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Inside the NBA Posted: Wednesday April 16, 2003 10:11 AMIn a tight race for SI's annual honors, Tim Duncan retains his MVP crown By Ian Thomsen MVP Tim Duncan, Spurs. Yes, Kevin Garnett had the finest season of his eight-year career, carrying the Timberwolves. But Duncan's supporting cast is not much better than Garnett's, his numbers are comparable, and at week's end San Antonio had the league's best record -- and nine more wins than Minnesota.
Rookie of the Year Yao Ming, Rockets. The 7'5" Yao proved to be the rare player who can put up good numbers and consistently make his teammates better. Defensive Player of the Year Ben Wallace, Pistons. At week's end he had a shot at becoming the first player to lead the NBA in both boards (15.4 per game) and blocks (3.15) in successive seasons. Most Improved Player Jason Williams, Grizzlies. He had been written off as erratic and grossly overpaid -- until Hubie Brown became his coach in November. Through Sunday, Williams ranked third in the league in assists (8.2 per game) and first among starting point guards in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.71). Executive of the Year Joe Dumars, Pistons. Dumars brought in a new starting backcourt by dealing Jerry Stackhouse to the Wizards for Richard Hamilton and signing free agent Chauncey Billups. Detroit claimed the Central Division crown -- and it still has room under the luxury-tax threshold to improve this summer. Sixth Man Bobby Jackson, Kings. He could start for many teams, but he's content to spark a title contender with his playmaking, scoring and defense. Lifetime Achievement Award Jerry Sloan, Jazz. Though he hasn't won a championship or a Coach of the Year award, Sloan's teams have epitomized selflessness and hard-nosed play while averaging 52 wins in 15 seasons with Utah. Lifetime Bonehead Award Ricky Davis, Cavaliers. One rebound shy of a triple double, against the Jazz on March 16, Davis tried to get it by retrieving his own intentional miss -- at the wrong basket. Worst Acquisition Vin Baker, Celtics. Sending Kenny Anderson to the Sonics was a horrible trade for Boston even before Baker (5.2 points per game, $56.3 million guaranteed through 2005-06) left the team on Feb. 27 to "address personal issues." Reality Bites Award Michael Jordan, Wizards. No matter that he averaged 20 points at age 40, Jordan missed the playoffs for the second straight season since coming back. Whichever team he runs next year -- the Wizards or the expansion team in Charlotte -- expect MJ to gamble less on young and unproven talent. Biggest Surprise Eric Musselman, Warriors. The youngest coach in the league at 38, Musselman breathed life into Golden State, which finished second to the Mavericks in scoring while making a run at the postseason. Biggest Flop Clippers. By refusing to re-sign any of his free agents last summer, owner Donald Sterling removed any hope of cohesion on a team with enough talent to advance a round or two in the playoffs. Worst Performance in a Nonplaying Role Qyntel Woods, Trail Blazers. Portland police say that Woods, a rookie forward, was pulled over last month for driving 83 mph in a 55-mph zone and was asked to show his license. Woods, whose license had been revoked, instead handed over two credit cards and his basketball trading card. When police found a small amount of marijuana in the car, Woods said that he had been smoking pot for three years and had tried to quit but was "addicted." Issue date: April 21, 2003
For more Inside the NBA see this week's issue of Sports Illustrated, on newsstands Wednesday, April 16. Click here to subscribe to SI.
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