It's the time of the year for the AABL to recognize some of the top performers of the 2008 AABL Season!  The 2008 Season Superlatives were mainly based upon the stats that players accrued during the course of the year, but of course there are other factors involved.  Please remember that NO actual award is given to the players-- just the recognition from the players' peers and the rest of the league.  So without further ado, we present to you the 2008 Season Superlatives!

Most Valuable Player
Larry Johnson, Blazers
Johnson was a great steadying force for the Blazers-- a team which easily made the playoffs this year and, with Johnson in the lineup, they became a team which other squads didn't want to face.  The big man put in work in the post, dominating the other big men in the league on both ends of the court.  On offense, Johnson was the leading scorer in the league (23.6 ppg) and also got to the free throw line often-- 2nd in both FTA and FTM (35 for 62 FTs).  He also posed a mismatch for the other centers in the league by having the ability to step out and shoot the three (15 threes-- tied for 9th)--although many would question his perimeter shot selection.  On defense, Johnson was slick, smart and strong-- consistently outplaying and outmuscling the oppositions' post players and holding them to sub-par games.  LJ especially stepped it up when the competition was great-- having some of his strongest performances against the better big men.  Although not a big shot blocker (0.7 bpg-- 12th in the league), the veteran Johnson played excellent below-the-rim "Karl Malone"-type defense, stripping players of the ball before they could even get their shot up.  This led to 2.4 steal per game-- 2nd in the league.  LJ was the Blazers' rock for the entire year.  His consistently strong play enabled the rest of the Blazers squad to become more effective by allowing them to play their more natural positions and giving them more confidence on both ends of the court.
Best Games:
loss vs. Quiet Storm, 28 pts, 18 rebs, 6/9 FTs, 2 threes, 4 stls
loss vs. Raptors 33 pts, 15 rebs, 5 threes, 6/10 FTs, 2 stls

Honorable Mention:  Kevin Alig, Jon Allmond, Mel Wright
             
Asian American Baller of the Year
Shinobu Nagata, Venom
With a quick and accurate trigger from outside matched with flashy yet steady ballhandling, Nagata was one of the top all-around ballers in the league.  Because of his height and quick release he was a tough player to match up against for any team.  Nagata was consistent for most of the season and picked it up when the playoffs came around with a 22 pts, 6 threes, 7 rebs, 4 asts effort against Skymax followed by a 29 pt (3 threes) game against the Prodigies. 

Honorable Mention: 

Playoff MVP
Steve Bollman and Anthony Perez
Quiet Storm
Once again the NAABL-AABL Champs is the team that put together the best team effort throughout the year and most importantly in the playoffs.  And because of this, once again the Playoff MVP is a shared honor.  Bollman was a consistent force in the paint for QS throughout the playoffs averaging 9.0 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 2.0 spg, 1.3 bpg, and 7/7 FTs in 3 playoff games.  In a close semi-final game against Venom, Bollman rounded up 10 pts, 9 rebs, 3 stls, 1 blk.  Perez saved his best basketball of the season for the playoffs as he slashed and bombed his way to 14.0 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4 threes, 1.3 apg, 1.3 spg in 3 playoff games.  Perez especially showed up for their toughest game of the postseason against Venom in which he carved them up for 22 pts, 3 threes, 3/4 FTs, 4 asts, 2 rebs, 1 stl, 1 blk.  Although these players stood out in the playoffs, the QS championship defense took a concerted team effort.

Defensive MVP
Larry Johnson, Blazers
The league MVP was also the most effective player on the defensive end of the court.  Besides being 2nd in steals and 12th in blocks, Johnson was the best defensive rebounder in the league, not by being the tallest or best jumper, but by using his strength to hold his position in the post.  And after he gained possession of the rebound, he showed that he may be the best outlet passer in the league, getting the Blazers into transition offense with accurate, crisp passes.  In every Blazer game this year, Johnson managed to not only outscore the oppositions big man but he also managed to limit them to a sub-par games on the offensive end.  Once again the league's best player is the league's best defensive player.

Honorable Mention: Jon Allmond, James Oaks, Ryan Pauling, Curtis Pender, Mel Wright

Sixth Man of the Year
Andy Sanderson, Squires
Once again Sanderson provided his squad with effectively consistent instant offense from the bench.  Besides having one of the smoothest and most accurate jumpshots in the league, Sanderson always gave the Squires what they needed when he stepped on the court, whether it be steady ball-handling, solid defense, or a tough veteran presence.  His 22 three pointers were good for 2nd in the league despite playing one less game and far less minutes than the league leader who had 24.  He matched great perimeter shooting with good free throw shooting (81.8% FTs), passing (1.5 apg), and defense (1.5 spg).  He was also third on the Squires in scoring with 10.1 ppg.  A probable starter for most any team in the AABL, Sanderson was the most invaluable player off the bench for a very deep Squires team. 
Best Games:
win vs. Warriors 14 pts, 4 threes, 4 asts, 2 rebs
win vs. Rebels 21 pts, 7 threes, 5 rebs, 4 stls, 2 asts

Honorable Mention: Scotty Howe, Mark Narvacan

Most Improved Player
Eric Smith, Warriors
After last year's rookie season in which he averaged just 7 pts a game for the Brown Hornets, Smith had a breakout season for the Warriors this year.  Smith was one of the Warriors most consistent and reliable players all year long, relying on quickness and sharp shooting to put points on the board and, on the other end, he played hard-nosed defense on opposing ballhandlers.  A more confident player this year, he was the go-to guy for his squad on many occassions, averaging 12.6 ppg (2nd on team; 14th in league) to go along with 5.7 rpg (2nd on team) and 17 threes (2nd on team; 7th in league).  There should be more improvement yet to come for a young talented player on a team that may improve greatly in the future.
Best Games:
loss vs. Rebels 12 pts, 2 threes, 12 rebs, 3 stls, 3 blks
win vs. Forwarders 18 pts, 4 threes, 8 rebs, 2 stls

Honorable Mention: Andrew DelCarmen, James Oaks

Rookie of the Year
Aaron Brown, Prodigies
In a year in which the most talented group of new players entered the league, winning the ROY is a big deal.  This year the best new team in the league had the league's best new player in their lineup.  Brown showed and proved all season long, displaying a well-rounded game on both ends of the court.  An excellent playmaker, he was one of the most explosive players in the league getting to the rim and when he got there he knew what to do with the rock, leading his team in scoring with 12.9 ppg (11th in league) and driving and dishing his way to 3.6 apg (2nd in league).  Brown also displayed a nice touch from the perimeter, hitting 15 threes (T9th), and he also showed toughness in the paint (6.8 rpg-- 16th in league).  His quick, gambling defensive style racked up steals (2.0 spg-- T6th) and sparked the Prodigies fast-paced offense.  Expect some big-time performances in the future from this prime time player.
Best Games:
win vs. DOC 19 pts, 4 threes, 10 rebs, 4 stls, 1 ast
win vs. Blazers 20 pts, 6 threes, 5 rebs, 4 asts

Honorable Mention: Roynell Cuffee, Andre McMullen, Shinobu Nagata, Tony Otter, Curtis Pender, John Reyes, Brandon Rice