NBA Awards Picks
By Ashkan Motamedi
MVP
Giannis Antekounmpo
James Harden
Paul George
MVP pick – Giannis Antekounmpo
Tight race all year between the him and James Harden. It could go either way with a strong case for James Harden. Remember with Antetokounmpo team having the best record in the NBA that always seems to be the deciding factor when its close on statistics.
Defensive Player of the Year
Rudy Gobert
Paul George
Giannis Antetokounmpo
DPOY pick – Rudy Gobert
Some experts believe this will be a close race this year between the three finalists. Gobert has stats similar to his stats from his Defensive Player of the Year nod last year. Paul George had the best defensive stats for perimeter players in the entire league. Which gives him a strong case to win the award but comes up just short. For Antetokounmpo case he is going for both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year Only two other players have done soon in Micheal Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon. Antetokounmpo size, length and speed allows him to be all over the floor giving help defense. However I will still give Gobert the edge overall to win the award again.
Rookie of the Year
Luka Doncic
Trae Young
Deandre Ayton
ROY pick – Luka Doncic
Easy pick here for me in Doncic .This race will not be as close as last year race between Ben Simmons and Donavon Mitchell. A more consistent year for Doncic is the key as Young got hot during the 2nd half of the season and overall has better stats. As for Ayton he will be a monster but not a factor here.
Most Improved Player
Pascal Siakam
D’ Angelo Russell
De’Aaron Fox
MIP Pick – Pascal Siakam
Russell had a great year becoming an All-Star and being the star in Brooklyn. However trend fits Siakam here the growth he took this year to be a big factor in the Raptors regular season success as a two way threat. He grew to become the Raptors secret weapon and 2nd best player may get the award because of the Raptors record.
Sixth Man of the Year
Lou Williams
Montrezl Harrell
Domantas Sabonis
Sixth Man of the Year – Lou Williams
Easy pick here no question Willams should be unanimous.
Coach of the Year
Mike Budenholzer
Doc Rivers
Michael Malone
Pick Mike Budenholzer
Budenholzer took a seventh place team to the best record in the NBA. It’s a regular season award therefore he gets the nod this year.
Side note this award show needs to be in May not late June.
