The NBA regular season is coming to a close which means it time for players to be awarded for what they’ve accomplished this season. I went through all the individual awards and predicted the winner and a runner-up.
Most Improved Player
Winner: C.J. McCollum
Runner-up: Stephen Curry
C.J. McCollum’s improvement is a product of the additional playing time he was given this season. In the offseason, the Portland Trailblazer’s lost 4 starters and the team was able to reload from within. McCollum upped his scoring average by 17 points from 7 a game to 20. This increase is one of the best in the league and his partnership with Damian Lillard has created one of the best scoring backcourts in the league.
It may shock some of you that I have Stephen Curry as the runner-up for the most improved player but Curry should not only be considered for this award but should win it. Curry has improved in every facet of the game and become the best player on the planet.
Sixth Man of the Year
Winner: Andre Iguodala
Runner-up: Will Barton
Iguodala numbers don’t match what Will Barton has done this season but that’s what makes him so great. Iguodala does all the little things on the court to make his team better.
Will “The Thrill” Barton is having the best season of his career averaging 15.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. Barton has been a bright spot for the Denver Nuggets who at the bottom of the Western Conference.
Coach of the Year
Winner: Steve Kerr/Luke Walton
Runner-up: Gregg Popovich
The Coach of the Year Award is a three-man race this season. Two of those three coached the same team Luke Walton subbed in for Steve Kerr earlier this season while Kerr was recovering from back surgery. With Walton on the bench, the Warriors won a record 24 straight games to start the season and were 39-4 before Kerr returned. Kerr may lose out on the award again this season just because Walton has coached more games.
Pop has already won this award three times and every year name comes up in the conversation. The Spurs haven’t lost a game at home this season and have rebuilt the team without dropping off.
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Kawhi Leonard
Runner-up: Draymond Green
Last year Kawhi and Draymond finished one-two for defensive player of the year and same will be true this season. Kawhi has been the best two-way player in the NBA this year. Every night he guards the opposing team’s best player and scores 20.
On the other hand Draymond anchors the Warriors top-five defense. Without Draymond, the Warriors wouldn’t be able to do what they do he plays center and allows the team to have the best small ball lineup in the NBA.
Rookie of the Year
Winner: Karl-Anthony Towns
Runner-up: Kristaps Porzingis
Karl-Anthony Towns hasn’t looked like a rookie on the court this season averaging 18 points and 10 rebounds. At just 20 years old KAT already gets it, unlike many other young players that come into the league.
Knicks fans booed Kristaps Porzingis for the first and last time on draft day Kristaps Porzingis. The 7'3" Latvian has been exceeded fans expectations averaging a double-double this season.
Most Valuable Player
Winner: Stephen Curry
Runner-up: Kawhi Leonard
It’s not even a debate this season Curry is the MVP and should be the first unanimous MVP ever. The two players that have come the closest are Shaquille O’Neal in 2000 and LeBron James in 2013 falling just a vote short. If that happens this year that voter doesn’t deserve to vote anymore. Curry has been the best player on one of the greatest teams in history averaging 30.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 6.6 assists and 2.1 steals per game.
Kawhi Leonard edges out Kevin Durant, Russel Westbrook, and LeBron James for the runner-up. Like I said earlier Leonard has been the best two-way player in the league and has led the Spurs to the second-best record in the NBA. Even with the Warriors on pace to break the Bulls single season wins record the Spurs have been right on their heels all season.
