NBA Award Finalist Reaction
Coach of the Year Finalist - Mike D'Antoni Houston Rockets, Eric Erik Spoelstra Miami Heat, Gregg Popovich San Antonio Spurs
Mike D'Antoni is my favorite to win this award. The main thing I look for in a Coach of the Year is the turnaround in team record. Last season the Rockets were 41-41 and turned it around to 55-27. Popovich is a mainstay as a Coach of the Year finalist. The Spurs have been title contenders for as far back as I can remember. Surprised Eric Spoelstra a finalist. I like the job he's doing with Hassan Whiteside and that roster but the Heat missed the playoffs. Feel like Utah's Quin Snyder should've been a finalist. The Jazz missed the playoffs last season and had a losing record. This season Utah finished 5th in the west and knocked out the favorite L.A. Clippers.
Sixth Man of the Year - Lou Williams Houston Rockets, Eric Gordon Houston Rockets, Andre Iguodala Golden State Warriors
My preseason pick for this award was Eric Gordon and I'll stick with that. Gordon was second to Lou Williams in scoring off the bench and was a key contributor to Houston's 3rd seed finish. Lou Williams would've won this award if he would've stayed with the Lakers but he was traded mid season to Houston which cut his shots down. Iguodala is one of the most important pieces to the Warriors especially after losing most of their bench scoring in free agency last summer. Iguodala will be the x-factor for Golden State in the finals but during the regular season didn't have as big of an impact for his team as the other two finalist.
Most Improved Player - Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz, Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets
All three players are deserving to be finalist. Antetokounmpo should win this award hands down. Giannis started the season hot but after Jabari Parker went down with a season ending injury, Antetokounmpo had to play a larger role in carrying the Bucks to the 5th seed. Rudy Gobert a top 5 center in the league with his great shot blocking ability and pick and roll offense. Nikola Jokic can also be in the top 5 at the center position but made his biggest push for the award after the all star break,
Defensive Player of the Year - Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs, Draymond Green Golden State Warriors, Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz
Besides MVP this is the close award race. All three players have a valid case. Gobert lead the league in block shots per game with 2.6. Kawhi is the reigning two time Defensive Player of the Year and played great defense this season but this is Draymond's year. After Kevin Durant's injury Green became the only post defender for the Warriors and they still finished with the best record in the NBA. Draymond guards all positions and lead the league in steals this season.
Rookie of the Year - Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers, Dario Saric Philadelphia 76ers, Malcolm Brogdon Milwaukee Bucks
Embiid showed everyone that "The Process" is real but only played 31 games. Teammate Dario averaged 12 points a game and improved throughout the season. But I'm going with Brogdon to win this award.The second round pick earned a starting spot for a playoff team and lead all rookies in steals and assist. With Jason Kidd coaching the ceiling for Brogdon has grown tremendously.
Most Valuable Player -James Harden Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder, Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs
This is the closest MVP race in recent history. James Harden lead the league in assist, second in scoring and averaged 8 rebounds. Going from 41 to 55 wins is more than enough to be the MVP in any other season by this one. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple double. I know most people care about team wins but the MVP is an individual award and Westbrook had the best individual regular season I've ever seen. Kawhi Leonard had a great season as well for the Spurs. Leonard took over the leadership role and improved offensive by leaps and bounds. There are seasons throughout history that each on of these finalist would win the award.
Mike D'Antoni is my favorite to win this award. The main thing I look for in a Coach of the Year is the turnaround in team record. Last season the Rockets were 41-41 and turned it around to 55-27. Popovich is a mainstay as a Coach of the Year finalist. The Spurs have been title contenders for as far back as I can remember. Surprised Eric Spoelstra a finalist. I like the job he's doing with Hassan Whiteside and that roster but the Heat missed the playoffs. Feel like Utah's Quin Snyder should've been a finalist. The Jazz missed the playoffs last season and had a losing record. This season Utah finished 5th in the west and knocked out the favorite L.A. Clippers.
Sixth Man of the Year - Lou Williams Houston Rockets, Eric Gordon Houston Rockets, Andre Iguodala Golden State Warriors
My preseason pick for this award was Eric Gordon and I'll stick with that. Gordon was second to Lou Williams in scoring off the bench and was a key contributor to Houston's 3rd seed finish. Lou Williams would've won this award if he would've stayed with the Lakers but he was traded mid season to Houston which cut his shots down. Iguodala is one of the most important pieces to the Warriors especially after losing most of their bench scoring in free agency last summer. Iguodala will be the x-factor for Golden State in the finals but during the regular season didn't have as big of an impact for his team as the other two finalist.
Most Improved Player - Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz, Giannis Antetokounmpo Milwaukee Bucks, Nikola Jokic Denver Nuggets
All three players are deserving to be finalist. Antetokounmpo should win this award hands down. Giannis started the season hot but after Jabari Parker went down with a season ending injury, Antetokounmpo had to play a larger role in carrying the Bucks to the 5th seed. Rudy Gobert a top 5 center in the league with his great shot blocking ability and pick and roll offense. Nikola Jokic can also be in the top 5 at the center position but made his biggest push for the award after the all star break,
Defensive Player of the Year - Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs, Draymond Green Golden State Warriors, Rudy Gobert Utah Jazz
Besides MVP this is the close award race. All three players have a valid case. Gobert lead the league in block shots per game with 2.6. Kawhi is the reigning two time Defensive Player of the Year and played great defense this season but this is Draymond's year. After Kevin Durant's injury Green became the only post defender for the Warriors and they still finished with the best record in the NBA. Draymond guards all positions and lead the league in steals this season.
Rookie of the Year - Joel Embiid Philadelphia 76ers, Dario Saric Philadelphia 76ers, Malcolm Brogdon Milwaukee Bucks
Embiid showed everyone that "The Process" is real but only played 31 games. Teammate Dario averaged 12 points a game and improved throughout the season. But I'm going with Brogdon to win this award.The second round pick earned a starting spot for a playoff team and lead all rookies in steals and assist. With Jason Kidd coaching the ceiling for Brogdon has grown tremendously.
Most Valuable Player -James Harden Houston Rockets, Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder, Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs
This is the closest MVP race in recent history. James Harden lead the league in assist, second in scoring and averaged 8 rebounds. Going from 41 to 55 wins is more than enough to be the MVP in any other season by this one. Russell Westbrook averaged a triple double. I know most people care about team wins but the MVP is an individual award and Westbrook had the best individual regular season I've ever seen. Kawhi Leonard had a great season as well for the Spurs. Leonard took over the leadership role and improved offensive by leaps and bounds. There are seasons throughout history that each on of these finalist would win the award.
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