Good evening, Hornets fans! This is Hornet Henry, fan blogger for the Hornets, the proud owners of a three-game winning streak!

Well, folks, we’ve reached the halfway point of the NBA season, so you know what that means: It’s time for Hornet Henry’s annual midseason awards spectacular. Before I begin, I would like to thank this radio program for allowing me to announce these awards in a public forum for the first time. In past years, the ceremony for the Half-Season Henrys has been staged in my rec room and only sporadically attended by Mrs. Hornet Henry and our four children.

For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the Half-Season Henrys, each award has been named after one of my heroes from pro basketball in the 1980s, back when I was in my prime. The Full-Season Henrys are named in honor of TRUE legends, former Hornets players such as the immortal Dell Curry. Those will be announced in the spring. Without any further delay… the envelopes please!

Whether he just stepped off the team bus or dribbling across the halfcourt stripe (pictured), Jannero Pargo is in his shooting range, helping make him the winner of the prestigious Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson Award.

Sure, Linton Johnson has never worn Rec Specs, a sporty knee brace, or a mullet. Still, Johnson’s all-out hustle and tenacity made him the ideal recipient of the award named in honor of 1980s basketball icon Kurt Rambis (pictured).

- The Vinnie “The Microwave” Johnson Award for outstanding play off the bench in the first half of the season goes to… Jannero Pargo. Like yours truly, Mr. Pargo is ready to launch shots the moment he steps off the team bus. The 6-foot-1 guard thrilled Hornets fans on Tuesday with a 25-point game, making him the frontrunner for the coveted Dell Curry Cup, which is presented by yours truly at season’s end to the NBA’s best reserve player.

- The Kurt Rambis Award – for scrappy play, all-out hustle and a knack for securing loose balls at any cost – goes to… Linton Johnson, a personal favorite of Hornet Henry’s. Sure, LJ didn’t always get in the game, but when he DID, no one showed more tenacity, heart and desire. Keep this up, Linton, and you’re the odds-on favorite to capture the prestigious 2007 Brad Miller Badge of Honor. A few stray elbows and a couple dust-ups with opponents should be enough to get the job done.

- The winner of the Larry Bird Award, as the NBA’s most valuable player during the first half of the season, is… Chris Paul. Prior to injuring his ankle the day after Christmas, CP3 had established himself as the Hornets’ leading scorer and assist man. Right now Paul looks like the top candidate to get his hands on the Glen Rice Ribbon, as Hornet Henry’s full-season league MVP, for the second straight year.

- The fourth and final honor should be a very proud moment for the recipient. The Pat Riley Award, given to the Association’s best coach through the first 41 games of the season, goes to.. Byron Scott. No NBA coach has faced as much adversity as Scott, who lost his top three scorers to injury – CP3, D West and Peja – as well as his No. 1 option off the bench, Bulldog Bobby Jackson. Still, Scott’s intimidating glare, perfectly tailored suits and coaching brilliance remain impeccable. I’m going out on a limb right now and predicting that when the smoke clears, B Scott will capture his third consecutive Dave Cowens Waterford Crystal at the close of the campaign.

Well, my time is up, so that should do it for this edition of the Half-Season Henrys. Make sure you tune in again next week, when I will unveil my 2007 Western Conference All-Star selections.

Until next time, this is Hornet Henry. Go Hornets!