NBA First Half Season Awards

Ah yes we have reached the All Star break of the best league going. And while my predictions for how the season would play out have taken quite a hit, I can assure that this little hiccup is not going to stop me from taking off my prognosticating hat and giving you the opinion that you didn't ask for. You know why? Because I'm a magnanimous bastard, that's why.

Rookie of the Year: 
Ooooh boy was this a tough one. This year's rookie class has been a pleasant surprise And even given the above average play as a whole of this class, we're really only talking about two people who could possibly win this award. Ben Simmons who is averaging 16.5 ppg, 7.5 reb and 7.5 assists per night and Donovan Mitchell who is averaging 19.6 ppg, 3.5 rpg, and 3.5 apg. Now while I love Mitchell's game, and also anyone with the nickname "Spider" I think given his play making and defensive acumen I have to give the award to Ben Simmons.

He's 6'10. He shouldn't be doing this.

Winner: Ben Simmons

Defensive Player of the Year:
Usually this one is one of the harder ones for me to award. Do you go with the one that puts up the best defensive stats or do you go with someone who leads in one of the top defensive metrics. Well before his injury the leader in both would have been quite ease as Rudy Gobert was running away with the award. Now that he is injured the next man up for me is none other than the Process himself, Joel Embiid. Embiid has amazing footwork, can guard all 5 positions and talks shit like no one else. Long live the Process!

Winner: Joel Embiid

Most Improved Player:
No player has been helped more by a change of scenery than Victor Oladipo. Out of Russell Westbrook's shadow and the malaise that kind of floated over the entire Orlando Magic organization, Oladipo has flourished this season.

He's averaging 9 more points per game, almost a full steal more per game, and is now a top 20 player in terms of his player efficiency rating. With Oladipo leading the way the Pacers have a chance to build quite the respectable team that will get swept by Golden State or Houston for years to come.


Sixth Man of the Year:

This one was the easiest of all the awards to pick. The winner is Lou Williams.  He averages over 23 points and over 5 assists per game. With all the changes he has been the definition of offensive consistency. He's scored over 15 points in 27 straight games and underrated part of his game is how well he's played defensively averaging over a steal per game.
Winner: Lou Williams

Coach of the Year:
A few weeks ago I would have said no doubt about it, Brad Stevens. Well given the recent struggles I have been forced to reevaluate my my stance. Now my vote is gonna go to Dwayne Casey of the Toronto Raptors. At the end of last season there were some who believed he should be fired, now he has taken basically the same squad and led them to the top spot in the Eastern conference over the much more touted Boston Celtics.
Winner: Dwayne Casey

Most Valuable Player:
Here we are, the coup de grace of all the awards. Got quite a few people who can be in the running but if we're being honest with ourselves we all know who the man is that should take home this hardware.

James Harden is averaging 31 points, 9 assists, and 5 rebounds a night. He leads the league in points, PER, plus/minus and VORP (value over replacement player for those not in the know), basically by all offensive metrics there has not been a player more vital to his team's success than Harden. Can he keep it up? I wouldn't bet against him because we know his celebration will be lit...BOOOOOY!

Well there you have you it, one amazing half down, one to go.