2013 NBA Underground Awards

MVP
LeBron James, Miami Heat
Absolutely no surprise here. It's LeBron's league and a fourth MVP in five years confirms that. A 27-8-7 nightly line gives LeBron his best rebounding season yet. Throw in the NBA's best record, which includes the 27-game winning streak and picking LeBron for this award is very easy. LeBron will join Wilt Chamberlain as a four-time winner.
1. LeBron James
2. Kevin Durant
3. Carmelo Anthony

Coach of the Year
George Karl, Denver Nuggets
With the Nuggets earning the best record in franchise history, Karl emerges from a slew of deserving candidates. Without a true superstar and a relatively new core, Karl helped with the huge strides made with Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari and Kenneth Faried, along with good production from Andre Iguodala and Corey Brewer. Entering the playoffs as the three seed and legit Finals contender, Karl may have to keep up his great work with Denver banged up at the moment.
1. George Karl
2. Gregg Popovich
3. Mark Jackson

Rookie of the Year
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
The sixth overall pick Lillard had no problems making the transition from small school Weber State to the NBA. Lillard lead all rookies in points, assists and minutes, and there aren't any close seconds. A very good yet relatively unknown commodity heading into the NBA, Lillard will be the fourth point guard in five years to win this award.
1. Damian Lillard
2. Anthony Davis
3. Bradley Beal

Defensive Player of the Year
Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies
Gasol does what older brother Pau has never done by winning this award. He's the anchor of the league's best defensive team and has stayed healthy this year, something other great big men haven't done. Sure, other guys are better shot blockers or better pure rebounders, but Gasol's fundamental defensive game earns him this award.
1. Marc Gasol
2. Joakim Noah
3. Roy Hibbert

Sixth Man of the Year 
J.R. Smith, New York Knicks
Smith came on strong the second half of the season. His streak shooting was actually better than streaky and he served as a capable running mate for Carmelo Anthony. He lead NBA players in bench scoring at 18.1 PPG. For a guy who was once known to shoot his team out of games, Smith is now the second best player on the second best team in the East.
1. J.R. Smith
2. Jamal Crawford
3. Jarrett Jack

Most Improved Player
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Always the hardest award to pick, this year's most improved race is not different. George gets the nod this year because he was a first-time all-star as well as being best player this year on the third-seeded Pacers. George's size, athleticism and outside shooting makes him one of the best young all-around players in the league. And since he's a Pacer, you know he can play defense too.
1. Paul George
2. Jrue Holiday
3. Greivis Vasquez 

Well, that wraps up this year's awards column, stay posted this week for Thursday's All-NBA column and Friday's Round 1 Picks column.