In this edition of On The Ball, NATION basketball writer Justin Marville continues his review of the first round by picking some early season award winners.
NOPE, no more predictions from these parts.
That’s right, I’m making my out of the forecasting business. These awards aren’t conjecture over who will win major individual prizes at the end of the season, but more so recognition of the best performers for the first half of the year.
Then again, this list may well serve as a calculated guess at the award winners – meaning I’m not really out of the predicting business after all.
Most Improved Player: Stefan Clarke (Urban Vybz St John’s Sonics)
The traditional thinking here would be to go with Warriors’ Seon Hilliman, the player with the highest jump in scoring from last season to this one (7.6 to 14.4), but that is a case of him walking into a starting position and getting a lot more shots rather than any example of clear improvement.
I guess similar could be said of Clarke, who has obviously benefited from the exodus of guards Ramon Simmons and Rahiim Simmons and whose average has moved from 9.2 points to 15.6.
But unlike most players who take on additional offensive responsibilities, Clarke’s field goal percentage hasn’t dipped, especially from three-point range where the underrated wing sits among the league leaders in that category.
Now if only that rise in percentage could equate in a similar upswing in wins for St John’s.
Coach Of The Year: Frederick Bynoe (Warriors)
Adrian Craigwell is a good pick here, considering the surprising run of a Cavs team that lack a true No.1 option and yet have still remained in playoff contention with six wins in their first eight games.
Pound for pound, though, that Station Hill side are times better talent-wise than Warriors, who lie just one game back in the loss column despite missing star forward Nicholai Williams for the early part of the season.
To put this into perspective: except for Williams, none of the Warriors players would start for any of the teams ahead of them, and yet the Dayrells Road men are barely a half-game out of the postseason picture.
A fluke? Hardly. This is all the workings of a wily veteran coach who knows how to wring every little bit out of his players while always fielding a top defensive unit capable of winning games.
Most Offensive Player: Akeem Marsh (Urban Vybz St John’s Sonics)
This one isn’t even nearly surprising, considering the dearth of scoring options in Gall Hill. And with Rommell Garnes out for the foreseeable future, I’m sure Marsh’s (19.8 ppg) lead on Charles Vanderpool (18 ppg) will only grow.
The only problem is that while the shot attempts have risen, the prolific big man’s shooting numbers are down because opposing defences focus all their efforts on him.
Of course, those percentages would trend back upwards were Marsh to start closer to the ring. But that will also make it that much easier for teams to deny him the ball and surround him with even more defenders.
Best Defensive Player: Charles Vanderpool (Smalta Pinelands)
If Marsh’s prior selection was straight forward, then picking Vanderpool here is a clear no-brainer.
First, he already has the previous distinction of being the reigning Defensive Player Of The Year. Secondly, Vanderpool leads the league in blocks per game (4.3), again while also ranking among the top five rebounders (9.9).
Most importantly, though, the six-foot-six pogo stick stands as the most important cog in the best defensive unit there is right now, whether it is altering shots around the rim, helping and recovering on the weak side or redirecting guards off pick and rolls.
Something tells me, though, that another defensive award isn’t what he has set out to win this year.
Most Valuable Player: Charles Vanderpool
Yes, you’ve read right. And it’s not even that close.
If you doubt me then consider this; he is just one of two players currently in the top five in scoring (18 ppg – second), rebounding (9.9 – fifth) and blocked shots (4.3 – first) while propping up the league’s best squad.
The other player? Well, Ricardo Jemmott currently plies his trade on a Cougars team with a mediocre 5-4 record.
Furthermore, the last man to even finish in the top 20 of three major statistical categories – Adrian Stewart – won the MVP trophy last season.
He’s clearly the best player on the league’s best team and his impact has been at an elite level at both ends of the floor. What else could you ask for?