Pre-pre-season predictions

We are at the dead point in the NBA off-season, when most of the big names have been signed and most of the big trades have already happened. Nothing is going on and it is too early to talk about training camp. It's the abyss. The worst time of year.

Well, I'll help you get through it by breaking the mold and giving you an unprecedented set of pre pre-season predictions for who will win the NBA yearly awards. Enjoy!

MVP: Shaquille O'Neal

He is down 24 pounds, looks amazing, and is in the Eastern Conference. The Miami Heat are doing a nice job of putting talent around him and with all the media buzz following an "angry Shaq" he is sure to garner attention while he dominates.

Throw in the fact the division they are in looks awful and this team could win 60 games.

Shaq should lead the league in scoring fairly easily this season.

Heck, he might even start an All-Star game this season ending his two-year drought.

Add it all together and it equals resurgence for the Big Aristotle.

Most Improved Player: Stromile Swift

Swift averaged 9.4 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks a game in 19.8 minutes. Jump that to 40 minutes a game and you are looking at 18.8 points, 9.8 rebounds, and three blocks a game. Those are great numbers!

Although unsigned at this point, wherever Swift ends up, he should get a bump in minutes. He may not put up the aforementioned numbers, but he will definitely up his production with more playing time.

Either way, I see him making the jump to All-Star status this season. This is enough to win you the MIP award these days.

Rookie of the Year: Emeka Okafor

No doubt in my mind.

He will get all the playing time he needs in Charlotte, he is a great player and an even better person, and his play at UConn during the Tournament suggests big things.

He might be the only rookie who makes a significant impact this season, hence unanimous ROY.

Defensive Player of the Year: Andrei Kirilenko

I wrote about him in a previous article. The Jazz should be improved and, as a result, Kirilenko should get more national press than he has in previous years.

He averaged 2.8 blocks and 1.92 steals a game last year. He could average over three blocks and three steals a game this year with his long arms and athletic ability. No one has ever done that before.

If he puts up these numbers there will be no other choice for the award.

Well there you have it, short and sweet.

Next week I will write about who I think the Comeback Player of the Year will be, and who the most overrated and underrated players in the NBA are. Have a good week.

You can see more of Stephen's writing at http://www.thesportmanagementnetwork.org or discuss this article with the him at http://smasters1.proboards31.com/index.cgi.