NBA Award Predictions at All-Star Break

Going into the year most people had thought the MVP would come down to LeBron James and Stephen Curry, perhaps even Kawhi Leonard could come into play. However, no one could have anticipated the year Curry is having. Curry has been the leader of one of the best regular season team and individual performances since the 1995-1996 Bulls, coincidentally the team they are on pace to pass for the best regular season record of all-time. The most valuable player is Curry in every sense of the word, but unlike MVP, there are multiple cases to be made for the other awards. This year has seen a number of teams step up and go to the next level such as the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics, some reach another stratosphere in the Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs, and some collapse in the Washington Wizards and Phoenix Suns. Nonetheless, here are my awards predictions as we reach the All-Star break.

 

Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, PG, Golden State Warriors

Runner Up: Is there really anyone close?

This award really speaks for itself. There is really no choice but to go with Curry as he checks all the boxes for any voter. He is playing at a premium position, is the leader and best player on the best team in the league, and is leading the league in scoring. Curry is just playing on another level right now as he is shooting ridiculously well from behind the three-point line, which combined with his insane handling ability, and excellent court vision makes him the most complete offensive weapon at the point guard position in the game. Curry has earned the title of most valuable player and represents the toughest assignment in the game today.

Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns, C/PF, Minnesota Timberwolves

Runner Up: Kristaps Porzingis, NYK

This is one award that can be given out with a second place finisher as Porzingis has been fantastic in his rookie season with the Knicks, certainly surpassing any expectations the NBA and even Phil Jackson had when he was drafted. However, Towns has been much better and more consistent throughout the year. Towns has been a defensive presence patrolling the paint and his athletic ability allows him to play stretch fours. Towns has also flashed a very polished offensive arsenal, showing off a solid jumper that can extend to the three-point line, as well as his silky smooth jump hook in the paint. He is without a doubt a franchise cornerstone and will represent a top frontcourt player in the NBA in just a couple of year. The Timberwolves future is extremely bright.

Most Improved Player: C.J. McCollum, G, Portland Trail Blazers

Runner Up: Will Barton, DEN

Barton will be mentioned more in-depth later on in this piece, but he has had an outstanding year and his rise should not be discounted. That being said the offensive display that McCollum has put on is incredible and with Damian Lillard they are forming one of the most potent backcourts in the NBA. McCollum can really do it all as he has been shooting well from behind the three-point line, he shoots free throws well, gets to the hoop at will, and can draw fouls at the rim. McCollum’s best part of the season though has been his ability to stay healthy thus far which up until this year was something he wasn’t able to do. With McCollum suddenly a versatile scoring threat Damian Lillard suddenly has a running mate to make this team tough to beat.

Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard, SF, San Antonio Spurs

Runner Up: none

Let’s be honest. There is no defensive equal right now to Leonard. I suppose you could throw in Draymond Green every year because of his versatile defensive abilities covering almost every position, which in today’s mismatch, and  pick and roll NBA, having someone who can switch on to anybody has infinite value. Leonard though in his own right can defend positions one through four, and routinely takes the toughest assignment on the other team. Leonard has covered Curry and James among others and has had a huge hand in helping hold off the two most lethal offensive players in the game today. Seeing what Leonard has become on offense makes you wonder how effective he would be defensively, but there has been no slippage on the defensive end, rather an increase in awareness and intelligence.

Sixth Man of the Year: Will Barton, G, Denver Nuggets

Runner Up: Andre Iguodala, GSW

Iguodala has been very good once again off the bench for the Warriors providing a scorer and above average wing defender to pace the second unit. He fits in perfectly with what the Warriors are and plays starters minutes, but the pick here is Barton. Barton has been fantastic for the Nuggets taking two giant step forward this year, scoring in bunches with a solid jumper and very good athletic ability attacking the rim. The best part of his game though and the most improved part is how efficient he has been able to become with his game, routinely getting to the line and shooting around fifty percent. Barton has turned himself into a very good scorer off the bench and having a sixth man who can score like him can give you a long successful career. Just ask Jamal Crawford

Coach of the Year: Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks

Runner Up: Dwane Casey, TOR

I know some will be saying I am crazy for not giving Luke Walton at the very least runner up if the not the coach of the year award and truth be told he was definitely in consideration and just missed winning let alone runner-up. There are a number of promising candidates this year including Brad Stevens, Gregg Popovich, and the aforementioned Luke Walton. I also want to mention Raptors head man in charge Dwane Casey who has led the team to the second seed in the East thus far and a decent lead on the surging Celtics in the Atlantic Division. Casey has done all this without offseason acquisition DeMarre Carroll, who has battled the injury bug all season. Casey has been very good despite being on the hot seat in recent years and deserves mention. However, the winner is Rick Carlisle who has led a team that many had pegged for a lottery team, into a solid playoff footing if they can play up to par the rest of the way. Carlisle gets the most out of players routinely and has the done the same with Zaza Pachulia, who they acquired off the scrap heap from the Bucks for a mere second round pick. He also has gotten very good minutes from J.J. Barea and Devin Harris which has allowed their depth to give Deron Williams and Wesley Matthews appropriate rest to avoid injury. Throw in the management of the team and development of younger players like Dwight Powell and this team has overachieved like most Carlisle led teams.

 

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