Nash, Paul deserve solo credit for team success

	By helping the Hornets to respectability, Chris Paul has given the three teams that didn't draft him plenty to think about. Mitchell Layton/NBAE via Getty Images
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The NBA season is at the halfway point, and there has been no shortage of story lines in David Stern's wild kingdom:

The Pistons' quest to win 70 games. Kobe Bryant's 81-point masterpiece. Antonio Davis' venture into the stands in Chicago. And, of course, the seemingly never-ending Ron Artest saga.

Meanwhile, here's how we see the various postseason awards shaping up if the votes were held today:

MVP: Steve Nash, Suns

The reigning MVP is arguably having a better season than he did a year ago. He has kept the Suns among the league's elite, despite the injury to Amaré Stoudemire, a major reshuffling of the roster, and a new defensive-oriented game plan. It's no coincidence that guys like Raja Bell, Boris Diaw and Eddie House are having career years. Chauncey Billups, Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Allen Iverson are in the hunt as well, but Nash rates the edge right now.

Rookie of Year: Chris Paul, Hornets

The 6-foot point guard from Wake Forest (and No. 4 pick) is threatening to make it a runaway. He leads all rookies in scoring (16.1), assists (7.2), steals (2.22) and minutes played (35.8), while helping New Orleans become one of the league's most improved teams. Bucks center Andrew Bogut, Knicks forward Channing Frye, and Raptors forward Charlie Villanueva head up the race for second place.

Coach of Year: Flip Saunders, Pistons

Who would have believed that Detroit could play better than it did under Larry Brown? In his first season in Motown, Saunders opened up the offense and took the Pistons to another level. Mike D'Antoni deserves major consideration as well for totally revamping the Suns and adjusting so well to Stoudemire's absence. Hornets coach Byron Scott should get some votes too. But with Detroit on pace for 70 wins, Saunders gets the nod.

Sixth Man of Year: Mo Williams, Bucks

The 6'-1'' combo guard has been a savior for Milwaukee, winning two games with buzzer-beating 3-pointers and filling in when T.J. Ford has been injured. Williams is averaging 14.8 points (second on the Bucks) and dishing out 4.2 assists. Phoenix's Eddie House, New Orleans' Speedy Claxton, Memphis' Mike Miller, Denver's Earl Boykins, New York's Jamal Crawford, Washington's Caron Butler, Portland's Ruben Patterson, Dallas' Devin Harris and Utah's Matt Harpring head the rest of a crowded field.