James saved Snape's life, okay, but right after sexually assaulted him. Obviously he can't ask for Harry to be spared without being murdered, and he won't ask for James because the guy sexually assaulted him. He thought Sirius was a mass murderer, which is why he threw a hissy fit when the man was spared, and Remus endangered kids, and then quit on his own.
He also saved Neville and Hermione, plus he didn't actively taunt all the children, only Harry, Neville and Hermione, the latter two being twice in the entire series. Whereas, he saved Neville twice in OOTP from being choked, and he also became less biased in HBP. And why tf shouldn't he insult the two people who bullied him for 5-6 years of his life?
His pain was mostly James's fault, considering as James sexually assaulted him and bullied him for 6 years in his childhood. Only a fraction of his pain was his fault, and he attempted to redeem himself for it. He also saved innocent people, but there are many people to blame, both Snape and James are to blame. It's just that Snape is better. Don't give me "he only did it because Lily was threatened" that can't go on for years and years, plus Dumbledore couldn't save Lily, so he after Lily's death had no reason to join Dumbledore but still did (he had to be convinced, but that was only because he didn't think the Dark Lord would return).
James also harassed Lily (atleast in SWM), and attempted to blackmail her into dating him. And when Lily finally pulled out her wand, he threatened her as if she was attacking him for no reason. Idc if he matured later on, that isn't enough to win an award, and yes, I acknowledge James's good deeds, but atleast imo Snape did braver things.