The 2005-06 NBA regular season is finally over, meaning the playoffs are just around the corner and it’s time to predict the various season-ending awards. Pipe Dream’s self-proclaimed NBA expert Jonathan Hefetz offers up his insight:

Playoff Sleeper

Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have won their season series against New Jersey and Miami 2-1, their likely first two opponents. Couple the Heat’s identity crisis and the Nets’ lack of depth with the firepower of Jermaine O’Neal and Peja Stojakovic, and it looks like Indiana has a chance to make a deep playoff run.

Most Overrated Team

Miami Heat: Dywane Wade is spectacular, but what else is there? The Heat are poor defensively — especially without Alonzo Mourning — and they lack a balanced offensive attack aside from “give the ball to D-Wade.” Shaq is in the twilight of his career and physically cannot be the 20-and-10 man of old. Pat Riley should never have messed with last year’s team, save for signing Gary Payton as the backup point guard.

Most Underrated Team

Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony has been stellar as usual, and the additions of Reggie Evans and Ruben Patterson at the trade deadline were brilliant moves to upgrade Denver’s rebounding and defense. The Nuggets have the talent to cause a lot of damage in the playoffs, but because they’re sandwiched between San Antonio, Dallas and Phoenix, they tend to get lost in the shuffle.

Biggest Bust

Larry Brown: No free-agent signing has been a bigger disappointment than New York’s head coach. Brown’s name alone was supposed to give the Knicks 10 extra wins. Instead, the Knicks used 40-plus different starting lineups and finished with the East’s worse record by three games. All for the low, low price of $50 million over five years.

Most Improved Player

Boris Diaw: Diaw’s talents were buried in Atlanta, but he has flourished this season in Phoenix. Diaw is averaging career highs in points (13.3), assists (6.2) and rebounds (6.9) and has recorded two triple-doubles.

Coach of the Year

Mike D’Antoni: Dallas coach Avery Johnson should get consideration, but Phoenix’s D’Antoni is the favorite. He’s led the Suns to the second seed in the Western Conference and another division title, despite being without Amare Stoudemire and having to work with an entirely new supporting cast.

Rookie of the Year

Chris Paul: New Orleans Hornets rookie CP3 is the winner, hands down. Paul leads all rookies in points (16.3), assists (8.0) and steals per game (2.29), and is fourth in rebounds (5.3) and field goal percentage (.434). Oh, and the Hornets won 38 games this season.

Most Valuable Player

Steve Nash: The reigning MVP has led the Phoenix Suns to 54 wins without All-Star Amare Stoudemire, and has helped teammates Raja Bell and Boris Diaw produce career years. Despite being Canadian, Nash remains the clear winner for this award.