Lakers Nation’s Picks Versus The Real Winners

You fans of LakersNation voted for your 2011 Performance Award candidates and the actually voting results have been released. Although most of the awards were in favor of one candidate, several of them were split and fans could not decide who to pick. However, the debate is officially over and there is no more speculation. The NBA has announced the winners of the 2011 Performance Awards, and now its time to see if LakersNation was accurate with its own voting.

Defensive Player of the Year:

Winner – Dwight Howard

LakersNation Pick- Ron Artest

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard one his third Defensive Player of the Year and become the first player in NBA history to win the award three consecutive times. This season, Howard has averaged 22.9 points, 14.1 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and a career-high 1.3 steals. LakersNation, however, favored Ron Artest who had struggled for most of the season. Artest was the first place vote getter with 1,747 votes, while Howard came in second with 1,5111 votes. The last place vote getter in the LakersNation.com voting was Serge Ibaka with 168 votes.

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Next: Rookie of the Year

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Rookie of the Year:

Winner – ?

LakersNation Pick- Blake Griffin

Los Angeles Clippers rookie Blake Griffin won fans over with his dazzling skill set and unbelievable leaping ability. Griffin had the award locked up for months, and LakersNation picked Griffin with 3,354 votes, 97% of the total. The second place vote went to John Wall who had 63 votes followed by DeMarcus Cousins with 30 votes and Gordan Hayward with 9.

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Next: Most Improved Player

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Most Improved Player:

Winner – ?

LakersNation Pick- Kevin Love

Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves walked away with the award after a breakthrough season in the NBA. Love was a double-double machine for the Wolves and he set an NBA record with consecutive double-doubles. LakersNation voted for Love with 1,766 votes, 55% of the total. LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers came in second in LakersNation’s voting with 826 votes.

Next: Sixth Man of the Year

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Sixth Man of the Year:

Winner – ?

LakersNation Pick- Lamar Odom

Los Angeles Lakers forward Lamar Odom won his first Sixth Man of the Year award after his amazing season as the Lakers’ top reserve. This season Odom averaged 14.4 ppg, 8.7 rpg and 3.0 rpg. LakersNation gave Odom 3,444 votes, which was 99% of the total. The second place candidate in LakersNation’s voting was George Hill with 27 votes.

Next: Coach of the Year

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Coach of the Year:

Winner – ?

LakersNation Pick- Tom Thibodeau

Chicago Bulls Coach Tom Thibodeau led his team to a 62-20 record and a top seed in the Eastern Conference.  Thibodeau tied an NBA record for most wins as a first year head coach, and he implemented a defensive system with his young Bulls team. With Thibodeau at the helm, the Bulls have a emerged as a serious title contender. At the LakersNation voting, Thibodeau received 63% of the votes, and he beat out Phil Jackson who had 23% of the votes.

Next: Most Valuable Player

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Most Valuable Player:

Winner – ?

LakersNation Pick- Kobe Bryant

The most prestigious award went to Derrick Rose for his fabulous season with the Chicago Bulls. Rose was the overwhelming favorite for the award before the voting started, and it was obvious he would win. This season, Rose averaged 25.0 ppg, 7.7 apg and 4.1 pg. However, LakersNation did not think Rose’s performance this season was deserving of the award. In the voting, LakersNation gave Kobe 57% of the votes while Rose received 42%.

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