NBA Creates New Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award

The NBA put to rest the speculation surrounding the creation of a new individual yearly award that the league will give out for the first time Sunday night before Game 2 of the NBA Finals in Miami.  After a weekend full of reports and rumors and even a pretty funny mix of 'suggestions' on Twitter the NBA unveiled the Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award, given out to the NBA player who most closely represents the leagues 'ideal teammate' (whatever that means).

6 players were nominated from each conference by a committee made up of NBA legends with the final vote being made by current NBA players themselves. The only stipulation in voting is that players were not allowed to vote for their own teammates. (I could honestly ramble on for hours about how little sense that makes considering the award is given out for BEST TEAMMATE! But I will spare you). No Dallas Mavericks were nominated, however Manu Ginobli of the Spurs, as well as Serge Ibaka of the OKC Thunder are both finalists for the award. The favorites for the award seem to be Ginobli, along with Miami Heat guard Shane Battier. Personally I would like to see recently retired Jason Kidd get the award on his way out the door, but admittedly I am sentimental like that.

I really think the NBA missed a great opportunity here to create a new award to go along with the strict dress code the league instituted a few years back. They should have unveiled the SWAG award, given to the NBA player who most constantly dressed the best during pre and post game interviews and press conferences. Then the league could have seized the opportunity to crossover into the fashion/entertainment market. Had NBA playoff games feature red carpet shows and everything. I mean come on, just try and picture Joan Rivers trying to interview Dwayne Wade about his Capri pants after his team loses game 2 tonight. Now THAT would have been AWESOME!