Most Valauble Player
I predict that next season's MVP will be a point guard. Point Guards have become stronger competitors in the league recently. I can't choose between Stephen Curry and Russell Westbrook. I even have a small possible consideration for Damian Lillard winning this award as well. I'm not sleeping on LeBron and KD, but this is the year of the Point Guards. These smaller athletes are meant to make a name for themselves this season.
I would not be surprised to see Steph Curry repeat once more for MVP. The guy is incredible. Personally, I'd say he's the best shooter in the league. You would think that Curry has reached the pinnacle of his career. I disagree. I expect an even better season for him beginning in 2015. This is the season where Curry needs to form the debate on whether him or LeBron are the best in the league. Curry didn't even average the most minutes of his career and still won the MVP trophy last season. This man has a lot more history to make.
I was super impressed by Russell Westbrook last season. Despite not making the playoffs, he proved to the world he can carry a team without the help of former MVP, Kevin Durant. Now that Durant is healthy, people assume Westbrook's stats are going to drop a bit since the other superstar is back in the lineup. I disagree. Westbrook will continue to be Westbrook, but even better. Lets be honest. He aims to get triple doubles every single game and continues to succeed. Westbrook isn't as good of a shooter as Curry, but he is stronger and a better rebounder. Kevin Durant is also picking up where he left off. So I'm not turning my back on a former MVP who I still think has the potential to be better than LeBron. Durant is amazing, but this is the year where Westbrook gets his shine. At the end of the day, lets agree the Thunder are a team with two MVP-caliber players, like Shaq & Kobe.
I would not be surprised to see Steph Curry repeat once more for MVP. The guy is incredible. Personally, I'd say he's the best shooter in the league. You would think that Curry has reached the pinnacle of his career. I disagree. I expect an even better season for him beginning in 2015. This is the season where Curry needs to form the debate on whether him or LeBron are the best in the league. Curry didn't even average the most minutes of his career and still won the MVP trophy last season. This man has a lot more history to make.
I was super impressed by Russell Westbrook last season. Despite not making the playoffs, he proved to the world he can carry a team without the help of former MVP, Kevin Durant. Now that Durant is healthy, people assume Westbrook's stats are going to drop a bit since the other superstar is back in the lineup. I disagree. Westbrook will continue to be Westbrook, but even better. Lets be honest. He aims to get triple doubles every single game and continues to succeed. Westbrook isn't as good of a shooter as Curry, but he is stronger and a better rebounder. Kevin Durant is also picking up where he left off. So I'm not turning my back on a former MVP who I still think has the potential to be better than LeBron. Durant is amazing, but this is the year where Westbrook gets his shine. At the end of the day, lets agree the Thunder are a team with two MVP-caliber players, like Shaq & Kobe.
Rookie of the Year
D'Angelo Russell (LAL)
D'Angelo Russell is argued to be the most athletic player coming out of this year's draft and he's using that as an advantage. I think he's the flashiest player in the draft. It's so much that he's capable of doing in this league. Great attitude and tremendous confidence in himself. One of the few young rookies who I doubt will become a complete draft bust. A kid who I say will get better and better. I know he'll have a nice rookie season, but I can't wait to see his growth in the next 5 years.
Sixth Man of the Year
Karl-Anthony Towns (MIN)
I know what you're all thinking. How can this rookie become Sixth Man of the Year, but not Rookie of the Year? The guy will play limited minutes especially from the bench. He's been playing shorter minutes for Kentucky, and look where it still got him. A 1st overall pick selection. Karl-Anthony Towns still has plenty of things to learn in the NBA, so limiting his minutes on the floor is a smart idea. It's best to reduce the chance of a severe injury for a young athlete who could've became something special in the league. Anybody remember Greg Oden? And let's get real here. The Wolves are not a playoff team in 2016, but they sure will be in a couple years. In just maybe 2 or 3 years, Andrew Wiggins could be the best shooting guard in the league and Towns will be stronger than ever, eventually earning a starting spot.
Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony Davis (NOP)
Anthony Davis is a straight up beast and he's only 22 years old. I repeat, 22 years old. Can you believe that? Last season, he led the NBA in blocks by a large margin. His steals were impressive as well. Some say he might have been fluked last year by losing the Defensive Player of the Year Award to Kawhi Leonard. Well that's all in the past now, because Anthony Davis is likely to win this award 2 or maybe even 3 straight years. He's one of a kind. There are not many players in this league like him.
Most Improved Player
Damian Lillard (POR)
This is definitely a career year for Damian Lillard. We haven't seen his prime just yet. His four teammates decided to abandon him and they left him with a different, unorthodox lineup. Now that Lillard is totally the team's best player, he's likely to carry the team to success (at least for this season). This is the season where Lillard will gain the respect that Kobe Bryant earned after Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton, Rick Fox, and Karl Malone left the Lakers in 2004. Lillards numbers will look a lot nicer in 2016. I'm assuming a blow up like Gilbert Arenas when he became the Most Improved Player in 2003. I expect Lillard to average nearly 30 points with nearly 10 assists a game. A former NBA player with numbers like that is Oscar "Big O" Robertson.
Coach of the Year
David Blatt (CLE)
Last season, David Blatt was criticized for his possible lack of coaching effort on a team that includes LeBron James, who also calls the shots. This is the year where Blatt needs to prove the world wrong. LeBron needs to stay quiet and start listening to his head coach this time. They lost the NBA Finals for a solid reason. They didn't have good enough direction to stop Golden State. If the Cavs want to win their first NBA Finals, I suggest the entire team to follow David Blatt and not the player who is 2-4 in Finals matchups. I rely on Blatt to take control this year. That's what coaches are supposed to be used for. Players play and coaches coach. That's how it has always been. Blatt has won 5 Israeli league championships and a Euroleague championship. He clearly has more on his coaching resume than LeBron. It's time to let the man do his job 100%. If it happens, Blatt is likely Coach of the Year.
All-NBA First Team
All-NBA Second Team
All-NBA Third Team
All-Defensive First Team
All-Defensive Second Team
All-Rookie First Team
Russell, Towns, and Okafor are the 3 players out of this group I can see becoming future NBA All-Stars. I don't think Mudiay would deserve to be in the All-Rookie First Team, but the 5 man team needs two guards. I'd put Stanley Johnson in to replace Mudiay, but I don't consider Johnson a guard at all. So I think Mudiay is lucky enough to make the first team. It won't take too long for Porzingis to get comfortable playing for the Knicks. If he didn't have a good 3 point stroke, I don't think he would be able to make the first nor second team. Out of these 5 players, I can only see D'Angelo Russell earning a spot into an All-NBA Team. Overall, each of these rookies will have good careers. None I don't believe will bust.
All-Rookie Second Team
Stanley Johnson is by far the better player in this group. He can be an All-Star in about four or five years. There won't be any second round picks earning an All-Rookie team mention. Winslow I believe is overrated, but he's not a bad player. He'll be playing behind Dwyane Wade this season, so his minutes are smaller than some of the other rookies draft in the lottery. Even if Miami chose him to be a starter in his rookie season, he wouldn't produce well enough to make the All-Rookie First. I like Stanley Johnson a lot more than Winslow. He has better size, a better leader, rebounder, and he can acttually handle playing at the professional level. Justin Anderson is one of the few positive additions to the Mavericks. He is about play like he isn't even a rookie, more like a veteran. I'm excited to see Frank Kaminsky. That starting power forward position for Charlotte is his to take. If Cody Zeller doesn't step his game up, Kaminsky will come in and take advantage. The world is questionable about Joel Embiid, but lucky for him, he's on a team where he can get several opportunities to take control in a game. He's likely to lead the team in blocks and possibly rebounds also, but thats IF he plays next season. Chances are slim if he plays soon. If he doesn't play in 2015, his career is a complete waste. Jerian Grant replaces him on the All-Rookie Second Team if he's out.