With half of the season down in this condensed season, the NBA world has seen everything from the Clippers becoming relevant to the legend of Jeremy Lin, also known as “Linsanity.” For NBA fanatics, this season has been fantastic, as there are games every night. With a much-needed All-Star break coming up for the players, which players have made the biggest impact this season? Here are my mid-season awards.

MVP: Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers:

Look, the obvious choice for the MVP award this season is LeBron James, who has been sensational. He’s averaging 27.6 points, 8 rebounds, and 6.8 assists per game. He’s also on the team that has the best record in basketball. Having said that, he doesn’t get my vote. Chris Paul does. Paul has inherited a 32-50 Clipper team and turned them into a contender. At 20-11, the Clippers are sitting at first in the Pacific Division and Paul is averaging 19.2 points and 8.6 assists per game. He’s the point guard of that team and the reason they have turned it around. I continue to try and make my case that on a team with LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, neither of them should win the MVP award.

Runners Up: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant

Rookie of the Year: Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers:

In 2003 the Cavaliers won the lottery, landing them LeBron James, and you know the rest of that story. Eight years later, the Cavaliers won it again, and have found another superstar, Kyrie Irving. After playing just one limited season at Duke, Irving has turned heads in the NBA and is averaging 18 points and 5 assists per game. He isn’t going to make Cavs fans completely forget about that LeBron guy anytime soon, but Irving is on his way to stardom.

Runners Up: Ricky Rubio, Kemba Walker 

Coach of the Year: Greg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

While coaches such as Doug Collins and Tom Thibodeau are both deserving of this award, my vote as of right now goes to Greg Popovich. People say the Spurs are too old, that their championship aspirations are finished, but don’t tell that to them. Even without Manu Ginobili for an extended period of time, the Spurs rallied through thanks to guys like Gary Neal and Danny Green. They are currently sitting at second place in the Western Conference with a 13-1 home record. As long as Popovich is around, the Spurs will be a factor in the Western Conference. He gets the most out of his players every single year.

Runners Up: Doug Collins, Tom Thibodeau, Frank Vogel

Biggest Surprise (Player): Jeremy Lin, New York Knicks

I think it’s safe to say that this one goes without saying. He went from 12^th man on the Knicks bench to the biggest story in the NBA, by far.

Biggest Disappointment (Player): Brandon Roy, Greg Oden

Does any franchise have worse luck than the Portland Trailblazers? Brandon Roy lasted just five seasons in Portland and was forced to retire this season, as his knees couldn’t hold up. Greg Oden simply cannot catch a break as he has played in just 82 total games since being drafted in 2007. After another knee surgery this season, Oden was declared out for the year and it’s likely the end of his tenure in Portland and possibly his career.

Biggest Surprise (Team): Philadelphia 76ers

Doug Collins has changed the face of the Sixers franchise in just his second season in Philadelphia. After sneaking into the playoffs a season ago, the Sixers have taken another step forward this year, as they are in first place in the Atlantic Division. They also got their first All-Star (Andre Iguodala) since Allen Iverson. That’s ten years.

Runners Up: Indiana Pacers, Minnesota Timberwolves

Biggest Disappointment (Team): Boston Celtics

Unlike the Spurs, the Celtics old age has shown in a big way this year as they head into the All-Star break with a losing record of 15-17. It sure does not look like they have enough for one final playoff run. Is it time to break up the Big 3?

Runner Up: Denver Nuggets

Best Team: Miami Heat

There are times during the season where the Heat have looked unbeatable, and it seems inevitable that a championship is on the radar.

Worst Team: Charlotte Bobcats

It’s amazing that this award doesn’t belong to the Washington Wizards, but the fact of the matter is the Bobcats lost to them twice. You’ve got some work to do with this team Michael Jordan.

Best Story: Jeremy Lin, in a landslide victory.

Most Overused Phrase: “Linsanity.”

I like Jeremy Lin as much as the next guy, but this Linsanity fiasco has blown up, and the term itself has taken over the NBA.

Runner Up: Lob City

Player with Most to Prove in Second Half: Carlos Boozer, Chicago Bulls

If the Bulls want to get over the hump and beat the Heat, it all boils down to Carlos Boozer. Last season he struggled mightily in the playoffs and is the most criticized Bulls player by far. He’s had a nice season thus far, but it needs to continue in the playoffs.

Dwight Howard?

Amazingly, I’ve gone the entire time without mentioning Dwight Howard’s name once. After an ugly start to the season, the Howard trade talk has cooled down. It seems like it is bound to resurface at some point, though.

NBA Playoffs Prediction:

ECF: Heat over Bulls 4-2.

WCF: Thunder over Lakers 4-2.

NBA Finals: Heat over Thunder 4-1.

For the record, I hope I’m wrong about this.