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It’s almost that time of year. The NBA season is just around the corner, which means The 3 Point Conversion team has to start the way-too-early prognosticating. Judging by our predictions from last year, it’s an inexact science to predict June’s award winners eight months early. Regardless, we are undeterred. Here are our pre-season NBA award winners for this season. Let’s see how many we get right this time around…
Most Valuable Player – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Yes, Antetokounmpo won the MVP last year and realistically, there’s no one with a better chance to take the award home this year either. Keep in mind, the Greek Freak is only 24 years old, which means he is still getting better. That’s a terrifying thought for the other 29 teams in the league.
Antetokounmpo is already one of the best two-way players in the league and finished in the top three in Defensive Player Of The Year race last year, in addition to taking home MVP honors. The only weakness in his game is his lack of outside shooting. Well, the Bucks signed Kyle Korver this summer and according to reports, Antetokounmpo is working on his outside shooting with the veteran marksman. Almost seems unfair, doesn’t it?
There will be others in the running but Antetokounmpo will be asked to do more on a nightly basis because he lacks a true superstar teammate to share the burden. While players like LeBron James, James Harden and Anthony Davis will have more help, the Greek Freak will once again have to do everything for Milwaukee. Considering the East should be a relative cake-walk for the Bucks, Antetokounmpo will be the best player on the team with the best record: a good recipe for a repeat MVP year. – Alex Bab
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley – Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Allen Fields – LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
Danny Thompson – Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Mike Patton – Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Raphael Haynes – Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Defensive Player Of The Year – Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Last year, we saw Draymond Green’s play affected by his frustrations with then teammate Kevin Durant and an injury-plagued season. It made Green look like a shell of himself: he was not the dramatic, aggressive, intense player that we’re used to.
This season should be different due to not only being healthy but also personnel changes. Durant is gone and maybe their second best defender Klay Thompson is out for a significant amount of time, which means more responsibility for Green. He’s is the only player in the NBA who can guard every position and do it well.
Green should have something to prove, especially after not being named to the All-Star Game in two years. His defense gets himself and the Warriors going. He will relish having to guard the best player on every team almost every single night. – Raphael Haynes
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley – Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Alex Bab – Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
Allen Fields – Mitchell Robinson, New York Knicks
Danny Thompson – Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
Mike Patton – Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
Rookie Of The Year – R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks
With all of the attention being paid to his college teammate Zion Williamson in New Orleans, most NBA observers will forget how good Barrett is. He’s arguably the best scorer in his entire class and can score from almost anywhere on the court. On a team in the Big Apple that is one of the league’s youngest, the now 20-year-old shooting guard will be the focal point of the team in the upcoming season.
He can score the basketball from almost anywhere on the court, create his own shot and get to the free throw line. Now Barrett has to put it all together for a full season. On top of the scoring touch, he is a solid rebounder and an underrated passer from the shooting guard spot.
With the Knicks not being anywhere close to being a playoff team in the upcoming season, Barrett should have plenty of chances (or shots) to steal the award away from the better-known Williamson. – Danny Thompson
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley – R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks
Allen Fields – Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
Alex Bab – Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Mike Patton – Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
Raphael Haynes – R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks
Sixth Man Of The Year – Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Nets
With the big time additions of Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant, it’s hard for people to remember that the Brooklyn Nets were a playoff team last season. A big part of that regular season success was their first man off the bench, Spencer Dinwiddie.
Dinwiddie had serious consideration for this award last season before a thumb injury sidelined him in January. The 6’6″ point guard has a knack for getting into the paint and finishing with crafty moves. He averaged 16.8 points on 44% shooting, while adding 4.6 assists per game.
With Irving’s injury history and Durant’s current injury, Brooklyn might need his offense more than ever. One thing is for sure: if he remains healthy, you can bet Dinwiddie will be a big part of any success the Nets have this season. – Ab Stanley
Other Writer’s Selections:
Alex Bab – Domantas Sabonis, Indiana Pacers
Allen Fields – Jabari Parker, Atlanta Hawks
Danny Thompson – Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
Mike Patton – Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
Raphael Haynes – Jabari Parker, Atlanta Hawks
Most Improved Player – Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier and Al Horford have all departed. This leaves a huge void to fill. Not only will Brown’s minutes increase but so will his shot attempts. His overall game has gotten better each season.
It’s not just about his talent but more importantly, it will be the opportunity to plug in some of the holes left by the three aforementioned players who have moved on.
It’s year four of his young career and you know what that means: contract year. Players always seem to have very productive statistical seasons on the eve of free agency. This is the kind of incentive that will have him putting in extra work in the offseason knowing what’s at stake. The question is how big a jump will he make? Enough to win this award. – Allen Fields
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley – Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
Alex Bab – OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Danny Thompson – Markelle Fultz, Orlando Magic
Mike Patton – OG Anunoby, Toronto Raptors
Raphael Haynes – Isaiah Thomas, Washington Wizards
Coach Of The Year – Alvin Gentry, New Orleans Pelicans
Last season in New Orleans was a nightmare for Alvin Gentry with the entire Anthony Davis saga. This year, he gets to start over with a different number one overall pick in Zion Williamson.
With the trade of Davis, they were able to acquire wing player Brandon Ingram, point guard Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart, along with picks to help fill out their roster.
With the newly-shaped roster of the Pelicans, Gentry gets a squad that fits exactly what he wants to do: push the tempo. The expectation is excitement but this Pelicans team is good enough to make the playoffs. If Gentry pulls that off, it will earn him NBA Coach of the Year. – Mike Patton
Other Writer’s Selections:
Ab Stanley – Rick Carlisle, Dallas Mavericks
Alex Bab – Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Allen Fields – Nate McMillan, Indiana Pacers
Danny Thompson – Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
Raphael Haynes – Doc Rivers, Los Angeles Clippers