Rookie of the Year:
Ja Morant, PG- Memphis
I was wild tempted to make this a tie and also have Zion Williamson as the co-rookie of the year. However I can't let the amazing start Zion got off to negate the work that Morant has done all season. For one just the sample size of the two can not be ignored. Zion played 19 games this season, Ja played 59 games. In the 59 games he averaged 17.6 points, with 3.5 rebounds and almost 7 assists a night. Zion was no slouch, averaging 23.6 points and 7 rebounds but the Grizzlies being in playoff contention and the entire season worth of work gives him the edge.
Sixth Man of the Year:
Dennis Schroeder, G- Oklahoma City
So basically this year the choice came down to Schroeder and Lou Williams who basically has taken the Jamal Crawford spot as "well of course he's sixth man of the year." Schroeder has been an integral part of a rebuilding Thunder squad that would have made the playoffs. He has finally found a groove as the spark on the bench averaging 19 points a game, 4 assists and 3.7 rebounds a game. And this isn't a "I'm tired of voting for Lou Will" vote either. He has scored more, has more rebounds, and a higher 3 point percentage. Truly a worthy winner.
Coach of the Year:
Nick Nurse- Toronto Raptors
| Sit your ass down Drake |
This year the coach of the year has to be Nick Nurse. While Budenholzer from Milwaukee and Spoelstra from Miami most certainly deserve a few votes, the job Nurse has done keeping the Raptors afloat after losing Kawahi Leonard and then dealing with a spate of injuries has shown that last season was no fluke and going forward the Raptors are going to be in great hands.
Most Improved:
Brandon Ingram, F- New Orleans
Since coming over from the Lakers and the preseason injury to Zion Williamson, no one on the Pelicans has stepped his game up more than Ingram. The skinny superstar from Duke increased his points per game by over six points a night, has added one more rebound and one more assist per night to the stat line as well. The biggest jump has been going from a 32% three point shooter to almost 40%. Simply put he is living up to the draft position now that he is on a team to maximize his talents.
Best Move of the Year:
The Anthony Davis Trade
Speaking of Ingram, the move of the year has to be the trade of Anthony Davis to the Lakers for pretty much the entire young core of the Lake Show. And this is the rarest of rare cases where there is no loser to the trade. Now that's not to say the Pelicans got equal value, talent wise for Davis as I mean that was gonna be impossible. But in terms of team building?
Jack pot. Getting Lonzo Ball who is an amazing passer and finds Zion basically from any spot on the floor, the solid Josh Hart coming off the bench and the above mention most improved player Brandon Ingram.
Most Valuable Player:
Giannis Antetokounmpo, F - Milwaukee
The runaway choice for MVP has got to be Giannis. Simply put he was the best player on the best team and improved his numbers in some very impressive ways. He is scoring 2 more points a game, getting one more rebound and he's doing this in 2 less minutes a night.
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| Nothing but respect for my MVP |
So despite what James Harden says, averaging 29 points, 13 rebounds, leading the league in PER and becoming a credible threat from the 3 point line as a 7 foot monstar are all ridiculous and definitely worthy of being the Chocolate Puma's choice for MVP.
Alrighty folks I suppose that this will be the last basketball related post for a while, I mean at least until the NBA Draft talks speed up. So come back to this, enjoy it, breathe it in.
Until next time ya'll be easy.
