NBA Awards Season (Puma Style)

The playoffs has already begun so I probably should have had the end of season awards already done. But then again you're getting free content so you should be grateful for what I do give you! This season was pretty damn entertaining I'll say. And did a season really come to an end if your boy young Lamborghini Stephenson didn't give you his arbitrary awards for this season? So without further ado, here we go.

Coach of the Year: Quinn Snyder, Utah Jazz
This one is gonna shock a few I know, but on the last day of the season I saw that the Utah Jazz not only made the playoffs but they were the 5th seed. Then I looked at the roster and other than Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert I can't think of any player on the roster I'd be super amped about and Mitchell was an unknown coming into the season. A solid group of guys but eh, not a team I'd expect to make noise. Snyder held together a team that traded away pieces, lost their best player in Gordon Hayward and had to navigate through the more difficult Western Conference.

Not bad for a guy who looks like the overworked scientist who eventually becomes a super villain.
Runner Ups: Dwayne Casey, Brad Stevens

Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo, Indiana Pacers
This is by far the easiest award for me to hand out. The first 4 seasons of his career he was just a guy. A totally serviceable starter but if he was "the guy" you may be screwed. After being sent to Indy in the Paul George trade, he had a renaissance.

He also gets an MVP vote for using the Black Panther mask.

Always a very good defensive player this season his offense caught up and he has been the man on a team that had no business making the playoffs. It also took a ton of pressure off Myles Turner to allow him to develop more before asking him to shoulder the load. Just a virtuoso performance this season.
Runner Up: Clint Capela

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers
Lou Williams may legit be the NBA's version of the world's most interesting man and he has definitely taken the mantle of the most dangerous second unit scorer from Jamal Crawford. In fact Williams played so well this season that there was (rightfully) outcry when he wasn't named to the All Star team. It's not often a guy who doesn't even start for his team gets that kind of love. He wasn't just a dangerous scorer,  he averaged over 5 assists and a steal a game as well. Truly Lou-Will is a jack of all trades.
Runner Up: Will Barton

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
This has for some reason become a controversial pick, given that Simmons was drafted 2 seasons ago and missed all last season. I say you haven't played one game then you're a rookie. That said, holy shit what a season.

I mean this guy literally did it all, and he did it without a jumper! 15.5 points, 8 assists, 8 boards and almost 2 steals a game. He has the best court vision of any rookie, and possibly better than any player not named Lebron James. And while Donovan Mitchell has been amazing it took time for him to acclimate to the speed of the game, with Simmons he was out the gates running early. Also he has given himself the nickname of "the Fresh prince" which is just delightful.
Runner Up: Donovan Mitchell

Most Important Player: Lebron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Look Jordan fans, we have got to stop being the fans we hated in our youth. It's possible to to think MJ is the GOAT (like I do) and recognize we're seeing something we've never seen before in LeBron. If you were to remove Bron from the Cavs let's be honest, this team is a lottery team.

No player is more important to the success of his team than him and I believe we have arrived at that territory where you can legit argue that every year he is worthy of the MVP.
Runner Up: Anthony Davis

Most Valuable Player: James Harden, Houston Rockets
Three things in this life are certain. Death, taxes and James Harden getting buckets any damn way he pleases. A few years ago I scoffed when it was announced he'd be playing more point guard and what did he do? He goes out and leads the league in assists.

Then they add Chris Paul and I think well his numbers are gonna drop, what does he do? Lead the league in scoring. Using his Euro step, step back and underrated crossover he has become one of the most unstoppable players in the league. Even if you stop him, he always finds the open man has evidenced by his almost 9 assists a game.
Runner Up: Anthony Davis

All Puma Team
G- James Harden
G- Damian Lillard
F- Lebron James 
F- Giannis Antetokounmpo
C- Anthony Davis

All Puma Rookie Team
G- Donovan Mitchell
F- Kyle Kuzma
F- Ben Simmons
F- Lauri Markanen
F- Jayson Tatum

Well there you have it, my opinion on this season's top performers. Now be like me, stay up far too late watching basketball and in an exhausted haze curse out Terry Stotts on your commute to work.