TNT honors Byron Scott, Chris Paul and David West
TNT analysts Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith announced their “Insider Awards,” honoring the best in the NBA this season, last week. New Orleans Hornets coach Byron Scott was their pick for Coach of the Year and Hornets guard Chris Paul was their selection as MVP, although Smith had co-MVPs and also honored Kobe Bryant. Hornets forward David West was Barkley’s pick for Most Improved Player.
Coach of the Year
Smith – Byron Scott (New Orleans Hornets): “When you have the best record in the West (Conference) this late in the season and you go from where you were last year (you deserve to be named Coach of the Year). (Byron Scott has) been to the NBA Finals twice (with New Jersey), (he’s) proven that he can coach and (he’s) done it with a talented team but not as talented as he did with New Jersey.”
Barkley – Byron Scott (New Orleans Hornets): “This is easy; I’ve got to go with Byron Scott (for Coach of the Year), (Celtics head coach) Doc Rivers is a close second. Then you’ve got two guys who are not going to win it in Maurice Cheeks in Philadelphia and Reggie Theus in Sacramento. There’s not a single person in this world that thought the New Orleans Hornets would have the best record in the West (Conference).”
Most Valuable Player
Barkley – Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets): “My MVP is Chris Paul for the same criteria that they have given Steve Nash and Dirk Nowitzki (the MVP Award in recent years). Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA but Chris Paul on the New Orleans Hornets with the best record in the West (Conference) where they have seven legit contenders.”
Smith – Chris Paul and Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers): “I’m going to make a stand right now. Because I had Chris Paul as the MVP and I had a co-MVP because I couldn’t decide between the two. So put Kobe (Bryant) in there (as co-MVP). I want to see both guys do it all because I like them both. Tonight I will make a stand because the first half of the season, Kevin Garnett was the best player, Kobe Bryant was second. The second half of the season, Chris Paul was the best player, Kobe Bryant was second. So he’s been the second best player all year, his team has been consistent. I’m going with Kobe Bryant.”
Most Improved Player
Smith – Portland Trail Blazers: “I took a whole team (for the Most Improved award). Individually, there are certain guys that play well but (the TrailBlazers) improved the most over one season than any one (individual). Not just Brandon Roy, but there is a collection and a collage and a kaleidoscope of players that did well.”
Barkley – David West (New Orleans Hornets): “I took David West of the New Orleans Hornets who turned into an All-Star. He’s a terrific player who is still a young guy. He’s having a fantastic season on a team that right now has the best record in the NBA. The only other person who I thought had a chance was (Orlando Magic forward) Hedu Turkoglu.”
Defensive Player of the Year
Barkley – Bruce Bowen (San Antonio Spurs): “I’m going to go with Bruce Bowen on the best defensive team in the NBA. They’ve got the best coach in the NBA in Gregg Popovich.”
Smith – Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics): “I think (the defensive player of the year award) should go to Kevin Garnett. Overall, Kevin Garnett has changed the culture of the Boston Celtics. Last year, you could get lay-up after lay-up after jump shot after anything you wanted (against the Celtics). He’s a guy that will guard your point guard and he’s a guy that will guard your center. I think Kevin Garnett is the best defensive player in the NBA.
Sixth Man of the Year
Barkley – Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs): “(Manu Ginobili has) been the best player on the Spurs all season. Even with all (the Spurs) injuries, for them to have the best record in the West (Conference) is pretty remarkable.”
Smith – Manu Ginobili (San Antonio Spurs): “I think overall, it’s hard to pick (Manu Ginobili) as Sixth Man of the Year because he plays so many starter minutes, most sixth-men only play 18-20 minutes a game, this guy is playing the bulk of the minutes so it’s kind of a disguise that he’s the sixth man. He just comes off the bench after three minutes of the first quarter.”
Rookie of the Year
Barkley – Al Horford (Atlanta Hawks): “Al Horford has been fantastic, this guy is going to be a double-double player for the next ten years. He’s got a great body like his dad (former NBA player Tito Horford). My Hawks are going to make the playoffs, he is a great addition. Great job, (Hawks GM) Billy Knight.”
Smith – Kevin Durant (Seattle SuperSonics): “(Kevin Durant) played on a terrible team, he gets a lot of shots but he does produce. His upside is still there, he’s going to get stronger and learn how to post-up a little bit more. He’s going to rebound better because he rebounded well in college. He’s the Rookie of the Year in my book, he’s the most talented and you can’t fault him because that team is terrible.”
No ‘Shining Moment’
I’ve heard several complaints about KWTV-9 not showing CBS’ annual “One Shining Moment” video after Monday night’s NCAA championship game. KWTV meterologist Gary England pre-empted the segment for weather coverage. Fortunately, like many videos these days, you can find it on YouTube. It’s a must for KU fans, providing an opportunity to relive Mario Chalmers’ dramatic 3-point shot that sent the game in overtime. Jim Nantz’s dramatic call to the end game also made the film: “A
Kansas comeback for the history book! Rock chalk championship!
Kansas takes the title!”
I give Gary and his crew credit for not interfering with the game telecast, but I think they should have carried the video. I’m hearing more complaints about weather guessers interrupting programming, particularly from sports fans. We’ve run a few letters on the Opinion page. Local TV is a competitive business and it seems the stations try to outdo each other with their weather coverage. It’s difficult for me to criticize the weathermen because it’s hard for me to guage the severity of the storms. I’d hate to complain that they get off the air when it’s a dangerous situation.
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