2019/20 NBA Awards
MVP - Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks (29.6PPG, 13.7RPG, 5.8APG, 1SPG, 1BPG)
I’m a big LeBron James fan, but I still can’t go past the Greek Freak as the MVP for season 2019/20. For a lot of LeBron’s career, he was the victim of the “already seen it” curse. Basically, the voters of the award get bored of watching guys put up the same consistent numbers of their previous MVP seasons that they look for reasons not to give it to them again. For once, it seems to be working in LeBron’s favour, as the further the season went, the more noise that was made about his MVP campaign.
Despite the fact that Giannis is putting up more points and rebounds a game than last year, his three point shot has improved and his team was on track to better their 60-win 2018/19 season, some still said LeBron.
I almost fell into the trap, but I’ve stuck strong with Giannis. Putting up Shaq like numbers while adding almost six assists a game on the offensive end. Meanwhile defensively he can guard anyone and does so on any given night and does it superbly well.
Never takes a night off, has led his team to the best record in the league and has improved his game following his first MVP year last season.
Rounding out the top three:
LeBron James - Los Angeles Lakers (25.7PPG, 10.6APG, 7.9RPG, 1.2SPG)
Anthony Davis - Los Angeles Lakers (26.7PPG, 9.4RPG, 3.1APG, 1.5SPG, 2.4BPG)
Rookie of the Year - Ja Morant (17.6PPG, 3.5RPG, 6.9APG)
The hype that Morant and Zion Williamson generated leading into this season was big and they delivered in spades. We only got a glimpse of Zion in 19 quick games, but the consistency and excitement of Morant’s season was fun to watch.
A 6-foot-3 rookie point guard, he came in and was able to take control of the team immediately and have an impact straight off the bat. Before the season ceased Morant had led the Grizzlies to a 32-33 record and sat three and a half games clear in the eighth spot. That is just one less win than Memphis had all of last season and they still had 17 games to play.
His immediate chemistry with second-year rising star Jaren Jackson Jr. has been promising and sets up a fun and different future for the Grizzlies after the grit and grind era.
Might have been a tougher decision had Zion not been injured but Morant will be the deserving winner.
Rounding out the top three:
Zion Williamson - New Orleans Pelicans (23.6PPG, 2.2APG, 6.8RPG)
Kendrick Nunn - Miami Heat (15.6PPG, 3.4APG, 2.7RPG)
Sixth Man of the Year - Dennis Schroder (19PPG, 4.1APG, 3.7RPG)
A seasoned veteran when it comes to the sixth man role but much like his Oklahoma City team, flew under the radar and flourished this season. With the addition of Chris Paul to replace Russell Westbrook, Schroder accepted his back-seat role but played it perfectly.
Playing 30 minutes a game including some crunch time minutes in important games, Schroder’s been the ideal guy to run the second unit that isn’t stacked with talent. Along with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander have dragged the Thunder to a 40-24 record and the fifth seed, one of the most impressive seasons by a team this year.
Rounding out the top three:
Lou Williams - Los Angeles Clippers (18.7PPG, 5.7APG, 3.1RPG)
Montrezl Harrell - Los Angeles Clippers (18.6PPG, 7.1RPG, 1.1BPG)
Defensive Player of the Year - Anthony Davis (26.7PPG, 9.4RPG, 3.1APG, 1.5SPG, 2.4BPG)
For the first time in his career he has been able to focus on his own game instead of having to carry an entire franchise and it’s shown in his form. Has been superb on the offensive end but defensively he’s led the way for the Lakers and helped them become a top three defensive team in the league.
Has stayed relatively injury free which is so important especially for AD who has struggled with injuries most of his career. Third in the league in blocks and grabbing more than a steal a game he’s done it all on that end of the floor.
Rounding out the top three:
Rudy Gobert - Utah Jazz (15.1PPG, 13.7RPG, 2BPG)
Giannis Antetokounmpo - Milwaukee Bucks (29.6PPG, 13.7RPG, 5.8APG, 1SPG, 1BPG)
Most Improved Player - Brandon Ingram (24.3PPG, 4.3APG, 6.3RPG)
I won’t lie, I didn’t know if Ingram had it in him before the season started. Built and plays similarly to Kevin Durant but lacked the explosiveness, athleticism and shooting that KD has in my opinion. He has proven me wrong though and taken the jump that everyone expects of a lottery pick.
Shoots the ball with a lot of confidence which has shown in his numbers and his playmaking ability has improved in the fast-paced New Orleans offence. Watch a Pelican’s game and it’s clear he has taken that next step in his mindset as well. Wants to be the guy, wants the ball in the big moments and every time he drives he is looking to dunk on everyone. Has lived up to the hype and I’m excited to see what he can do alongside a healthy Zion in the 2020/21 season.
Rounding out the top three:
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander - Oklahoma City Thunder (19.3PPG, 3.3APG, 6.1RPG, 1.1SPG)
Devonte' Graham - Charlotte Hornets (18.2PPG, 7.5APG, 3.4RPG, 1SPG)
Coach of the Year - Nick Nurse - Toronto Raptors (46-18, second in the East)
Loses his best player and one of the best players in the league, the reigning Finals MVP and was on track to equal and even better the Raptors record from last season.
The narrative once Kawhi Leonard left was that the Raptors would fall back to the pack, more around the fifth to eighth seed, but their play this season thanks to Nurse, Pascal Siakam and Kyle Lowry has been the story of the season.
Nurse has helped the Raptors to a clear second seed, three games clear of Boston and almost six games clear of fourth placed Miami. His ability to run a strong system and put his trust in the up and coming Siakam has been impressive and reminded me a lot of the 2004 champion Detroit Pistons. It’s a tough ask especially when a superstar leaves but Nurse has done it and he deserves to win his first coach of the year award.
Rounding out the top three:
Erik Spoelstra - Miami Heat
Frank Vogel - Los Angeles Lakers
All-NBA First Team
G – LeBron James
G – Luke Doncic
F – Kawhi Leonard
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo
F – Anthony Davis
All-NBA Second Team
G – James Harden
G – Damian Lillard
F – Pascal Siakam
F – Nikola Jokic
F – Rudy Gobert
All-NBA Third Team
G – Trae Young
G – Bradley Beal
F – Jimmy Butler
F – Jayson Tatum
F – Joel Embiid
NBA All-Rookie First Team
G – Ja Morant
G – Kendrick Nunn
F – RJ Barrett
F – Zion Williamson
F – Brandon Clarke
NBA All-Rookie Second Team
G – Coby White
G – Tyler Herro
F – Eric Paschall
F – Matisse Thybulle
F – P.J. Washington
NBA All-Defensive First Team
G – Ben Simmons
G – Kawhi Leonard
F – Giannis Antetokounmpo
F – Anthony Davis
F – Rudy Gobert
NBA All-Defensive Second Team
G – Eric Bledsoe
G – Jrue Holiday
F – Robert Convington
F – Myles Turner
F – Brook Lopez