Open Your Third Eye.

By Steve Kerr, Yahoo! Sports January 24, 2007 The NBA season is officially at the halfway mark, and several themes have emerged. The Dallas Mavericks and Phoenix Suns are by far the two best teams, the Atlantic Division will be won by a mediocre club, and this year's rookie class is the weakest in recent memory. Phil Jackson has his team back in contention, Pat Riley hopes to have his there by April and Dwane Casey got a raw deal. Point guards are dominating the league like never before, dominant big men are close to extinction, and running and gunning is back in style.

Most Valuable Player: Steve Nash.
Nash beats out Dirk Nowitzki and Kobe Bryant, both of whom are having spectacular seasons. But Nash is playing at a level that few, if any point guards in the history of the game, have ever played. He makes the game so easy for the Suns that they seem to get a good shot every time down the floor. His combination of shooting range, ball-handling ability, use of his left hand and an incredible understanding of the game's nuances – passing angles, defensive alignments, teammates' strengths, etc. – make him virtually impossible to guard.

Nowitzki is an unbelievable player who has led the Mavericks to the NBA's best record. He is an impossible matchup at 7-foot tall with shooting range and ball-handling skills. (Has there ever been a player like him in NBA history?) Nowitzki has elevated his game the last two years with his willingness to take the ball hard to the basket and draw fouls. He's no longer dependent on his outside shot, so regardless of whether his shot is going in, Nowitzki can dominate a game.

Bryant has overcome the one weakness that has plagued his game: an understanding of when to take over and when to involve his teammates. Kobe no longer is single-minded in his will to score. Instead, he operates on a level that allows the Los Angeles Lakers to succeed, depending on what is needed. He is taking seven fewer shots per game, but he's also shooting a career-high 47 percent to become more efficient than ever. Bryant's leadership has grown by leaps and bounds – to the point where his teammates are comfortable, confident and making plays.

Honorable mentions: Dwyane Wade (Heat), Kevin Garnett (Timberwolves) and Gilbert Arenas (Wizards).

Rookie of the Year: Andrea Bargnani.
The Toronto Raptors used the NBA's No. 1 overall pick on Bargnani, and it looks like they made the right selection in a weak draft. After a slow start, Bargnani has begun to find his confidence with increased playing time. He has three-point range, can put the ball on the floor and, at 7 feet, can shoot over the top of people. Bargnani's numbers aren't great (10 points and four rebounds in 23 minutes of action), but he is showing great potential.

Bargnani beats out Brandon Roy, who has more impressive numbers (15 points a game), but Roy missed 20 games due to a left heel injury. Still, Roy looks very impressive and should be the Portland Trail Blazers' starting two guard for a long time to come. Adam Morrison also deserves consideration for averaging 13.5 points for the Charlotte Bobcats, but he has been plagued by inconsistent shooting (37.7 percent).

Honorable mentions: Paul Millsap (Jazz), Randy Foye (Timberwolves) and Jordan Farmar (Lakers).

Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson.
Most observers felt the Lakers were several years away from being contenders when Jackson returned to the sidelines last season. However, they're contenders right now. And once Lamar Odom comes back from his knee injury, L.A. will be a team no one will wants to deal with in the playoffs.

Jackson has given his team direction and, as he has done his entire career, given confidence to his bench players. It is no coincidence that Luke Walton, Smush Parker, Sasha Vujacic, Ronny Turiaf, Jordan Farmar and Maurice Evans are all enjoying solid seasons. Jackson's triangle offense gets the role players involved and provides them opportunities to score.

Jackson wins out over Avery Johnson and Jerry Sloan, each of whom has led his team to division leads.

Johnson – the Coach of the Year winner last season – has continued his renovation of the Mavericks, who two years ago were a shoot-first scoring machine but are now terrific defensively and the NBA's most balanced team. Sloan has brought the Jazz back from a couple of sub-par seasons, and he has done it the same way he's always coached: by getting his players to play hard, execute offensively with sharp cuts and ball movement and compete every night.

Honorable mentions: Eddie Jordan (Wizards), Mike D'Antoni (Suns) and Jeff Van Gundy (Rockets).

Sixth Man Award: Leandro Barbosa.
Ben Gordon was in the midst of running away with this award until Scott Skiles put him back into the Chicago Bulls' starting lineup. That leaves Barbosa, who is the Suns' energizer off the bench. With backup point guard duties added to his role this season, he has been a stabilizing force behind Steve Nash. But his main job is to come into the game with Nash and increase Phoenix's already blistering tempo.

Barbosa runs the wing as fast as anyone in the NBA, and his unusual looking shot is surprisingly effective. He is scoring 16 points per game, shooting 46 percent from the field and 39 percent from the three-point stripe. He wins the award over Corey Maggette, Earl Boykins and Kyle Korver, all of whom are scoring points and producing offense for their teams. But as a general rule, you don't win awards unless your teams are winning, so that eliminates all three.

Honorable mentions: Brent Barry (Spurs) and Maurice Evans (Lakers).

Most Improved Player: Luke Walton.
After losing 15 pounds in the offseason, Walton added a level of quickness that has allowed him to get around defenders. As a result, he is much more feared as an offensive threat. Walton has also gained confidence in his outside shot and is shooting much better from the three-point line (39 percent). With Lamar Odom's injury, Walton became the Lakers' second-best player after Bryant, and his play has helped L.A. maintain a place among the league's top five or six teams.

Walton gets the nod over Deron Williams of the Utah Jazz and the Sacramento Kings' Kevin Martin.

Williams' terrific point guard play has helped the Jazz become a premier team in the NBA again. He's a threat to score or pass, and he usually makes the right decision on which one to do. And the biggest thing? He's gained the confidence of Jerry Sloan. If Williams hadn't played so well in the final third of last season, he probably would be more qualified than Walton to win the award.

The same goes for Martin, who showed flashes of brilliance at the end of last season, then took over the starting guard spot in Sacramento after the departure of Bonzi Wells. Martin is having an all-star type season, averaging 20.6 points and shooting the ball extremely well (49.6 percent). His quickness is too much for most defenders to handle.

Honorable mentions: Smush Parker (Lakers), Josh Howard (Mavericks), Matt Carroll (Bobcats).

Comeback Player of the Year: Amare Stoudemire.
After a painstaking first couple of weeks in which Stoudemire was timid and ineffective coming off the bench, the Suns' talented young big man stepped into a starting role and regained his old form. Stoudemire is back to his old ways, running the floor, hammering home rim-rattling dunks and blocking shots from the weak side. His comeback has helped Phoenix win an incredible 32 of its last 35 games since a 1-5 start.

Stoudemire edges out Carlos Boozer, who played only 33 games last season for Utah due to an injured hamstring but is healthy and playing at an All-Star level. Boozer is averaging 22 points and 12 boards for the Northwest-leading Jazz.

Honorable mention: Quentin Richardson (Knicks).

Executive of the Year: Kevin O'Connor.
The Jazz made some subtle moves that have given them toughness and depth. On draft day, O'Connor selected Ronnie Brewer, who has provided versatile athleticism on the wing, and Paul Millsap, who has been the steal of the draft. A second-round pick, Millsap is a relentless rebounder. The trade for Derek Fisher completed O'Connor's project, as the veteran guard has been a tough defender, clutch shooter and mentor for Deron Williams.

O'Connor beats out Mark Warkentein, who not only pulled off the Allen Iverson trade for the Denver Nuggets but also landed Steve Blake in a nice, under-the-radar move that gave the Nuggets the pass-first point guard they needed. Bryan Colangelo, who took over the Raptors last summer, also deserves consideration for acquiring T.J. Ford and importing a couple of nice role players: Anthony Parker and Jorge Garbajosa. Both were signed as free agents after playing overseas.

Honorable mention: Carroll Dawson (Rockets).

Steve Kerr is Yahoo! Sports' NBA analyst. Send Steve a question or comment for potential use in a future column or webcast.

Updated on Wednesday, Jan 24, 2007 5:06 pm EST

The Top 10: Injuries

Each week another prominent player seems to be felled by injury. Which trips to the inactive list have made the biggest impact? Let's count down the season's 10 most significant injuries.

매주 주요 선수들이 부상으로 나가떨어진것 같다. 어떤 선수 가장 큰 임팩트를 남겼을까? 여기 이번시즌의 가장 중요한 부상 top 10을 선정해 본다.


10. Kenyon Martin, Nuggets
Diagnosis: Microfracture surgery on right knee (오른쪽 무릎 극소골절 수술?)
Status: Out remainder of season (시즌 아웃)

마틴을 잃은 것에 대해 좋은 점은 마틴이 첫번째 수술로 인해 이미 많은 게임을 결장하고 있었고, 마틴의 수비와 리바운드 롤을 나헤라와 캠비가 충분히 메꿈으로서 마틴 없이 플레이하는데 익숙해 있다는 것이다. 나쁜 점은 두번의 무릎 수술을 받고, 코치와도 잘 지내지 못하는 선수를 다음 5시즌동안 72M을 지불하면서 데리고 있어야 한다는 것이다.

9. Jason Richardson, Warriors
Diagnosis: Broken right hand suffered Dec. 30 (12월30일에 당한 오른손 골절)
Status: Not due back until late February (2월 하순까지는 돌아오기 힘들다.)

어떤 사람들은 J-Rich가 프로 최악의 시즌에서 벗어난 것에 대해 다행으로 여길것이라고 빈정댄다. 몬타 엘리스,맷 반즈,안드리스 비드린쉬의 등장은 리차드슨의 공백을 느낄 수 없을 정도로 잘해주고있다.

8. Lamar Odom, Lakers
Diagnosis: Sprained right knee suffered Dec. 12 (12월 12일에 당한 오른쪽 무릎 염좌)
Status: Expected to return by end of January (1월 말에 돌아올 것으로 예상된다.)

지난해 오덤은 어린 아들의 사망이라는 비극을 겪었지만, 앤드류 바이넘의 보드 워크와 루크 월튼의 다재다능한 옵션으로의 성장,그리고 코비 덕분에,함께 팀을 플레이오프에 올려놓기위해 돌아올 수 있었다. 이러한 팀원들의 성장은 오덤의 결장에도 필 잭슨에게 최단기간 900승을 안겨줄 수 있었다.


7. Nenad Krstic, Nets
Diagnosis: Tore ACL on Dec. 22 (12월 22일에 당한 ACL-십자인대- 부상)
Status: Out remainder of '06-07 after reconstructive knee surgery (무릎 재건 수술후 06-07시즌 나머지도 아웃)

넷츠는 크리스티치와 함께 허우적댔고(11승 15패),사실 크리스티치 없이 좀더 나은 플레이를 보여주고 있다(5승 4패). 비록 페인트 존에서 득점할수 있는 7푸터를 손에 넣기엔 쉽지 않지만,그렇다고 해서 동부에서 포스트 시즌에 나아가는데 있어 필수적인 요소는 아니다.


6. Paul Pierce, Celtics
Diagnosis: Sidelined since Dec. 22 with stress reaction in left foot (12월 22일 왼발 부상)
Status: Expected Jan. 19 return to practice delayed a week or more( 1주 혹은 그이상 지연되어 1월 19일에 연습에 돌아올 것으로 예상된다.)

8게임에서 6패를 당하는 것은 대개 걱정스러운 것이지만, 애틀란틱 디비전에서는 그저 과정일뿐이다. 머 실제로는 과정이 아니지만, 경쟁에서 완전히 떨어져 나간 것은 아니다. 매버릭스가 동부로 옮겨오지 않는 한, 보스턴은 피어스가 돌아와 팀을 정상궤도로 돌릴때까지 그럭저럭 견뎌 나갈 것이다.

5. Yao Ming, Rockets
Diagnosis: Fractured bone under right knee Dec. 23 ( 12월23일 오른쪽 무릎 골절)
Status: Not expected to return until All-Star break (Feb. 16-19) (올스타 브레이크- 12월 16~19일 - 엔 돌아오진 못할 것이다.)

티맥이 테럴 오웬스의 재활 전문가- 등 경련 부상으로 부터 예상보다 일찍 코트로 돌아오게 도운-에게 치료받는 동안, 로켓츠는 패배를 견디어 내며 봄에 있을 플레이오프에 참가할 희망을 계속 유지하고 있었다. 만약 티맥이 다시 괴팍스런 등 부상에 시달리게 된다면, 쉐인 배티어가 불을 뿜는다고 하더라도 플레이오프 자리를 위한 필사적인 싸움에서 나가떨어질 것이다.


4. Michael Redd, Bucks
Diagnosis: Strained patellar tendon in left knee Jan. 5 (1월 5일 왼쪽 무릎 슬개건파열)
Status: Out until at least mid-February (적어도 2월 중순까진 아웃이다.)

플레이오프를 붙잡기 위해서, losing more than a quarter of your nightly offense doesn't bode well. 모 윌리암스는 계약 연장에 직면해 있지만, 패스하고자 할때 어시스트할 상대를 찾기가 무척 힘들어 졌다. 우리는 벅스가 좀더 수비에 의지해야 한다는 것에 대해 논의했지만, 매 게임마다 상대팀에게 103.3 실점을하고 47.6%의 야투율을 허용한다면, 그 수비라는 건 전혀 의지할게 못된다.

3. Chris Paul, Hornets
Diagnosis: Severely sprained right ankle Dec. 26 (12월 26일 오른쪽 발목 염좌)
Status: Expected to return by end of January (1월 말에 돌아올것으로 예상된다.)

폴의 부상은 호넷츠 부상 3부작의 대미를 장식했다. 그 전작들인 1,2부의 주인공들, 페자 스토야코비치와 데이빗 웨스트는 각각 등 수술과 팔꿈치 수술로 나가떨어졌다. 호넷츠는 비록 폴과 함께 할때라도 페자의 이탈 때문에 14게임중 11패를 당하면서 서부에서 고생중이었다. 호넷츠는 모두가 건강하다면 플레이오프라는 언덕에 올라갈 수 있었겠지만, 그렇지 못한 지금, 호넷츠의 주된 관심사는 이제 6월에 있을 드래프트이다.

2. Pau Gasol, Grizzlies
Diagnosis: Broke right foot at FIBA World Championships in early September (지난 9월초에 있은 FIBA 월드 챔피언십에서 당한 오른발 골절)
Status: Missed 22 games; returned Dec. 15 (12월15일에 복귀했다. : 이미 22게임을 결장했음.)

제리 웨스트가 이제 전 감독이 된 마이크 프라텔로가 가솔없이 5승보다 더많은 승리를 이끌수 있었다고 생각하든 혹은 생각하지 않든, 프라텔로는 지난 여름에 발 부상을 당한 가솔이 정말로 필요했다. 가솔이 빠진 동안, 플레이오프 팀이던 멤피스는 나락으로 떨어졌고, 웨스트는 프라텔로의 사소한 것까지 관리하는 방식에 지친 라커룸에서의 푸쉬와 함께, 멤피스에서의 최다승 감독인 프라텔로를 해고했다.

1. Shaquille O'Neal, Heat
Diagnosis: Tore cartilage in left knee Nov. 12 (11월 12일 왼쪽 무릎 연골 부상)
Status: Returned to practice Thursday (Jan. 11) after missing 28 games following knee surgery ( 무릎 수술후 28게임을 결장했고 1월 11일에 연습에 돌아왔다.)

The Heat were 2-2 with Shaq in the lineup, and both of those losses by blowout, so it's clear Miami wasn't running on all cylinders even with him on the floor. But it's difficult to believe the wheels would have come of the Heat bus so fast -- sending Pat Riley into self-imposed exile and James Posey and Antoine Walker into Riley-imposed exile -- if Shaq had been there to get all of his teammates all of the open shots they were accustomed to getting.



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