NBA midseason awards

In just under two months, the NBA has managed to cram in 33 games of basketball. And in this lockout-shortened season, that means we're at the league's halfway point.

We've seen plenty of good (especially in South Beath), a lot of bad (lockout basketball, everybody), and some horrible (pretty much everything Javale McGee- and Charlotte Bobcats-related).

And with that, it's time for the Double Dribble's first NBA midseason awards. We've got 20 awards to choose, starting with your standard fare (Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year) and ending with the absurd (the year's worst sequence of basketball).

Envelopes, please:

James' 2011-12 season may go down as one of the best in league history. He's averaging a career high in points per 36 minutes (27.4 per game) and rebounds per 36 minutes (8.0 per game). His shooting percentage has shot up 3.8 percent points to 54.8 percent. James has been unguardable on offense, and impenetrable on defense. And most of all, the Heat have emerged as the best team in the NBA -- by far -- and look like they'll cruise to an NBA title.

Does everybody on the planet but DeRozan understand that his forte is around the rim? DeRozan's athleticism gives him limitless talent, but he still insists on heaving close to two 3-pointers per game (he's a career 21.4 percent shooter from downtown) and settling for jump shots. With any discipline, DeRozan, just 22, could turn into one of the league's premiere offensive threats. Instead, it is taking him 13.7 shots per game to average 15.5 points per game.

No, a 12-17 record isn't anything to write home about. But look at the Cavs' roster. Irving is the only reason that Cleveland is still hanging on for dear life in the playoff race. He is averaging 21.7 points per 36 minutes after being labeled as one of the weakest No. 1 picks in NBA Draft history. On top of that, in his first season, at 19 years old, Irving is shooting 48.5 percent from the floor, 41.9 percent from three and 84.6 percent from the line. He's not your typical point guard, but Irving has stud written all over him.

From last season to this season, Harden's improved his points, rebounds and assists per 36 minutes, is shooting a higher field goal percentage, 3-point percentage and free throw percentage, and is actually taking fewer shots per 36 minutes. He's been the epitome of efficiency this year, averaging 16.8 points per game on just 10.3 shots per night. And without him, Oklahoma City would be dangerously thin on offense.

Pop is again reminding everyone who the league's best delegator of minutes is. In a jam-packed schedule, you thought a veteran Spurs team would have trouble keeping its legs fresh. Popovich has managed to make that a non-issue.

Anderson finally earned a permanent role in the starting lineup in his fourth season in the NBA, and hasn't disappointed. Now being relied upon heavily in Orlando, Anderson has upped his shooting percentage and 3-point percentage from last season. He is averaging 16.3 points per game, and could be looking at a nice payday in free agency.

Brown played me. I thought for sure, on a one-year deal in score-happy Phoenix, Brown would break out as a threat on offense. Instead, he's been in and out of the Suns' rotation, and is shooting an abysmal 38.8 percent from the floor. Now 26, the time is running out for Brown to figure it out and become a starting shooting guard.

It's because of Paul that the Clippers are one of the favorites to win the Western Conference. He's been the team's most reliable scorer (18.6 points per game), has mastered the offense, looks unconscious from three (44.2 percent), and has hit several late, clutch shots (18 in the last 5:00 of games within five points) that have either kept Los Angeles in the game, or given them the win.

Yeah, if he was healthy, Gordon wouldn't be in this situation. But in the trade David Stern wanted for New Orleans, the prize part of the deal, Gordon, has played just two games, and failed to come to an agreement on an extension to stay with the Hornets.

Nash clearly doesn't care that he is 38 years old. In his 16th NBA season, the veteran point guard again looks on his way to a 50-40-90 season. He is leading the league in assists per game (11.0), and alone has Phoenix with a (way) outside chance of making the playoffs.

I won't give Kidd any credit for Dallas being near the top of the West. The deterioration of his offensive game has hit a new low, as he is now shooting a career-worst 32.5 percent from the field. And for a guy who loves to chuck threes, 30.4 percent from downtown isn't going to cut it.

Did you see Nikola Pekovic averaging 12.4 points and 7.1 rebounds in 24 minutes per game? Or Kevin Love taking the next step and flirting with a 25-15 season? Or Ricky Rubio stepping in and displaying some of the best court vision in the league his rookie season? In the packed Western Conference, the Wolves have a real shot at sneaking into the playoffs.

New York got a head start here, winning nine of their last 11 games. As seen in Monday night's loss to New Jersey, the potential is there to be an incredibly cohesive offensive unit, seen in the game's opening minutes. But the last 36 minutes showed that it will take time. It's on Mike D'Antoni to minimize the learning curve.

Boston can't even beat Detroit right now. That's how bad it has gotten. Offensively, it's like the Celtics have lost their identity. It's nice to see Rajon Rondo flashing the ability to score 35 points, but that's not how Boston will win. If they're not careful, Cleveland could sneak up behind them and steal the eight-seed.

There is nothing not to like about the "New York Nets" uniforms. Simple, classic, and clean. New Jersey should consider going to them full-time next year in Brooklyn.

I understand showing Mardi Gras pride, and incorporating it into the look. But when watching the Hornets, its hard not to think that there are three teams on the court. That's distracting, and uniforms shouldn't be distracting.

On Jan. 30, Lob City hit the perimeter and drained four 3-pointers in 45 seconds against Oklahoma City. Let's just say my excitement was similar to that of the commentators.

The following video from Feb. 6, 2012, made both of the Wizards' announcers laugh, and proceeded to go viral. Easy to see why.