The NBA season has moved beyond the midpoint.

Several teams are still striving for the playoffs while the elite squads look for positioning. However, not much will change when it comes to individual performances.

The voting for NBA awards ? by media and coaches ? takes place toward the end of the season. But enough games have been played to determine the best coaches, reserves, executives and rookies.

Here's a look at our picks for most of the NBA's major awards:

Most Valuable Player

Props go to Jason Kidd for New Jersey producing the most surprising record in the NBA. But the team's upgrade in talent is an overlooked factor. Plus, it's hard to vote for a player shooting 37 percent.

The NBA's MVP on and off the court is Michael Jordan, who has transformed the Wizards from league dregs into playoff contenders while boosting the league's attendance. There's precedent for a player from a mediocre team garnering the MVP: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar won it in 1976 when his Lakers finished 40-42. The likely difference between Jordan and Abdul-Jabbar is that those Lakers didn't make the playoffs.

The other candidates include the usual cast of superstars: the Lakers' Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal and San Antonio's Tim Duncan. Gary Payton should garner some votes for leading one of the youngest teams in the NBA to a respectable record.

Coach of the Year

Boston's Jim O'Brien has helped guide the Boston Celtics to one of the best records in the East with essentially the same team that floundered under Rick Pitino. Boston has turned into one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. So perhaps the coach of the year should be assistant Dick Harter, the defensive guru who joined the Celtics this season.

Sacramento's Rick Adelman probably won't win even though he showed his coaching acumen when Sacramento sprinted to its best start despite Chris Webber missing 23 games.

Other coaches who have done yeoman's work are Washington's Doug Collins, Seattle's Nate McMillan, New Jersey's Byron Scott and Minnesota's Flip Saunders.

Rookie of the Year

Pau Gasol already has more skills than most big men in the NBA. The 21-year-old Spaniard is an ambidextrous shooter and an excellent shot-blocker and rebounder. Once Gasol bulks up, he will be an All-Star, which could happen as soon as next season.

Indiana's Jamaal Tinsley had a strong start before being slowed by injuries. The rookie class is rich with Memphis' Shane Battier, Houston's Eddie Griffin, Utah's Andrei Kirilenko and San Antonio's Tony Parker.

Executive of the Year

Rod Thorn revamped his floundering Nets franchise with several bold moves. The biggest was dealing Stephon Marbury for Kidd. But Thorn's other changes were important to New Jersey's success: signing Todd MacCulloch to a long-term deal and trading a lottery pick for lower selections such as Richard Jefferson who bolster the team's bench.

Other executives with excellent offseasons were Sacramento's Geoff Petrie and Minnesota's Kevin McHale.

Most Improved Player

Tracy McGrady received the award last season after going from budding star to All-Star. Steve Nash of the Dallas Mavericks has followed a similar path, although he's nowhere near as great a player. If Nash doesn't win, the nod should go to Wally Szczerbiak, who seamlessly switched from small forward to shooting guard. Both players were first-time All-Stars.

Others who have markedly improved were Indiana's Al Harrington and New Jersey's Kenyon Martin.

Sixth Man of the Year

It will come down to Milwaukee's Tim Thomas or the Clippers' Quentin Richardson. Thomas hasn't lived up to his $11 million-per-year contract. But the versatile big man is easily one of the best reserves in the NBA.

Richardson, with three-point shooting, has contributed to the Clippers as much as any starter.