is anyone not voting for LBJ

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DWIGHT HOWARD

He is the best big man in the game and has been the only one considered dominant since Shaq in his prime.  He leads the league in rebounds 13rpg, blocks 2.78 and in field goal percentage with 61%.  He is a beast.  No one wants to come into the lane against the Magic.  Howard owns the paint.  I don’t think this is even close.  Howard is hands down the defensive player of the year

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR

JAMAL CRAWFORD

Crawford has been amazing coming off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks.  He has always been a scorer, but usually had to create for himself because nobody could score on the early 2000′s Bulls squads or the New York Knicks.  Now, he is on a team with players who can score from anywhere.  This has opened his opportunities and all around game.  Crawford could easily start over Mike Bibby, but why fix it, if it isn’t broken.  Broken is a crazy statement,  it is working to perfection for Crawford and the team.  He is averaging 18 ppg and adds three assists to every contest.  His season high is 33 and could drop 20 on any given night.  Dallas’s Jason Terry defended his sixth man award from last year, but Crawford has just been too good.

COACH OF THE YEAR

SCOTT BROOKS

Brooks has taken a horrible team who couldn’t win a game to a team who at one point was the fifth seed in the tough western conference and a 50 game win season.  At the beginning of the year, they were expected to be better than last year, but only win 35-to-38 games.  No one in their right mind would think they would win 50 and make it to the post season.  Of course, they are going to play the Lakers, but some say they could win two games, including Greg Anthony.  I think they could too.  Sure, it helps to have Durant, the NBA’s leading scorer, but he still needs a coach to help him get his team involved and play winning basketball.  Russell Westbrook is developing into a top ten point guard in the league and the Thunder’s role players are playing their roles at an extremely high level.  The props for individual and team accomplishments has to fall to Scotty  for what he has done in Oklahoma City.

WHO DO YOU THINK IS DESERVING OF THE NBA AWARDS?