Rudy Gobert gets the nod for Defensive Player of the Year
Most Valuable Player: Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi is the early season favorite to win the MVP by many people. Unlike many of the other western conference teams, the Spurs didn’t get an all-star like PG or Chris Paul, who each will detract from their super-stars statline. Leonard won’t have to worry about sharing minutes with another big-time scorer who will limit his game offensively. Kawhi is also coming off being voted in the top three for MVP in each of the last two seasons, and if any this seems like the year the Spurs star can win it.
Defensive Player of The Year: Rudy Gobert
Unlike Kawhi, Gobert actually lost an all-star which means the Jazz will turn to him even more, not only to help with the offense but to propel the defense even further. Gobert finished in the top three for voting last season and made the all-defensive first team. If Gobert can improve on his 12.8 rebounds and a monster 2.6 blocks, then he can almost be called a lock to win the award.
Most Improved Player: Myles Turner
On a team with no offense and a shooting guard who can’t shoot, Turner will look to be the first option on a weak Pacers team. After averaging 14.5 points and 7.3 boards last year, I believe and see no reason why Turner won’t be able to average a 19 point double-double. If he can do all of this and up his apg a bit he should be the frontrunner for most improved player.
Sixth Man of The Year: Eric Gordon
Gordon is already coming off of 2017 with one of these awards already captured, and I currently believe he is the leading candidate to repeat and win the award. Gordon shot 37.2% from deep last season on a team that is three crazy and averaged 16.2 points in the regular season. Gordon should be able to repeat those numbers and repeat as the NBA’s sixth man of the year
Rookie of The Year: Ben Simmons
This year’s rookie of the year race will be like no other with crazy hype surrounding prospects like Lonzo Ball, Markelle Fultz, and Dennis Smith Jr., but the person I predict to come out with this award is Ben Simmons. WIth such a rare combination of size, athleticism, and elite passing ability, the comparisons to LeBron James are not far off. In Philly, Simmons will play a point-forward hybrid, just like LeBron, and will be a key piece on the Sixers roster. With so much potential, the debut of Ben Simmons should be one to remember.
Coach of The Year: Steve Kerr
Although voter fatigue is very much real, the Warriors will win 70 plus games this year and Kerr will be recognized with making all of its work. Steve had the challenge of making Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and Klay Thompson all be able to work together on the same team, and in their first year, the Dubs went 67 and 15, while missing the slim reaper for over 20 games. The Warriors are a team who are always trying in the regular season (i’m looking at you LeBron!), and because of it, they will have a chance to break the illustrious 70 game win plateau.
NBA Basketball Executive of The Year: Sam Presti
It takes a wizard to trade for Paul George and Carmelo Anthony and only give up a few gargantuan contracts and a bag of sand. Just a year after losing Kevin Durant, the Thunder rebound and get two future Hall of Famers to pair with the reigning MVP. What? Presti has always been know as one the best gm’s in the game, but no one could have expected this. With the addition to locking up Russell Westbrook for another five years, Presti almost handed himself this award.
