As blogged and tweeted by Alan Hahn (who you should add to your daily reading) today, NBA writers received their awards ballots. As the regular season wraps up, it’s time to hand out the hardware. Some awards you’ll recognize, some not so much.

HEADLINERS

Most Valuable Player

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Let’s be real … Did anybody else have a shot? 30 points, 8 dimes, 7 boards a night. I maintain my stand that his supporting cast is far overrated. Whatever team James goes to next year immediately becomes the Finals favorites.

Most Valuable Player on a Losing Team

Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers

Granger can flat out ball. As bad as the Pacers are - currently 19 games below-.500 - if they didn’t have DG, they’d be playing catch-up with the Nets.

Most Unintentionally Valuable Player

Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks

Long believed to be the best player on the team, Redd goes down with an injury, and all of the sudden the Bucks turn into an Eastern Conference favorite

Least Valuable Player

Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans Hornets

Talk about the gift that keeps on giving. Terrible contract has handcuffed the Hornets. Now, N’awlins needs to consider dealing their franchise player, Chris Paul. Otherwise, he’ll be bolting town for nothing when his contract runs out.

UP AND COMERS

Rookie of the Year

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

No way he wins the award. He doesn’t play defense (by design), and the team doesn’t win. Still, when you watch Steph play, there isn’t a shadow of a doubt that he is the most gifted player in the class.

Smartest Rookie of the Year

Ricky Rubio, Minnesota Timber Wolves

Would YOU want to play in Minny?

Guy That Will Win Rookie of the Year

Tyreke Evans, Sacramento Kings

And he certainly isn’t undeserving. The numbers are great, and he’s exciting to watch. Just not as exciting as Curry. As long as Brandon Jennings doesn’t get it, I’ll be happy. This isn’t ‘Most Valuable Rookie’ … it’s best rookie.

Next Year’s Rookie of the Year

Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers

Ahh, I fooled you, didn’t I? Griffin will burst onto the scene and live up to the hype. Sorry, John Wall, and perhaps Evan Turner. Griffin is Andre Iguodala athleticism in a power forward’s body … and far more basketball savvy.

NOT ENOUGH CREDIT

Most Improved Player

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

He might not win the award, because it is designed for the average player that becomes better. But Durant is now the best scorer in the game - yes, better than Kobe or LeBron - and will soon be a top-3 all around player. He’s that good.

Most Improved Decent Player

Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies

He’s been hurt by injuries, and won’t win the award as a result. But Gasol isn’t Pau’s ugly step brother anymore. He’s slowly turning into a top-tier big man.

Most Overlooked Player

Deron Williams, Utah Jazz

Overlooked may be too strong. But Williams isn’t getting any consideration for MVP. He’s not a contender for MIP at all - he was already too good - but he deserves acknowledgement, because he is going to be the best point guard in the league for the next decade.

Most Overlooked Decent Player

Kyle Korver, Utah Jazz

Shame on me for not including him in the FA rankings. Korver is raking from downtown, shooting over 55 percent. That’s absurd.

TOO MUCH CREDIT

Coach of the Year

Scott Skiles, Milwaukee Bucks

The addition of Jennings didn’t alone turn the Bucks into a playoff team. As much as I hate to give coaches credit, you can’t ignore what Skiles has done in Milwaukee.

Coach That Gets Too Much Credit of the Year

Mike Brown, Cleveland Cavaliers

As always, I would attribute NONE of the Cavs’ success to Brown. Cleveland management should just cut the coach from the payroll, and let the team play under the guidance of LBJ. They’d still win 66 games.

Coach That Doesn’t Get Enough Credit of the Year

Alvin Gentry, Phoenix Suns

Yes, Amare and Nash are the main reasons Phoenix is suddenly a legit title contender. But Gentry, despite being, as far as I can tell, universally disliked, has improved the D’Antoni SSOL offense.

That Guy Still Has a Job? of the Year

Flip Saunders, Washington Wizards

MEO. Most Embarrassing Organization. Can’t say Saunders is doing anything to help, either.

CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT ‘EM

6th Man of the Year

Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs

If Ginobili wants, he can get a starting gig and some cash next year. He proves year after year, though, that he was born to be a 6th man. He’s clutch, and a lockdown defender. The guy that everybody wants on their team.

12th Man of the Year

Darko Milicic, Minnesota Timber Wolves

He’s getting some playing time in Minnesota, but hey, I could get some playing time in Minnesota. Anybody that cries about playing in the NBA deserves some recog-not-tion.

13th Man of the Year

Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks

Two awards for the same player? It takes a special ‘superstar’ to improve a team WHILE INJURED.

The Joke is Old But Why Not Man of the Year

Michael Jordan, Charlotte Bobcats

As pointed out on ESPN today, Jordan buys the team, Bobcats surge. Coincidences? I THINK NOT. (Note: The previous paragraph was written by Michael Jordan)

ISN’T IT TIME TO DISCONTINUE THIS AWARD

Defensive Player of the Year

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic

I actually think he’s very overrated as a defensive player because of the amount of balls he blocks out of bounds. Still, not many other people play defense in the league.

You Call That Defense? Player of the Year

The Golden State Warriors

12-way tie. 112 points allowed per game … really?

Defensive Performance of the Year

Debut of Kevin Durant’s KD2 sneakers

Apparently, new kicks are the only thing that can stop Durant. He dropped just 12 points on 4-for-18 shooting the night he debuted them … and it was against the Mavs!

Worst Defensive Performance of the Year

New York Knicks, Jan. 24, 2010, in 128-78 loss to Mavs

I was at that game. It was ugly. And to think, that wasn’t the worst part of the day for New York sports. (See: Jets lose to Colts)

LET’S GET OSCAR-Y

Best Picture (for the player most fun to watch score)

JR Smith, Denver Nuggets

He is streaky as Hell, no doubt. But when Smith gets on a roll, he starts firing bombs from everywhere on the court, and you find yourself unwilling to change the channel.

Best Director (for the player most fun to watch pass)

Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics

I used to be Rondo’s Hater Numero Uno. However, watching him play a bit this year, it’s clear that Rondo is smooth as ice. Williams might be the best complete point guard, but Rondo’s game is the easiest on the eyes, no doubt about it.

Best Performance (for the team that, when on the tube, is a must-watch)

Atlanta Hawks

Josh Smith, Joe Johnson, and Jamal Crawford. Ups, all-around game, and ridiculous range. If you’re not an NBA fan, watch Atlanta - they’ll change your mind.

Lifetime Achievement (for the player that we really just want to retire already)

Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics

He adds nothing to Boston, and is making everybody forget about the Minnesota days. Remember when watching Garnett was like watching somebody possessed? Those days are long, long gone.

Submit your ballots!