It is just about half way through the NBA season. All-star weekend is just around the corner, and teams are readying themselves for the crucial home stretch that could make or break their season. With the end of the year comes the awards, and the half-way point of the season, it seems like a good time to see who has excelled this season.
Most Valuable Player - James Harden, Rockets
Harden has been an absolute monster this season, averaging over 35 points for the first time since Kobe did it in 2006. He is single-handedly carrying the Rockets into the playoffs, and has a 21 game 30 point streak that dates back to December. Last night, he dropped 61 on the Knicks in MSG. 61!!! His utter dominance on the offensive side of the ball should allow him go back to back.
Runner-Up - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
The Greek Freak has put on a show this year, averaging 26 points and thirteen rebounds, while leading the Bucks to the top seed in the East. Giannis is also enjoying career highs in assists and field goal percentage, and is almost definitely going to the captain of the Eastern All-Stars. If he continues his dominance, the Bucks will be legitimate title contenders. Giannis would likely win MVP in most other seasons except for this one, with Harden simply being too good.
Dark Horse - Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Amid an injury-riddled December for the Nuggets, Jokic kept them alive in the West. The Nuggets surprisingly are contending with the powerhouse Warriors for the top spot. Jokic's not so flashy stats and lack of highlight reel plays makes him a long shot for this award.
Most Improved Player - Pascal Siakam, Raptors
"Spicy P" has gone from a role player last year to a borderline all-star. He has seen an uptick in every major category, with large improvements in minutes, points, and rebounding. Siakam has also proved to be irreplaceable in a star-studded Toronto team, and shows up in big moments when Kawhi Leonard is not there.
Runner-Up - De'Aaron Fox, Kings
Like Siakam, Fox has also seen an improvement in most statistical categories, and is in the midst of a breakout sophomore season. Fox averages nearly 20 points per game and is one of the best players on a surprising Kings team. He likely will not win the award as most players have jumps from their rookie to sophomore year.
Dark Horse - Derrick Rose, Timberwolves
What a story. After overcoming injury after injury, Rose looks like he can play basketball again, and actually is second in the West among guards for all-star voting. He probably wont win most improved player because of the other two players improvements.
Defensive Player of the Year - Paul George, Thunder
Despite having former MVP Russell Westbrook on his team, George has established himself as the go to guy for the Thunder. Not only is he having a career season offensively, but might be even more stellar defensively. He leads the league in steals, and has picked up the slack for the Thunder with lock down defender Andre Roberson still rehabbing a torn achilles.
Runner-Up - Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Not only is Giannis averaging MVP type numbers offensively, but he also is one of the best defenders in the league. He averages a steal and a block per game, and is a key contributor to the Bucks' number one ranked defense. However, his abilities on defense seem a bit better because of even better defenders around him(Eric Bledsoe, Khris Middleton).
Dark Horse - Rudy Gobert. Jazz
Gobert won this award last year, and continues to be a threat every time someone comes into the paint. He almost surely will not win this year, as his defensive abilities have not resulted in much success for the Jazz.
Rookie of the Year - Luka Dončić, Mavericks
Dončić is making the Hawks look dumb for trading him, and is averaging an astounding 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists per night. He is easily the best offensive player on the Mavericks, and his never ending assortment of highlight-reel plays makes him among the most fun players to watch. Also, his step back is legal, unlike certain other offensive scorers. He is such a fan favorite that he has more all-star votes than James Harden and Kevin Durant.
Runner-Up - DeAndre Ayton, Suns
Unlike last years tightly contested rookie of the year race, this one is not even close. Ayton is miles behind Luka in the race, despite averaging extremely solid numbers for the Suns.
Dark Horse - N/A
6th Man of the Year - Domantas Sabonis, Pacers
Playing behind Thaddeus Young in the Pacers rotation, Sabonis has made a considerable leap from his play last year. He averages 15 and 10 per night and is a main reason why the Pacers are sitting in the 3rd spot out East. He will need to step up his game to the next level, with all-star Victor Oladipo out for the season with a gruesome quad injury.
Runner-Up - Derrick Rose, Timberwolves
As said before, Rose has had an improbable comeback to relevance in basketball. Earlier in the season, he had an extremely good shot at this award, but is in the starting lineup a lot more these days, so he might not get the award.
Dark Horse - Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
Harrell has had quite the breakout season, putting up 16 points and 7 rebounds on just 25 minutes a night. He also is shooting 63% from the field. He has had a slight decline recently, and likely will not win the award.
Coach of the Year - Mike Budenholzer, Bucks
After Jason Kidd was surprisingly fired, the Bucks hired Budenholzer in an attempt to get points that do not come from Giannis Antetokounmpo. That has worked magnificently, as the Bucks stand atop the east as the NBA's second best offense. Khris Middleton and Eric Bledsoe are receiving serious consideration for the all-star game.
Runner-Up - Mike Malone, Nuggets
Malone has been an extremely effective coach, and utilizes seven foot point guard Nikola Jokic in ways never seen before. His coaching is a large reason why the Nuggets could win games despite missing Paul Millsap and Jamal Murray for much of December.
Dark Horse - Nick Nurse, Raptors
The Raptors fired head coach Dwayne Casey despite getting the first seed, as they could not seem to get over the obstacle that was LeBron James. This year, Nurse has made Kawhi Leonard fit seamlessly into the system, and has a top 5 defense to go along with it.
Comentarios