As the NBA season has now officially come to an end, we as a basketball community are very close to being at extreme levels of stress and happiness all at the same time. The playoffs are almost here and for the second time since 2004, LeBron James will not be in the postseason. But that is neither here nor there, it is time to discuss which players will be walking away with hardware this year.
Sixth Man of the Year: G Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
After a not so bright sophomore year for the Heat, Herro came back and played a crucial role in the Heat’s 53-29 season. As his team board to the first seed in the East, Herro averaged 20.7 PPG, 5 RPG, 4 APG and shot 40% from deep. Herro, averaging his career-high in assists and points per game, while likely take home this award. However, I don’t see his team going very far in the playoffs. But that’s for another article…
Projected Runner-Up: Kelly Oubre Jr or Jordan Clarkson
Most Improved Player: G Jordan Poole, Golden State Warriors
Jordan Poole’s jump this year has been highly praised, and rightly so. Poole averaged a career-high in every major statistic for the 53-29 Warriors (18.4 PPG, 3.4 RPG, 4 APG & 36.3% from three, all career-highs). With Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Stephen Curry all missing time this year Poole was asked to take a big leap for Steve Kerr’s team. In response Poole had 10 30+ point games, including a season-high 38 points against the NBA’s best team in the Phoenix Suns. This award could go to Ja Morant, but considering that he only played in 57 games compared to Poole’s 75, I think the former Michigan Wolverine will walk away with this award.
Projected Runner-Up: Ja Morant or Darius Garland
Coach of the Year: Monty Williams, Phoenix Suns
Many thought he should’ve won it last year over New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau, but I think it’s almost a guarantee that Monty Williams takes this one. His Phoenix Suns are the best team in the NBA with a 64-18 record and they’re clicking on all cylinders. They will be hoping for a different result at the end of the season than last year, but they are the team to beat in the western conference right now.
Projected Runner-Up: Taylor Jenkins or Ime Udoka
Rookie of the Year: C Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Shout out to my co-host Sam Wolfe, because he hit a home run on this pick. Mobley got off to an incredible start as the Cavaliers took the NBA by storm. The former USC standout averaged 14.9 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 2.5 APG shooting 50% from the field. The Cavaliers finished with a 44-38 record, ending the year at eighth seed. They will take on the Brooklyn Nets in the play-in tournament. As long as they win one game, they will make the playoffs.
Projected Runner-Up: Cade Cunningham or Scottie Barnes
Defensive Player of the Year: G Marcus Smart, Boston Celtics
The only team in the eastern conference with a winning record against .500 teams in the league, the Boston Celtics. And Marcus Smart is a massive part of this teams resurgence in the second half of the season. Smart finished the season with 1.7 SPG, seventh in the league. While Smart was terrorizing opposing teams, the Celtics finished the year with the best defensive rating in the NBA. Give the man his trophy.
Projected Runner-Up: Jaren Jackson Jr. or Bam Adebayo
Most Valuable Player: C Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
The first player in NBA history to total at least 2K points, 1K rebounds and 500 assists in a season. The Serbian Don, Nikola Jokić. After a crazy MVP season last year, he came and doubled down and just got even better. Jokić averaged 27.1 PPG, 13.8 RPG and 1.5 SPG (all career-highs). The Serbian international also averaged 7.9 APG, just showcasing how he is one of the best playmakers in the league. Three 40-point games, 19 30-point games and 19 triple-double games. Jokić just keeps adding to his franchise record of triple-doubles of 76. The second highest triple doubles in Nuggets franchise history is Fat Lever with 43. I don’t know if the league will give him the MVP but in my opinion he definitely deserves it. To bring the Nuggets to the sixth seed with no Jamaal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. only playing nine games is a crazy feat. The NBA community has to appreciate this man and what he is doing right now. He is 100% a generational talent.
Projected Runner-Up: Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid
It’s been a while since I’ve done a sports story, over two months to be exact. However, this is my last semester of college and I’m doing everything I can to finish strong and graduate this May. “Two Possession Game” is still getting posted weekly and is being streamed live on wvcw.org and Instagram. We’ll be doing a two-hour NBA Playoffs special episode on Monday the 18th with several guests so make sure to tune in to that. This is YSN, until next time, signing out.
