The official halfway point of the season was roughly two weeks ago, and with the All-Star break upon us, it's time to hand out some mid-season hardware. Despite ending this week with two lopsided losses to the league's best (San Antonio Spurs) and second-worst (Washington Wizards) teams, the Nets are 29-22 and in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. But the numbers don't tell the whole story, so let's take a look at the Nets' performance through the first three months of professional basketball in Brooklyn.
Most Valuable Player: Brook Lopez
Deemed dispensable in the Nets' lengthy pursuit of Dwight Howard last summer, Brook Lopez has since become the team's most indispensable player. Deron Williams and Joe Johnson were signed to be Brooklyn's backbone, yet Lopez is the All-Star, averaging 18.8 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Oft-criticized for being soft, more surprisingly, the center is also slapping 2.2 blocks per game. If there was any doubt who the Nets most valuable player is, you only need to look at the three-week slide the team went through in December when Lopez was out with a foot sprain.
Greatest American Hero Award: Kris Humphries
This award is given to the player you who makes you worried every time he checks into the game, yet also inspire admiration for having the most enviable life of anyone you know. Not only did Kris Humphries get to have sex with Kim Kardashian, he only had to marry her for 72 days to earn the right of holding the made-for-TV wedding over Kardashian's head while she's carrying Kanye West's illegitimate child. Even if that's all he's remembered for, tell me you wouldn't pay to have that inscribed on your tombstone. Truly a hero among men.
Best Trade Bait: Deron Williams | Reggie Evans | Kris Humphries | Andray Blatche | Marshon Brooks
This award has been broken down by likelihood. In terms of current stats and what they could get back in return, trading Deron Williams while his value is arguably at its peak would be the best way the Nets could both improve immediately and give themselves financial flexibility for the future. Obviously his max-contract makes him hard to move, but Williams is the type of player you can build a multi-team blockbuster deal around. And it's not hard to imagine that a Raymond Felton-like point guard sharing time with C.J. Watson couldn't account for Williams' 16.8 points and 7.7 assists per game. Before you scoff, remember: those are the type of numbers that made Joe Johnson's max-contract "unmovable" when he was in Atlanta.
The next likely —as in more plausible than "never going to happen"— would be Reggie Evans. With a Rodman-like approach to rebounds, no player in the NBA would be more valuable to a small team making a serious playoff run. And with depth in the paint, the Nets could stand to lose one of their best rebounders if it means getting a legitimate outside threat or some much-needed help on defense. Evans is the guy you hate when he's on any other team, but love to have on yours. Which is exactly why he makes for an interesting bargaining chip.
Lastly, the likely scenario: One of the Nets back-up big men or Marshon Brooks. Moving Kris Humphries, Andray Blatche or Brooks in an even-up swap that will give the Nets some shooting depth seems to be the most obvious move the team could make. You get the sense Humphries is the Nets preferred choice, but Blatche and Brooks should yield a higher premium in return.
Best Dunk: Kobe Bryant
Unfortunately, the best dunks in Brooklyn have come via the opposing team. Josh Smith put up a good fight for his coast-to-coast facial on Brook Lopez, but it's Kobe Bryant's Moses impersonation over Kris Humphries and Gerald Wallace that takes the cake. Not only did his dunk come at a crucial point in the game, but if you Google any combination of the words "Best Brooklyn Nets Dunk," the results are all Kobe. Hard to argue with that.
Best At Making A Police Investigation Disappear: Andray Blatche
No seriously, what happened to that sexual assault investigation?
Best Sixth Man: Andray Blatche
Easily the best back-up center in the league, Andray Blatche is averaging a career-high 49.6% from the field and posting a 22.7 player efficiency rating, tied for 12th-best in the NBA — and all on a a minimum-salary deal. If not for Blatche, the slide during Brook Lopez's foot injury in December might have been demonstrably worse.
Best White Guy: Mirza Teletovic
Only because Deron Williams and Kris Humphries weren't eligible.
Unsung Hero: GM Billy King
Sure the team spending is maxed, but let's give the man some credit. Despite losing out on Dwight Howard, he kept Deron Williams a Net and built a big team that has allowed Brook Lopex to flourish in his absence. And let's not forget the firing of Avery Johnson. Whether it was because the team quit on him or a byproduct of Lopez's injury, the Nets were reeling in December and the surprising move to let Johnson go became a catalyst in the Nets 2013 revival.
Best Beard: Reggie Evans
Because it's Brooklyn. And because the man who averages 19.3 rebounds per 48-minutes deserves to win something.
