The NBA season starts tonight and it’s time to lock in my season award predictions for the Rookie of the Year, MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and more.
Rookie of the Year
Lamelo Ball
Lamelo Ball was selected third in this year’s draft by the Charlotte Hornets and he has the most potential out of all the prospects that were on the board. Ball is 6’7″ with a great ball-handle for his size and has fantastic court vision with his flashy passes.
In the four Hornets preseason games Ball came off the bench and backed up Terry Rozier and Devonte’ Graham. I believe sometime during the season, Ball will enter the starting lineup once he gets a little comfortable with NBA competition.
Other rookies like Anthony Edwards and James Wiseman are playing on teams with all-star caliber teammates and it’s hard for me to see them winning rookie of the year because their skills won’t be on full display.
Most Improved Player
Dejounte Murray
Dejounte Murray’s ACL injury back in 2018 has halted his development but he’s healthy now and ready to get the Spurs back in the playoffs in the near future. Last season Murray averaged 10.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Murray has good size at 6’4″ and active hands as a defender, and he has a quick first step to beat defenders and finish inside.
Murray can increase his point average to around 17 points if he looks to be more aggressive on offense and can hit perimeter shots. To see a boost in his assist totals, Gregg Popovich will have to allow Murray to have the ball in his hands more to orchestrate the offense which could happen this season. I’ve seen glimpses of Murray playing at a high level on both sides and it could be on a more consistent basis this season.
Sixth Man of the Year
Caris Levert
Based on the two preseason games, it looks like Caris Levert will be coming off the bench for the Brooklyn Nets with Kyrie Irving and Spencer Dinwiddie plugged into the backcourt. Levert scored 18.7 points per contest and is a good enough player to start on other teams and the Nets are fortunate to have that talented of a starting lineup.
It’s somewhat of the same scenario as Lou Williams in years past. He’ll come off the bench and provide consistent scoring when starters are resting. Levert can shoot the ball and finish in the lane. His one-on-one game improved as we saw in the bubble when Brooklyn needed him to hit shots down the stretch. Levert should win the Sixth Man of the Year award with ease because he’s so talented.
Coach of the Year
Brad Stevens
Brad Stevens has a talented duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown that are on the rise. Stevens along with the duo have reached two conference finals and look to get over the hump this season. The Celtics will be a top three seed this season no matter how long Kemba Walker is out for with his knee injury.
Brad Stevens had some shortcomings in the playoffs when the Celtics were going against a zone last postseason. The Toronto Raptors were able to force seven games in the semifinals and the Miami Heat knocked off Boston by forcing them to take poor shots.
During this short offseason, I expect Coach Stevens to emphasize more ball movement and less three-pointers. On top of that, I believe Stevens found a way to combat zone defense. Expect the Celtics to be a top three seed in the east and Stevens could win the Coach of the Year award.
Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony Davis
Anthony Davis was the clear runner-up when it came to the Defensive Player of the Year award last season, and he should pick up where he left off this season. Last season, Davis blocked 2.3 shots a game, and tallied 1.5 steals a game.
Davis might have a bigger load this season on both sides of the ball as LeBron becomes a year older. Davis has incredible lateral speed when defending quick guards to block layups and of course he can defend all bigs across the league. The Brow’s wingspan is about 7’6″ allowing him to disrupt passing lanes and rack up steals. Davis should be in the conversation again for the Defensive Player of the Year award.
Most Valuable Player
Kevin Durant
Kevin Durant is coming off a tough achilles injury in 2019 and came back prematurely in the NBA Finals but he’s back now with a new team in Brooklyn. Durant decided to leave Golden State and join his best friend Kyrie Irving to win a championship wit the Nets.
Durant wants to put the world on notice for those who forgot how phenomenal of a player he is or those who disqualify his two rings with the Warriors. The 7 footer has had plenty of time to recover and rehab and he should be 90% of what he was this season which is good enough to win the MVP award. They say the MVP award always has a narrative, well Durant is the comeback kid ready to take his throne.
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