The NBA Awards, presented by TNT, is almost upon us, and we’ve decided to throw out some of our predictions!
KIA NBA Most Valuable Player:
Nominee’s: James Harden (Rockets), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), and Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Our Winner: …Russell Westbrook! To most this is the obvious choice for MVP, simply because of the high and mighty triple double that Westbrook averaged. On the contrary, Harden did come very close to also averaging the triple double. He also had what is considered the greatest offensive season in NBA history. So why not give it to him? There’s a simple answer for that… Stats. The NBA and its fans are obsessed with stats. Whether it’s earning a double double for centers (10 pts, 10 rbs) or point guards (10 pts, 10 ast), or earning a five by five (at least 5 pts, 5 rbs, 5 ast, 5 blk, and 5 stl), the fans have always been rooting for them and the players always fighting for them. Oh and sorry Kawhi Leonard, while everyone admires your game, we all know you’re just here because there has to be three nominees.
KIA NBA Rookie of the Year:
Nominee’s: Malcolm Brogdon (Bucks), Joel Embid (76ers), Dario Saric (76ers)
Our Winner: … Joel Embid! Ok, if you really want to be technical, Malcolm Brogdon… BUT, according to the NBA’s rules, it doesn’t matter when a player was drafted, the “rookie” season counts as the first year the player plays in the NBA. Oh, and yes, we are aware that he only played in 31 games. We also aren’t taking away from the fact that Brogdon and Saric and amazing players. Joel’s averaging 20 pts and 8 rbs , not only are those veteran numbers, but STAR veteran numbers. At the tender age of 23 time is on his side as he only has room to grow as a better player.
KIA NBA Sixth Man Award:
Nominee’s: Eric Gordon (Rockets), Andre Iguodala (Warriors), and Lou Williams (Rockets)
Our Winner: … Eric Gordon! Eric Gordon is an extremely skilled player, not only averaging 16 pts, 2.5 ast, and 2.7 rbs a game, but also winning the NBA Three Point Challenge, where he faced off against the NBA’s best three point shooters. Iguodala was a close second due to the fact that when Curry and Durant rest, Golden State still has one of the best athletes able to take charge of the distributer role. Williams, like Gordon, is a phenomenal three point shooter, but it is pretty obvious that Gordon is the better player, especially being on the same team, where we can watch them play side by side.
NBA Coach of the Year:
Nominee’s: Mike D’antoni (Rockets), Gregg Popovich (Spurs), Erik Spoelstra (Heat)
Our Winner: … Mike D’antoni! This is the obvious choice. We have all drawn comparisons to Popovich and Belichick (Coach of New England Patriots) at some point, admit it… and just like the NFL, you simply can’t always give the Coach of the Year award to the best coach. For Spoelstra’s case, we find it very hard to give an award for the best coach to him because the Heat didn’t make the playoffs. That leaves one man left, congrats Mike.
KIA Most Improved Player:
Nominee’s: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Our Winner: … Giannis Antetokounmpo! This is a very difficult decision, mainly between Giannis and Nikola. We did not consider Rudy Gobert for the award because we already had him high on our list of great players before this season. While we must admit Jokic did come out of nowhere this season, we’ve just never seen a 6’11” player be the point guard so flawlessly with exception to Durant.
KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year:
Nominee’s: Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Draymond Green (Warriors), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs)
Our Winner: … Draymond Green! Sorry to snub Rudy and Kawhi again, but the defensive intensity and efficiency that Green brings to Warriors every night, as well as being their emotional leader. Kawhi is obviously one of the best defensive players of all time.