The NBA has decided that the eight remaining games to be played in Orlando won’t be taken into account for the season awards such as the MVP and the Rookie of the Year. I think this is the best decision because players haven’t played an NBA game in over four months. When the NBA season resumes on July 30, players won’t be playing at the same level that they were back in March. Since the deadline for players to make a case for these award has been met, let’s take a look at who should win.
Most Valuable Player
The MVP race was between Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James in Los Angeles. Both players have led their team to the top of their conference. The Bucks have the best record in the NBA at 53-12 while the Lakers are right behind at 49-14. What separates the two?
Giannis Antetokounmpo
2019-20: 29.6 pts, 13.7 reb, 5.8 ast, 1.0 stl, 1.0 blk, 54.7% FG, 30.6% 3PT
The Greek Freak is leading the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, and field-goal percentage per game. Milwaukee’s offense revolves around Giannis by surrounding him with snipers from deep like Kyle Korver and Khris Middleton. Spreading the floor allows Giannis to score in the paint or kick out to an open shooter if the defense helps. The Bucks are first in the NBA in points per game averaging 118.6 points a night and are also leading the league in rebounds grabbing 51.7 each game. Giannis is the major key as to why Milwaukee is leading the league in those categories.
On the defensive side, the Greek Freak stands at 6’11” with a wingspan of 7’3″ and he uses his size and length to intimidate his opponents from entering the paint. Giannis is blocking one shot per game helping his team rank third in blocks per game with 6.0. The Bucks have the best defensive rating of 101.6 and it all starts with the Greek Freak.
LeBron James
2019-20: 25.7 pts, 7.9 reb, 10.6 ast, 1.2 stl, 0.5 blk, 49.8% FG, 34.9% 3PT
LeBron has been the main facilitator for the Lakers without a point guard in the starting lineup. He’s averaging the most assists per game by making the right play and putting his teammates in the best position to score. When LeBron is off the floor, the Lakers offense looks stagnant and teams take advantage of that by going on runs.
When the Lakers need him most, LeBron delivers in the 4th quarter. LeBron’s ability to take over late in games is among the best in the league with his passing and scoring. Los Angeles relies heavily on LeBron to crank up the offense.
Final Verdict: The MVP should go to Giannis Antetokounmpo because he is valuable to his team on both sides of the ball. The Bucks are statistically the best offensive and defensive team in the NBA and the Greek Freak boosts his teams to wins in both faucets. LeBron is valuable to the Lakers but it’s hard to give him the award when he has a top-five player as a teammate in Anthony Davis. In addition, Davis is averaging the most points, rebounds, blocks, and steals for Los Angeles. The last argument is that the Lakers win games with defense as well. They are number one in game averages for blocks, third in defensive rating, and fourth in steals. Despite these rankings, LeBron has little to no value on the defensive side.
Rookie of the Year
Ja Morant
2019-20: 17.6 pts, 3.5 reb, 6.9 ast, 0.9 stl, 49.1% FG, 36.7% 3PT
There may have been an argument for MVP but the Rookie of the Year is locked up by Ja Morant. Morant has carried the Memphis Grizzlies to the eighth seed in the crowded western conference. Last season, the Grizzlies were 33-49 and Mike Conley couldn’t propel the team in playoff contention. Insert Ja Morant and he puts the NBA on notice that he’s coming.
Besides Zion Williamson, who has only appeared in 19 games this year, Morant is ahead of every rookie in points per game. The rookie point guard is showcasing his passing abilities by averaging the most assists in his class.
Most Improved Player
Bam Adebayo
2018-19: 8.9 pts, 7.3 reb, 2.2 ast, 0.9 stl, 0.8 blk, 57.6% FG
2019-20: 16.2 pts, 10.5 reb, 5.1 ast, 1.2 stl, 1.3 blk, 56.7% FG
Bam Adebayo earned his first all-star appearance by becoming a more complete player. Last season, Adebayo wasn’t a scorer but this year he’s raised his point average by about seven points. Adebayo is also averaging five assists which is phenomenal for a big man. Paired with Jimmy Butler, the Heat have overachieved in most people’s eyes. Miami is fourth in the eastern conference with a record of 41-24. Adebayo is now a two-way player who can impact the game on both sides.
Brandon Ingram
2018-19: 18.3 pts, 5.1 reb, 3.0 ast, 0.5 stl, 49.7% FG, 33.0% 3PT, (67.5% FT
2019-20: 24.3 pts, 6.3 reb, 4.3 ast, 1.0 stl, 46.6% FG, 38.7% 3PT, 85.8% FT
Brandon Ingram always had the potential to be a great player in the NBA but his growth was hindered playing with LeBron James. Both players need the ball to amplify their play and Ingram took the biggest hit in Los Angeles. In New Orleans, Ingram is their go-to scorer and showed that he could score consistently.
Ingram increased his averages in points, rebounds, assists, steals, three-point percentage and most notably free-throw percentage. Ingram’s work ethic in the offseason has shown. He’s a better shooter after having a down year last season. Ingram looks more confident in himself and the game that caught my attention was the Christmas game against the Denver Nuggets. Ingram dropped 31 points and a career-high seven threes to lead the Pelicans to victory.
Final Verdict: Both players make a great case for the award but Bam Adebayo is the most improved player this season. Ingram was always a scorer and this year he improved his shooting. Adebayo wasn’t a scorer last season and nearly doubled his scoring output to 16 points per game. Statistically, Adebayo has the bigger jump and he’s become the more complete player.
Defensive Player of the Year
Above I talked about Giannis winning the MVP and how effective he was on the defensive side but the NBA wouldn’t award him the DPOY as well. Anthony Davis has been a defensive force for the Lakers.
Anthony Davis
2019-20: 26.7 pts, 9.4 reb, 3.1 ast, 2.4 blk, 1.5 stl
Anthony Davis is third in the league for blocks per game and is 15th in steals per game. He has been the anchor for the Lakers’ defense being a rim protector and disrupting passing lanes by coming up with steals. The Lakers are averaging the most blocks in the NBA swatting 6.8 shots a game. One of the biggest reasons Los Angeles has been winning games is their effort on defense. Davis deserves the most credit for that and that’s why he’s my pick for DPOY.
Coach of the Year
Nick Nurse
2019-20 record: 46-18 (2nd in East)
The reigning champions in the Toronto Raptors lost Kawhi Leonard in free agency to the Clippers. Everyone thought that the Raptors would take a step back but they pushed forward. Pascal Siakam is leading the team in scoring (23.6) with the green light this year. Nick Nurse inserted Fred VanVleet into the starting lineup and he’s averaging 17.6 pts, 6.6 ast, and 1.9 stl which are all career-highs. Kyle Lowry is more of a scorer this year with Kawhi gone. The point guard duo of Lowry and VanVleet has been successful this season.
Toronto is a team with depth and Nick Nurse has done a great job with rotations. The ball movement is flowing, players are having fun, and six of his players are averaging at least ten points per game. After losing a superstar, Nurse has maintained the Raptors position in east.
Sixth Man of the Year
Lou Williams
2019-20: 18.7 pts, 5.7 ast, 3.1 reb
Lou Williams is doing what we’ve known him to do in past years and that’s come off the bench and close games. Williams is a smart player who can get his own shot and set up plays for others.
Dennis Schröder
2019-20: 19.0 pts, 4.1 ast, 3.7 reb
Dennis Schröder has been a spark off the bench for OKC this season. He can create his own shot and find open teammates as well. Schröder has helped the Thunder overachieve this year. A team always needs a player to carry the load when the starters are resting, and Schröder fulfills his role.
Montrezl Harrell
2019-20: 18.6 pts, 7.1 reb, 1.1 blk
Montrezl Harrell is having his best season when it comes to points and rebounds. He’s been a boost to the Clippers’ bench. He’s a good defender and has enhanced his game offensively. Harrell’s motor is one of the best around the league that is contagious towards his teammates.
Final Verdict: Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell are sixth and seventh in the rotation and they have each other to uplift the bench. Dennis Schröder is carrying the bench by himself. The next highest scorer off the bench is Nerlens Noel who is only putting up 7.7 points a night.