It’s been a tumultuous off-season…to say the least. Now that things have finally (somewhat) settled down, it’s time for another round of my annual predictions columns. Although last year’s awards didn’t turn out quite like I thought they would, I’m back at it for another round. Here’s what the magic eight-ball came up with for your 2015 NBA awards.
NBA MVP: Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder
The 2014 NBA MVP, Kevin Durant, has to be the favorite to
win the award. For once in his career, LeBron is the clear underdog. While I do
think that the next 3-4 years could easily go back and forth between KD and
King James, LeBron’s first year in Cleveland will at least start off slow. The
chemistry, new coach, and all the hype will take some time getting used to.
Meanwhile, Kevin Durant is off in Oklahoma City preparing for another chance at
an NBA title.
My dark horse candidate here that I couldn’t quite pull the
trigger on is Steph Curry. Under the new coaching regime, I fully expect Curry
to have his best year. He proved last year that he could handle a greater
percentage of the offensive playmaking, but with an incompetent coach (in terms
of offensive), Curry still has potential to fill. Mike Malone was sorely missed
when he departed for Sacramento and the front office lit a torch to the
coaching staff, which should prove to be a good thing. If Durant to the Wizards
talks come up and start being a distraction of their own, I will regret not
picking the former Davidson star.
NBA Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins. Minnesota Timberwolves
Wiggins somehow went from an overhyped high school prodigy
to an oddly underrated no. 1 overall pick. While I wouldn’t put any money on
his future over at William Hill Sports Betting Online, I think Wiggins will succeed in the immediate
future. The chip on his shoulder combined with the explosive youth he’s
surrounded by in Minnesota—Thad Young, Anthony Bennett, and Zach Lavine—will motivate
Wiggins to improve his spotty jumper. It’s tempting to give the Buck’s Jabari
Parker the nod here, but Wiggins upside and his situation will give him the
edge in Year 1. I could see 18-7-4 from him.
NBA Defensive Player
of the Year
The NBA Defensive Player of the Year award is the easiest
one of all: James Harden. Type in James Harden Defense into any video or search
engine you can find and you will see some of the NBA’s premiere defense on
display. There’s no question that the Rockets’ star will finally be recognized
for his greatness on the defensive side of the ball.
…oh wait.
In all seriousness, though, I think this is the year that
one player does break through and win his first DPOY award. Cleveland may have
a rocky start, but defense is not something that needs too much scheming.
Effort and rotations get you 90 percent of the way there, and David Blatt can
cover that. Combine that with his expressed desire to win this award and
surrounding offensive talent, and LeBron James finally wins his first Defensive
Player of the Year Award.
Most Improved Player
of the Year: Anthony Bennett, Minnesota Timberwolves
This is paradoxically both the boldest and the easiest pick
of the 2015 NBA awards. On the one hand, Bennett was terrible last year. His
future did not look bright when he was throwing bagels all over the stat line
for the majority of the year. On the other hand, Bennett was terrible last
year. So it makes it that much easier to “improve.”
The trade to the Timberwolves was also a great career move
for Bennett, who needs more playing time and less pressure to regain his
positive career trajectory. He gave me reasons to be optimistic and then this
off-season, I called him out on Twitter for not joining LeBron and Melo in the
weight-loss trend…
@NBA @MNTimberwolves Bennett looks like he needs to lose some weight.
— Elijah Abramson (@ElijahAbramson) August 26, 2014
And then this popped up recently.
You’re welcome, T’wolves fans, you can thank me when he wins
this award.
Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford, LA Clippers
I don’t see anything changing in this department from last
year to this. Manu Ginobili doesn’t get enough minutes and Jamal Crawford
starts on the bench but plays near-starter minutes. I’m taking one of the
league’s best raw scorers to become the first NBA player ever to win three
Sixth Man of the Year awards.
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
I hinted at it a little bit earlier, but I really think that
the Warriors made the right decision firing Mark Jackson in favor of Steve Kerr.
Well-connected and intelligent, Kerr’s personality also fits well with the
Warriors roster that feeds off of great chemistry. The second stringers in the
NBA Summer League put Kerr’s offensive potential on display. Put together one of
the league’s best defenses with a rejuvenated offense and increasing hype
surrounding a good team, and I’m taking the first year coach to win big in
2015.
Executive of the Year
Only one person brought LeBron James, Kevin Love, James
Jones, Shawn Marion, and whoever else the Cavs will grab this off-season. It
took the great general manager that is LeBron James to pull that off. You don’t
have to take my word for it, either.
Lebron James best executive in the NBA!!!
— Isiah Thomas (@iamisiahthomas) August 7, 2014
cheap ugg boots sale face uggs outlet uk more pale, but it is looked happy face cheap kids ugg boots can exchange for that, she only felt everything they do all worth it.
ReplyDeleteIrrepressible tears already, cheap uggs uk such as the surging babbling general. Among three kinds of humiliation never a trace of tears flowing, he shed a tear today because the water first, cheap ugg boots sale then burst into tears because the flower cheap ugg boots for men .
Putt-Putt. To avoid spending more time longer tolerate ugg bailey button sale uk the pain cheap uggs uk will pass through two nail their two wrist while unplugged. Blood splattered, already stained the cheap uggs sale flower snow clothes. Senior sister apprentice, you first do not speak. Hands again two ice spiritual power blew, the wound solidified.
rather die than north face fleece jackets clearance from, he gave cheap north face fleece jackets three days, while he practice of , escaped, because always think, take the most precious thing left for you, sir do not say, , my bad, my bad.
ReplyDeleteknow that he did wrong, cheap north face fleece jackets wrong a second time, know it has always been in the peep my north face fleece jackets clearance body only, but no way he has been unable to escape the control north face fleece jackets sale of yesterday, the devil is so request made to the .
One hundred and fortieth eight chapters drunk love a kiss flower senior sister apprentice, I'm sorry. Chu I can tell you little master it, as has been the same. Although the flower have felt about their north face fleece jackets sale north face fleece jackets clearance own lives depleted, but that look of pity on his face still full of happy smile. Properly.