2018 NBA Awards
Tonight is the NBA Awards which means I'm going to try to predict them because I'm dumb but here it goes anyways.
Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston
This is most likely a default for me because I have an undying love for Brad Stevens and his ability to make any player efficient in his system. Snyder was able to bring the Jazz back to the playoffs with Gordon Hayward but Stevens also lost Hayward moments into the season and then also lost Kyrie Irving and still managed to have a successful season. Dwane Casey might win but he also got fired from his job so his name should be taken off the ballot because of the fact he would win the award for the team he is no longer with.
Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo, Indiana
This guy has come from being the 2nd overall pick by the Orlando Magic then traded for Serge Ibaka and traded yet again after only one season for Paul George. He landed in Indiana with zero expectations with the team now expected to tank after giving up their star player. But given the circumstances, Oladipo became a star, all-star, and third team all NBA. Ignore the averages
Oladipo has asserted himself among the leagues elite.
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, New Orleans
This is based on the fact I want Davis to walk away from this night a winner and I doubt he leaves this night with the big award. But the versatile shot-blocking machine that Davis is has caused me to pick him over Gobert and Embiid two guys that should have this award in their pocket at some point.
Sixth Man of the Year: Fred VanVleet, Toronto
Although this award should go to the entire bench mob in Toronto there should be some kind of acknowledgment from the league and here it is. VanVleet gave the Raptors the flexibility to play three guards at the end of games which caused a lot of matchup problems. Even though their season ended poorly the regular season that the Raptors had was something they could've built on. Until then enjoy this award Fred (Bench Mob).
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia
The most debated award of this year and most likely of any award recently. Unfortunately, Donovan Mitchell lost this award the day he had Adidas create the petty sweater defining what a rookie is. The sweater actually proved Simmons was a rookie because he hadn't played any games yet. I like Mitchell more but Simmons was the more successful. Too bad for Tatum that he was a great player all regular season and became elite during the playoffs. If the entire season from start to finish was a part of the award I would pick Tatum, but for now, it's Simmons' award. (Maybe if Mitchell wins we can all just steal Malcolm Brogdon's trophy from last year or just say all three have won rookie of the year)
Most Valuable Player: James Harden, Houston
Rookie of the Year may have been the most fun award to debate but this is now the swan song for Harden. He has been screwed out of two MVPs but the third one is a charm. In 2014-15 he lost by a lot to Steph Curry even though it should have been way closer. Plus we have last year with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double and everybody losing their minds and ignoring the fact that the Thunder finished 6th in their conference and lost to Harden in the first round.
"But Westbrook averaged a triple-double this year too. Should he be MVP?"
"No well now it's different."
That is definitely a conversation happening for very salty Rockets fans or even people who are fans of James Harden. Congrats James this should be your second.
Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston
This is most likely a default for me because I have an undying love for Brad Stevens and his ability to make any player efficient in his system. Snyder was able to bring the Jazz back to the playoffs with Gordon Hayward but Stevens also lost Hayward moments into the season and then also lost Kyrie Irving and still managed to have a successful season. Dwane Casey might win but he also got fired from his job so his name should be taken off the ballot because of the fact he would win the award for the team he is no longer with.
Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo, Indiana
This guy has come from being the 2nd overall pick by the Orlando Magic then traded for Serge Ibaka and traded yet again after only one season for Paul George. He landed in Indiana with zero expectations with the team now expected to tank after giving up their star player. But given the circumstances, Oladipo became a star, all-star, and third team all NBA. Ignore the averages
Oladipo has asserted himself among the leagues elite.
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, New Orleans
This is based on the fact I want Davis to walk away from this night a winner and I doubt he leaves this night with the big award. But the versatile shot-blocking machine that Davis is has caused me to pick him over Gobert and Embiid two guys that should have this award in their pocket at some point.
Sixth Man of the Year: Fred VanVleet, Toronto
Although this award should go to the entire bench mob in Toronto there should be some kind of acknowledgment from the league and here it is. VanVleet gave the Raptors the flexibility to play three guards at the end of games which caused a lot of matchup problems. Even though their season ended poorly the regular season that the Raptors had was something they could've built on. Until then enjoy this award Fred (Bench Mob).
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia
The most debated award of this year and most likely of any award recently. Unfortunately, Donovan Mitchell lost this award the day he had Adidas create the petty sweater defining what a rookie is. The sweater actually proved Simmons was a rookie because he hadn't played any games yet. I like Mitchell more but Simmons was the more successful. Too bad for Tatum that he was a great player all regular season and became elite during the playoffs. If the entire season from start to finish was a part of the award I would pick Tatum, but for now, it's Simmons' award. (Maybe if Mitchell wins we can all just steal Malcolm Brogdon's trophy from last year or just say all three have won rookie of the year)
Most Valuable Player: James Harden, Houston
Rookie of the Year may have been the most fun award to debate but this is now the swan song for Harden. He has been screwed out of two MVPs but the third one is a charm. In 2014-15 he lost by a lot to Steph Curry even though it should have been way closer. Plus we have last year with Russell Westbrook averaging a triple-double and everybody losing their minds and ignoring the fact that the Thunder finished 6th in their conference and lost to Harden in the first round.
"But Westbrook averaged a triple-double this year too. Should he be MVP?"
"No well now it's different."
That is definitely a conversation happening for very salty Rockets fans or even people who are fans of James Harden. Congrats James this should be your second.
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