The J Walter Kennedy Award for Citizenship might sound like the latest wheeze in Gordon Brown's drive for "Britishness" but it holds a special place in my heart. So too the Magic Johnson Award for being nice to the media, the winning of which takes more than a decent half-time coffee and an afternoon free of Gordon Strachan's finest sarcasm.
Neither ranks particularly highly in the rankings of the NBA's end of year gongs but since they're the only two in which I get to punch my chad (this year for Chauncey Billups of Detroit and Manu Ginobili of San Antonio, respectively), a few nights ago, I pored over the shortlists for, umm, at least five minutes, to make my annual contribution to the journalistic democracy of the league.
That said, there are more prestigious prizes to be dished out in the weeks to come, and with my (hypothetical) ballot papers to hand, here's who I think merits their name on the honour roll.
Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Seattle Honourable Mention: Al Horford, Atlanta
The much-hyped rookie battle between top two Draft picks Durant, and Portland's Greg Oden, never materialised due to the latter's injury but his rival overcame early stumbles to prove himself worthy of the hype by averaging 20.3 points per game.
That he did it on an inexperienced and ineffective Sonics team was an accomplishment. That he maintained it, knowing that he might end up re-locating from urbane Seattle to the backwater of Oklahoma City this summer deserves a medal.
Defensive Player of the Year: Kevin Garnett, Boston Honourable Mention: Tim Duncan, San Antonio
For the first two months of the campaign, Garnett was the MVP-elect. Injury de-railed that bandwagon but KG's heart and hustle was the spark which catalysed the Celtics' makeover from chumps to possible champs in double quick-time.
Da Kid never takes a night off, even if he often passes up the big shots at the other end. And now that a ring is on the cards, no-one will leave less on the floor these play-offs than the new home of Boston Pride.
Most Improved Player: Rajon Rondo, Boston Honourable Mention: Jose Calderon, Toronto
When the Celtics imported Garnett and Ray Allen last off-season to sit along side Paul Pierce, they said the missing link was the addition of a quality point guard to make the wheels turn smoothly. Turns out he was there all along. Right from Boston's trip to London, through the regular season, Rondo has refused to believe he is anything other than first rate. Calderon has been magnificent but the Spaniard only ever needed time to adjust his game to NBA speed. Rajon, by contrast, raised his bar.
Sixth Man Winner: Manu Ginobili, San Antonio
Ginobli won the first award announced by a landslide after his selfless switch from starter to super-sub. The Spurs southpaw has been his team's MVP this season, would be a star for any other side in the league, and remains, despite the aches and bruises, the most unpredictable and dynamic individual in the game. And he will be a big factor as club and country try to defend their respective crowns in the coming months.
Coach of the Year: Phil Jackson, LA Lakers Honourable Mentions: Byron Scott, New Orleans; Maurice Cheeks, Philadelphia
Rewind 12 months. The Lakers were distinctly average, no longer even the star attraction in their home city. Kobe Bryant wanted out asap. The splits were obvious. And Jackson, with nine titles in his locker, could have been forgiven for retiring to the wilderness. Instead, he took on the challenge, extended his tenure, brought the egos to the table and calmly meshed them together.
Throw in the manner in which he integrated Pau Gasol in so quickly and to such an extent that the Lakers are the top seeds in the Western Conference, and it never ceases to amaze me that some critics still don't credit Jackson as one of the best play-callers the sport has ever seen.
Most Valuable Player: Chris Paul, New Orleans Honourable Mentions: Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers; LeBron James, Cleveland
This is the closest MVP race in years, with Garnett in the mix once again, along with James, Bryant and Paul. I'd omit KG due to absenteeism and James because, despite his phenomenal individual efforts and extraordinary talent, he still struggles with the "No-I-In-Team thang".
Which leaves us with two. "I'm not a Kobe fan but I'd give it to him," argues Andre Alleyne, from NBA on Five. "LeBron's team struggled to get to fourth. Garnett was injured too much. And Paul might have to wait. But when you think Kobe wanted traded away with no-one knowing where he'd end up, and now he's a team player, that's incredible."
It is. Bryant, for all his personal flaws, has elevated himself and confounded his few remaining sceptics by finally placing his trust in his colleagues rather than just himself. And, incredibly, he's never picked up this gong.
But for me, Paul has had the most astonishing year. An average of 21.1 points, 11.6 assists and 2.71 steals is the finest of any point guard since Oscar Robertson (better than the best of Magic, Nash or Stockton). He's done it on a team which has surprised everyone. In a city which never really cared about the Hornets, he has taken on the additional burden to winning over a distracted public.
Paul's not just valuable to New Orleans. He's a priceless commodity to the entire league and the perfect antidote to the self-reverence of James. His side might have exited the play-offs by the time the award is dished out but no one merits MVP more.
Post-season latest
With the play-offs now underway, three early psychological blows have already been struck which could have major implications. San Antonio's double overtime win over Phoenix will bring back nightmarish recollections for the Suns of last year's exit to the Spurs. It underlines that acquiring Shaquille O'Neal was an expensive mistake.
Houston's defeat to Utah on Monday, which put them 2-0 down after two ties on their home court, lends weight to the theory that Tracy McGrady has a first round jinx.
The Detroit Pistons' opening game loss to the unfancied Philadelphia 76ers, meanwhile, just goes to show you should never take your eye off the ball, particularly not to chat to your former team-mate during the game.
