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It’s that time of the year again! The NBA season kicked off this week, which means we here at The 3 Point Conversion are kicking into NBA mode. In that spirit, we had to make our yearly NBA awards predictions. Sure, the awards won’t be handed out for almost nine months but it’s never too early to start speculating. Without further ado, here are our NBA awards predictions. Let the debating begin.
Most Valuable Player- Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Most people would say that LeBron James is the frontrunner because of the role he’s going to have to play and the numbers he’ll have to put up. Others may say Giannis Antetokounmpo and James Harden who consistently look unstoppable against other teams. However, given how valuable of a player Anthony Davis has been to the New Orleans Pelicans, it may be the year he gets his due. Last year, the Pelicans made it to the sixth seed in the Western Conference, which earned him a third place finish in the MVP voting. With the Pelicans slowly rising the ranks of the west and Davis just entering his prime, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine him walking away with the hardware. It’s almost a lock that he’ll improve upon his numbers from last year, including his 28.1 points per game, 2.57 blocks per game(league leader), 11.1 rebounds per game and 2.3 assists per game.–Eric Urbanowicz
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley-Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Alex Bab-Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Allen Fields-Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Damian Adams-Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Raphael Haynes-Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Defensive Player of the Year- Joel Embiid-Philadelphia 76ers
Joel Embiid finished third in the Defensive Player of the Year voting last season and should jump right to the top of the list this season. He won’t be without competition: reigning winner Rudy Gobert will still be in the mix, as will previous winners Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green. Also look for a few others to get involved, particularly Clint Capela and Giannis Antetokounmpo. Many are predicting this will be Anthony Davis’ year to take home the award but with more offensive responsibilities, Davis is a better bet for the MVP than the award for the other end of the floor.
The 76ers had the 3rd ranked defense in the NBA last season, thanks to Embiid as a true defensive anchor. He averaged 11 rebound and 1.8 blocks per game as the Sixer’s defense funneled everything the big man’s way. He is a true rim protector who ends opposing possessions. He’s capable enough when switched out to the perimeter as well. The numbers tell the story of Embiid’s impact: the Sixers posted a 99.7 defensive rating with him on the floor but the number climbed to 104 with him off it. The Sixers should be one of the top teams in the NBA this season with one it’s top defensive units. They’ll find their success by trusting “The Process”, i.e. the towering center watching their backs.–Alex Bab
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley-DeAndre Jordan, Dallas Mavericks
Allen Fields-Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
Damian Adams-Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors
Eric Urbanowicz-Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Raphael Haynes-Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Rookie Of The Year-Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
The top candidate has to be Luka Doncic. He will partner with super athletic Dennis Smith Jr to form an up and coming dynamic backcourt in Dallas. With the ball in his hands as the lead guard, he will also have a chance to really spark the team. He will have a hand in many statistical categories due to his versatility. His calm personality and demeanor will serve him well in his initial NBA season.
Being on a better team will magnify his impact. Along with Smith Jr, Doncic will be the face of the franchise and usher in a new post-Dirk Nowitzki era. Doncic has given the franchise and fans reason to be optimistic about the future. His skill set is transferable to the NBA. He has a sneaky good handle, uncanny vision, a gifted passer and yeah, he can flat out shoot. His confidence and basketball IQ belies his youth. His smile is infectious too. It’s not a matter of if he’ll be a star but rather when.-Allen Fields
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Los Angeles Clippers
Alex Bab- Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Damian Adams-DeAndre Ayton, Phoenix Suns
Eric Urbanowicz-Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks
Raphael Haynes-Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Sixth Man Of The Year- Carmelo Anthony, Houston Rockets
Carmelo Anthony has been a starter in every season he’s been in the NBA. Most say he will have to adjust to coming off the bench but with the style and players he’s playing with, this move should prompt him to be the Sixth man of the Year. The game has always came easy for him although the last few years, he’s seemed a bit slower. What should change for him is playing in Mike D’Antoni’s system, where you don’t get punished for shooting. The difference this time is D’Antoni has other superstars so it’s not clogged up like it was in New York.
The other major factor is playing with two future Hall of Famers who loves to share the ball. Having James Harden who’s been in D’Antoni’s system for three years (9.1 apg) and Chris Paul last year (7.9 apg), he will have ample opportunity to gun, and with his skill-set of shooting, “Melo” should average 18-22 points a game.–Raphael Haynes
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley-Kyle Kuzma, Los Angeles Lakers
Alex Bab-Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
Allen Fields-Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
Damian Adams-Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
Eric Urbanowicz-Terry Rozier, Boston Celtics
Most Improved Player- Markelle Fultz, Philadelphia 76ers
Markelle Fultz might have been the number one pick in the 2017 NBA Draft but his rookie season was less than stellar. A shoulder injury held him to only 14 games and hindered his jumpshot tremendously. He’s now healthy, has worked on his jumper in the off season and he was just named the starting shooting guard of the Philadelphia 76ers.
This promotion will give Fultz plenty of opportunities to show off his one-on-one skills and he will receive plenty of passes in great positions from point guard Ben Simmons. You could easily see his 7.1 points per game in 2017 jump up to 15-16 points. If Fultz can remain healthy, not only will his numbers go up but the 76ers’ chance of winning their conference will go up as well.-Ab Stanley
Other Writer’s Selections:
Alex Bab-Julius Randle, New Orleans Pelicans
Allen Fields-Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets
Damian Adams-Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Eric Urbanowicz-Aaron Gordon, Orlando Magic
Raphael Haynes-Bryn Forbes, San Antonio Spurs
Coach Of The Year- Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
There are several great coaches in the NBA right now. Steve Kerr, Gregg Popovich, Mike D’antoni, and Mike Budenholzer come to mind, among others. Even with all these great coaches there is one coach that stands out for his ability to draw up a play in any situation and get the best out of all of his players. Boston Celtics’ head coach Brad Stevens gets praised for his coaching ability from fans and contemporaries alike. This season he has a team with the capability of winning 65 or more games. If the Boston Celtics have the number one seed in the east and best record in the NBA, Stevens has to win coach of the year.-Damian Adams
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley-Quin Snyder, Utah Jazz
Alex Bab-Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Allen Fields-Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Eric Urbanowicz-Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics
Raphael Haynes-Dwane Casey, Detroit Pistons
