Predicting the NBA Award Winners

With the NBA regular season coming to a close and the NBA awards night coming up, we will be handing out the awards to the players who we think are the most deserving of them. Who wins MVP? Who is the DPOY? Find out who we think is deserving of these prestigious awards this year. 

MVP (Most Valuable Player)

"James Harden" by Keith Allison is licensed under C.C by 2.0

Umaid: James Harden
Jonathan: James Harden

Need there be any explanation. Averaging a league high 30.4 points per game along with 8.8 assists and 5.4 rebounds, James Harden was impossible to stop night in and night out. Harden also had the highest PER in the league at 29.87 as he led the Rockets to a franchise best win total. Chris Paul was injured for a chunk of the season but it did not stop Harden at all. He put up the league's first ever 60 point triple double. Although Lebron had a dominant season as well (and he is the best player in the world), remember this is a regular season award and Harden put up better stats and led his team to the best record in the league. There is no doubt that Harden is deserving of finally winning the MVP. 

ROY (Rookie of the Year)
Umaid: Donovan Mitchell 
Donovan Mitchell is a ROOKIE. Ben Simmons red shirted his first year and got the help of professionals. He got to see the NBA up close and it was a easier adjustment for him with that one year under his belt. On top of that Mitchell was the unquestioned leader on his team as a rookie. Embiid was leading the Sixers. Factor that in with the fact Mitchell scored 20+ point per game and led his team to the playoffs despite multiple injuries in the Western Conference should give him ROY honours. Mitchell led his team to the playoffs in the harder conference in his first year of being in the NBA. 

Jonathan: Ben Simmons

"Ben Simmons" by Keith Allison is licensed under C.C by 2.0

Yes I know. Ben Simmons is not technically a rookie. However, this was the first year he played in the NBA and should be declared the Rookie of the Year. And while Donovan Mitchell had an insane year, Simmons had an all-time great rookie year. Averaging 15.8 points per game, 8.2 assists per game and 8.1 rebounds per game Simmons was a handful to contain, even for the best defenses (and despite not having a semblance of a jump shot). Simmons's vision for a forward is reminiscent of Lebron James, something he displayed on the court every game. Also, Simmons had the highest PER of all rookies at 20.03 and was able to lead the Sixers to third seed. And Simmons did lead the Sixers. When Embiid was out for 18 games, Simmons was the one who led the Sixers to new heights. Its, indisputable, Ben Simmons deserves the rookie of the year. 

DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year)

"Anthony Davis" by Keith Allison is licensed under C.C by 2.0

Umaid: Anthony Davis
With Cousins out the Pelicans and Davis relied on their defensive ability to win games. A defense anchored by AD.  

Jonathan: Rudy Gobert
When Rudy Gobert was out this season, the Jazz's defense suffered and the whole team overall struggled. With Gobert on the court, the Jazz were the best defensive team in the league, allowing a mere 97.9 points per 100 possessions (the Celtics led the league at 101.5). Add in he's averaging 2.27 blocks per game and Gobert's impact on the defensive end becomes unparalleled. And as a result, the Jazz vaulted into the playoff race and finished with the 5th seed in the Western Conference. If Gobert doesn't win DPOY again, it will be an embarrassment as he is clearly the most impact player on the defensive end in the whole league. 


Sixth Man Award
Umaid: Lou Williams
Jonathan: Lou Williams

When your sixth man is in contention to make it to the All-Star game, there is no question he should win the Sixth Man Award. And that's exactly what Lou Williams did this season. Williams averaged a career high 22.6 points off the bench. He was easily the Clippers best and most exciting player this year and definitely deserves the Sixth Man Award. 

MIP (Most Improved Player)
Umaid: Victor Oladipo
Jonathan: Victor Oladipo

"Victor Oladipo" by Keith Allison is licensed under C.C by 2.0

Is there a legitimate argument for anyone else in the league to win the MIP other than Victor Oladipo? Yeah didn't think so. 





NBA Coach of the Year
Umaid: Quin Snyder
When the Utah Jazz lost their star Gordon Hayward in free agency, it looked like the Jazz were going to have to tank. However, what they did in the regular season was the complete opposite of tanking. Thanks to the emergence of Donovan Mitchell, the defensive impact of Rudy Gobert and the contributions of a rejuvenated Ricky Rubio, the Jazz stormed their way to the 5th seed in the ultra-competitive Western Conference. But the amazing play from the Jazz players should not overshadow what Quin Snyder has been able to do with this team.

Jonathan: Dwane Casey
Yes the Raptors season ended in disappointment. Yes, Dwane Casey is no longer the coach of the Toronto Raptors. However, that shouldn't take away from impact and success Casey had this year. Spearheading the culture reset, Casey helped the Raptors move away from iso ball and stressed ball movement and more threes. And the results speak for themselves. Number one seed in the east and a franchise record 59 wins. Although it will be an awkward acceptance speech, Casey still deserves the Coach of the Year Award for helping the Raptors soar to new heights. 

NBA Executive of the Year Award
Umaid: Danny Ainge
I mean at this point is there really anybody disputing that Danny Ainge is the best GM in the league. Last year the Celtics were the best team in the Eastern Conference and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals. Most GM's would have just continued to build on a team that made a trip to the conference finals. But not Ainge. He dealt IT, the best player on his team (and a fan favourite), for Kyrie Irving, a huge win for the Celtics. In addition he stole Jayson Tatum with the third pick and in the process gained another high first round pick. He signed a marquee free agent in Gordon Hayward. Although the Celtics were decimated with injuries this season, they still found immense success and were just inches away from reaching the NBA finals. 

Jonathan: Daryl Morey
Daryl Morey has done a fantastic job as the GM of the Houston Rockets this season. He has helped build a legitimate championship contender, and if it weren't for a freak injury to Chris Paul, the Rockets could very well be the NBA champions. He made the blockbuster trade to acquire Chris Paul, a move that has helped James Harden conserve energy for a deep playoff run and made the Rockets much more dangerous. In addition, in the off season, he was able to sign P.J. Tucker, a player who made a huge impact for the Rockets this season. and Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, another efficient role player. Also, resigning Nene was a strong under the radar move to bolster the Rocket's front court depth.  If anything, Morey should be rewarded for the juggernaut he has built in Houston.