Lebron's Time

NEXT YEAR. Honestly, how many MVP voters have uttered those exact words in the past couple of seasons when choosing not to pencil LeBron James's name on their MVP ballots? He's only [insert age here]. I'll vote for him the next year. Well, next year is here. After another season of staggering scoring (28.4 points per game at week's end), precision passing (7.2 assists) and rebounding numbers that make big men blush (7.7 per game)—and with the Cavaliers poised to finish atop the Eastern Conference for the first time in the franchise's 39-year history—James, the NBA's modern-day Oscar Robertson, deserves to be recognized as the league's top player.

The competition didn't make it easy. After two injury-plagued seasons the Heat's Dwyane Wade has reemerged as the league's top scorer (29.8 points per game) while ranking eighth in assists (7.5) and second in steals (2.3). The Lakers' Kobe Bryant (27.0 points, 5.0 assists) is only slightly off his 2008 MVP pace, and Hornets point guard Chris Paul (22.5 points, 11.0 assists, 2.8 steals) is statistically better than last year, when he was runner-up for the award.

The clinching reason to choose the forward: His defense is now catching up with his offense. "If he keeps this up," says one East head coach, "nobody should ever beat him for MVP. Nobody." Runner-up: Bryant, G, Lakers
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Derrick Rose, G, Bulls Rose (right) sprinted ahead of the field in November, when he averaged 18.4 points and 6.0 assists, and he never looked back. Manning the NBA's most complex position as if he were a 10-year vet, Rose has directed a prolific Chicago attack (102.0 points per game) while treating the basketball like a Fabergé egg: His 2.47 assist-to-turnover ratio is tops among rookies. Runner-up: O.J. Mayo, G, Grizzlies

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dwight Howard, C, Magic The right knee injury that limited Kevin Garnett's playing time opened the door for a new winner, and Howard has bulldozed his way through it. Frequently the smallish Magic's first and last line of defense, Howard is the primary reason Orlando has improved its scoring defense by 4.4 points per game. Runner-up: Garnett, F, Celtics

SIXTH MAN
Jason Terry, G, Mavericks Take note, Allen Iverson: Coming off the bench can be a good thing. Through Sunday, Terry (above) led all backups in scoring (19.6 points per game) while single-handedly outproducing the opposing bench 24 times this season. Terry has the best scoring average by a reserve since Milwaukee's Ricky Pierce (23.0) in 1989--90. Runner-up: Nate Robinson, G, Knicks

MOST IMPROVED
Devin Harris, G, Nets In the off-season New Jersey redesigned its offense around the speed and penetration of last year's trade deadline acquisition, and he has delivered, with averages of 21.8 points and 7.0 assists; the only players with better numbers in both those categories are James, Wade, and Paul. Harris's 7.0 jump in points per game from last season is the highest in the league. Runner-up: Paul Millsap, F, Jazz

COACH OF THE YEAR
Stan Van Gundy, Magic He overcame the loss of an All-Star point guard (Jameer Nelson) by instantly incorporating a new starter acquired at midseason (Rafer Alston). In the process Van Gundy has shaped a team of fourth-quarter killers: At week's end Orlando was an NBA-best 48--1 when leading with five minutes remaining. Runner-up: Mike Brown, Cavaliers

EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Mark Warkentien, Nuggets With his team on the brink of rebuilding and his hands tied by financial constraints, Warkentien changed the course of the franchise with one move. In November he dealt Iverson to Detroit for point guard Chauncey Billups, who has molded Denver's individual talents into a cohesive and thriving unit. Runner-up: Otis Smith, Magic

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