The first half of the 2007-08 NBA season is now complete which means it is our duty at RealGM to take a step back and analyze the first half of the season.  

There have been many surprises thus far, including the remarkable turnarounds of teams like the New Orleans Hornets, Portland Trail Blazers, and Boston Celtics along with the continued growth of today?s young superstars like Caron Butler and Chris Paul.  We sifted through the numbers and all the tape and have determined the rightful owners of the NBA?s midseason hardware.  

Most Valuable Player

Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets

There are plenty of contenders this season for the league?s most prestigious individual award but none as deserving as the speedy third-year point guard out of Wake Forest.  His 20.7 points, 10.5 assists, and 2.63 steals per game are all career highs for the budding superstar, but more impressive a feat is that when he reads his morning newspaper and flips to the sports section, he can?t help but notice his New Orleans Hornets sitting pretty in first place in the Western Conference.  The ascent of the franchise from the depths of mediocrity has been squarely on the narrow shoulders of the dynamic 22-year old playmaker.  Paul?s leadership and ability to make his teammates better has been a primary reason for this selection, and more importantly, what makes him the most valuable player in the league this season.

Also considered:  
Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Rookie of the Year

Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks

As much as everyone would rather me select the marquee member of this very deep rookie class, I have opted to give the midseason Rookie of the Year award to Al Horford over Kevin Durant.  While it is hard to ignore Durant?s prowess as an entirely capable NBA scorer (19.4 points per game), it is equally hard to ignore the importance of Horford on this season?s Cinderella Hawks.  Horford has been a rock in the middle for the youthful Hawks' team and has put up stout numbers himself: 9.0 points, 9.9 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks per game.  But the one key stat where Horford out-duels Durant is in the wins column, where Horford?s Hawks currently double that of Durant?s woeful Sonics (18 to 9).  

Also considered:
Kevin Durant, Seattle Supersonics
Sean Williams, New Jersey Nets
Juan Carlos Navarro, Memphis Grizzlies

Defensive Player of the Year

Marcus Camby, Denver Nuggets

After taking home his first career Defensive Player of the Year award last season, Marcus Camby is back at it again.  He is averaging career-highs in blocks (3.93) and rebounds (14.4).  His dominance in the paint has deterred penetrating guards from attacking the basket and has the injury-ravaged Denver Nuggets only four games out of the top spot in the West.  His absurdly long arms have altered many games with his uncanny ability to block shots.  He has blocked five or more shots in 17 games already this season of which Denver is 13-4 in those game and has also dazzled the fans with two games of 10 or more (2-0).

Also considered:
Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

Coach of the Year

Eddie Jordan, Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards have been shorthanded all season after superstar point guard Gilbert Arenas rushed back too quickly from last season?s knee injury only to find himself requiring further surgery.  Eddie Jordan has been forced to prepare his team for games in which they had to play with no true point guard after injuries also sidelined backup point guard Antonio Daniels.  But Coach Jordan has preached defensive tenacity and has handed over the keys to the car to emerging star Caron Butler, who has paired with Antawn Jamison to lead this team to a 23-13 record since a sluggish 0-5 start.  Now just imagine if Jordan had the explosive Arenas to add to his arsenal all season long.  

Also considered:
Byron Scott, New Orleans Hornets
Nate McMillan, Portland Trail Blazers
Mike Woodson, Atlanta Hawks

Sixth Man

Ben Gordon, Chicago Bulls

Gordon has been a sparkplug for the Bulls off the bench.  Despite the woeful start to the season for the Bulls, they have gotten back on track lately.  Ben Gordon has been a major reason for that as he has been counted on for ?instant offense? off the bench.  All five of his 30-point games have come when he was left out of the starting five, and the Bulls have gone 7-7 since his move back to the bench, relying heavily on the 27.0 points per game he is averaging in that role.  Hopefully the injury to his wrist is not severe, and we can expect to see Ben Gordon hoisting up the 2007-08 Sixth Man Award this season.

Also considered:
Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
Josh Childress, Atlanta Hawks
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio

Most Improved Player

Beno Udrih, Sacramento Kings

An early-season trade sent career afterthought Beno Udrih from the defending champion San Antonio Spurs to the Sacramento Kings, and he has capitalized on his newfound opportunity to play.  The Kings were hit hard by injuries to their starting backcourt members Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin and were in need of a capable stopgap at the point.  In came Beno, and boom ? Kings win games.  The emergence of Udrih and his 13.3 points, 4.4 assists, and 1.11 steals per game have kept this surging Kings' team within an arm?s length of a potential playoff position.  While the return of Bibby and Martin will surely lessen Beno?s minutes on the court, it will not diminish his impact on the hearts of fans across the capital of California.  

Also considered:
Jason Maxiell, Detroit Pistons
Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers
Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors

Biggest Disappointment

Miami Heat

A team that is one year removed from a championship stocked with superstars Shaquille O?Neal and Dwyane Wade, a surefire Hall of Fame coach in Pat Riley, and a very talented supporting cast is definitely not supposed to be the bottom feeder of the league.  After finishing the first 41 games with an 8-33 record, including a fifteen game losing streak, the Miami Heat are without a doubt the biggest disappointment of the first half.  

Also considered:
Houston Rockets
New York Knicks
Chicago Bulls

Feel free to contact Jason M. Williams with your thoughts.  He can be reached at Jason.Williams@RealGM.com for comments or questions.