Although there is still an abundance of exciting basketball yet to play in the 2009 NBA season, we cannot hold back our excitement for our regular Peas and Carrots End of Year Awards. We have decided that to help us get through the rest of the season, we will release a very early edition of the awards. Here they are:

Defensive Player of the Year: Ron Artest (Houston Rockets)

With Bruce Bowen's playing time for San Antonio being greatly reduced, we turn to one of the best, and most intimidating, defenders in the game: Ron Artest. With Tracy McGrady injured, the Rockets have managed to stay in the hunt in an impressive Western Conference mostly thanks to their defense. Artest has taken on the assignments of both Lebron James and Kobe Bryant and has locked down numerous other stars. He is, at this point, the best defender in the game.

Rookie of the Year: Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

As much as I wished to put Brook Lopez in this spot, the stats just don't lie. Rose stands second among rookies with over 16 points per game. Although O.J. Mayo also makes a case, his teams performance is just too awful for him to be awarded. Although Chicago hasn't had a great season, they are better than the teams of the top 7 rookies in this weeks "NBA.com" rankings, and Derrick Rose runs the points for them. His explosiveness has made him 2009's (early) Rookie of the Yea.

Most Improved Player: Devin Harris (New Jersey Nets)

I know Danny Granger's mind always pops into your mindwhen thinking of this year's most improved player, but the fact is Devin Harris has improved not only his own game, but also his team's game. Harris has averaged more than seven points better than last year and averages two assists more than when he played for Dallas last year, on a worse team! Although the numbers are the same between Granger and Harris, the Nets have gone from the worst team in the league (Sports Illustrated picked them to finish 15th in the East) to a playoff conender, whereas the Pacers have stayed where they are. And if you still insist that they are tied here is the tiebreaker: a halfcourt buzzer beater. I rest my case.

Sixth Man Award: Jason Terry (Dallas Mavericks)

Although there are many contenders for this spot, Terry's numbers were the key in naming him the early Sixth Man of the Year. He is averaging just under twenty points per game and also hands out four assists a game. These high numbers are not the sole reason for his victory however. Another important factor in this choice was how much Dallas misses him when he is injured. They escape their usual style of play and seem lost without the defensive energy and exciting offense of Jason Terry. Right now, Jason Terry is the most needed sixth man in the NBA.

Most Valuable Player: Dywane Wade (Miami Heat)

Lets get this straight right now, I am not a fan of D-Wade. For some reason he has never appealed to me but this season, Mr. Wade has been absolutely unbelievable. He is averaging exactly thirty points per game (yes, thirty) and has lifted the Miami Heat to within two and a half games of home field advantage in the East without anybody else on his team! Yes Kobe and Lebron both play on the top two teams in the league, but their teams are so good for reasons other than those two stars. Bryant has the likes of Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom along with a fantastic bench. James plays with guys as good as Mo Williams and Zydraunus Ilgauskus. Now look at Wade's team. Who does he have? A rookie coach and point guard and undersized big men. For the heat to even be in the discussion in the East is impressive and it is all thanks to Dywane Wade. He now holds the franchise points record and has consistently hit forty points in numerous games this year. The best player in the league is without a doubt, Dywane Wade.

Coach of the Year, Executive of the Year

this is undecided. write comments with who you think should be the coach and executive of the year. my ideas include Mike Brown, Lawrence Frank, Jerry Sloan, and Phil Jackson. Also for exec. Michael Jordan and Kiki Vanderweghe.