Column: It's time for first quarter awards

Winter break is almost here. For most students that means a long-awaited trip home; for the ardent basketball fan, however, it means the NBA has completed a quarter of its season. The season has offered us exciting plays, great players and interesting storylines so far, all of which I have compiled in this list of First Quarter Awards for the 2010-11 NBA season.

Rookie of the Quarter: Blake Griffin

The first award is one of the easiest to give out this year. While the Los Angeles Griffins are in last place in the league, Griffin has wowed the NBA community with flashy dunks, inspired play and intense work ethic. Griffin is averaging 20 points and 12 rebounds per game this year, but his most impressive statistic is that he leads the league in field goals within five feet of the basket. On an offense-challenged squad like the Clippers, Griffin’s ability to play above the rim and create his own shot has given the team something it has not had in a while: hope.

Most Anticipated Trade: Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks

While in denver, Melo has played all his cards right. Despite his desire to get out of Denver, he has not upended the team. Though he has played well for the Nuggets this season, he has still made it known that he wants out of Colorado and that his No. 1 destination is the New York Knicks. It is widely believed that the only team he would sign a contract extension with is the Knicks, making an already good team a possible playoff contender. Which brings us to the next award.

Biggest Surprise of the Quarter: New York Knicks

MVP of the Quarter: Amare Stoudemire

The knicks, who only won 29 of their 82 games last year, have already posted 16 wins this year and sit in the No. 6 playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Amare Stoudemire has been playing at an MVP level, having broken a franchise record by scoring at least 30 points in his last eight games. Amare is giving life back to a city that has been starved for a good basketball team, and if they can get Carmelo before the trade deadline, they could potentially upset some of the top teams in the East come playoff time.

Sixth Man of the Quarter: Jason Terry

Jason terry has continued his high level of play coming off the bench, helping the Dallas Mavericks to a 19-4 start, good for second-best in the Western Conference. He is averaging 16 points and 4.3 assists and is helping Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Kidd give the Mavericks a chance to break the chokehold that the Lakers have had over the conference the last few years.

Scariest Statistic: Tim Duncan’s

Tim duncan is averaging 13.4 points and 9.2 rebounds this year, much lower than his usual all-star quality numbers. Despite Duncan not posting his average 18 points and 10 rebounds of last year, the San Antonio Spurs still have the best record in the league, at 20-3, and are quietly making a case for themselves as championship contenders this year. If Duncan’s teammates Richard Jefferson, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker can keep up their high level of play, Duncan can rest easy for the season until the playoffs start.

Biggest Disappointment: Miami Heat Blowout of the Cleveland Cavaliers

Following the Decision this summer, NBA fans waited to see Cleveland’s reaction to LeBron as he returned to his old arena Dec. 2. Cleveland fans brought a level of passion unmatched through the season, but unfortunately the same could not be said about their team.

James ran all over his old team, scoring a season-high 38 points and fueling an ongoing winning streak that has reached eight games.

Most Anticipated Game of Second Quarter: Christmas Day, Heat vs. Lakers

Kobe vs. LeBron, post-Decision. A game that could possibly foreshadow NBA Finals to come, four of the top 10 players in the NBA will be on the court when the Heat play at the Staples Center on Dec. 25. Who needs gifts when you have a matchup this exciting to look forward to?

Actually, make that, “How awesome is it to receive gifts and a matchup like this on the same day?” I’ll give you a hint: very awesome.