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Categories I Made Up awards
Posted: Friday April 21, 2000 11:47 AM
There is apparently a law in our society that every few weeks a group of incredibly wealthy, famous people must be given awards, whether they like it or not. I' ll give you my choices for the major NBA awards at a later date, but for now, in the spirit of the Oscars, Emmys, Grammys, Tonys and, of course, the coveted American Music Awards, I present the first annual CIMU (Categories I Made Up) awards. Lighten Up, It's Just a Game Award -- Vince Carter, Raptors: He's great to watch, but we can do without all the post-dunk scowls and growls. I never thought anyone would manage more angry faces per 48 minutes than Miami's Alonzo Mourning, but Carter has done it, especially since the All-Star game. Hey, Vince, we don't need all the menacing looks to tell us you're intense. We get that. And let's face it, the way your year has gone, you have absolutely nothing to be mad about. Method to His Madness Award -- Mark Cuban, Mavericks: I thought Cuban, the Mavs' new owner, was just another rich guy looking for attention when he signed Dennis Rodman, but he's proved to be more than that. He gives the Mavericks an owner who is both interested and competent, something they haven't had in years. It's no coincidence that the Mavs have had a winning record since he became involved. If I had to buy stock in a team, I'd pick the Mavs, mainly because of Cuban. The Rodman thing was still silly, though. Lack of Leadership Award -- Dikembe Mutombo, Hawks and Scottie Pippen, Trail Blazers: I'm not saying anyone could have gotten through to Isaiah Rider, but Mutombo, the Hawks' main man, didn't exactly help by taking his "I did not bring him here" stance. It would have been nice to see Mutombo make a better effort to help keep Rider in line. As for Pippen, the Blazers' struggles over the last 30 games cry out for a leader to step forward and give them some direction. You would think Pippen's six rings would make him the best candidate for that, but it doesn't look like he's provided any. Maybe it's unfair to hold him to this standard, but you just know that Scottie's old friend MJ never would have let his team stagger into the playoffs like this. Comeback Player of the Year Award -- Patrick Ewing, Knicks: The NBA doesn't give this award anymore because it always seemed to go to guys who had spent the previous season in a 12-step program. But Ewing is an example of the resilience the trophy was meant to reward. Whatever happened to the theory that he wouldn't be able to co-exist with Allan Houston and Latrell Sprewell when he came back from his assorted injuries? He has returned to give the Knicks double-figure points and rebounds, and he has fit in to the offense just fine. One small quibble, though: Ewing still seems to think he's obligated to take the clutch shot, and I can't think of another star who misses it as often as he does. Patrick, the Knicks will be better off in the playoffs if you let Houston or Spree take the buzzer-beaters and just go to the boards. Knowing When It's Time To Leave Award -- Jeff Hornacek, Jazz and Sam Perkins, Pacers: They have 30 seasons of meritorious service between them, and you've never heard either one of them grumbling about playing time or whining about their contract or scuffling at a nightclub, have you? Hornacek and Perkins are true professionals who have shown good judgment throughout their careers and are doing it again by deciding to retire before they run out of gas. They deserve a round of applause as they walk through the exit sign. Sports Illustrated senior writer Phil Taylor covers the NBA and appears regularly on CNN/Sports Illustrated and CNN's This Week in the NBA. Look for his column every Tuesday on CNNSI.com. The opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer.
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