Before All Star Break is Over Awards

Before All Star Break is Over Awards
The All Star break is over and now is time to start the best part of the NBA season. Things are about to start getting even more intense as the playoff atmosphere filters in. Let’s run through the award winners thus far if the season ended today.
MVP- Paul George (Oklahoma City Thunder): In the MVP race no matter what player you choose especially this year you will receive backlash. Paul George is our MVP with James Harden right behind him. The Thunder are four games better than the Rockets and are the third seed in the West. Paul George does have another superstar in Russell Westbrook but wouldn’t it be harder to play like George is with a ball hog like Westbrook? James Harden stat line this season is  37.4 min, 36.6 PPG, 6.7 TRB, 7.7 AST, 2.2 steals, 44.1 FG%, and 37.4 3P%. Paul George stat line is 36.3 min, 28.7 PPG, 8 TRB, 4.1 AST, 2.3 steals, 45.3 FG%, 40.6 3P%. Harden has more points and assists which to most that would make him MVP since he has willed his team to wins. This season Harden has broken the most thirty points or more scored in game consecutively streak that was held by Kobe Bryant. Majority of the time that would make you MVP but not this year. In their head to head matchups this year George has been better. The Thunder have won two of the three meetings, George has outscored, assisted, stole the ball, and shot better from three twice against Harden. Also in all those games George has out rebounded and turned over the ball less. Paul George also when guarding Harden last match up the Rockets MVP only scored seven. It’s George’s defense that makes him MVP over Harden. George is second in the league this year in player rating. While doing all these numbers in the West just adds to why George is MVP.

Honorable mentions: James Harden, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, and Steph Curry.

Coach of the Year- Michael Malone (Denver Nuggets): Michael Malone is the clear coach of the year from this perspective. The Nuggets last year missed the playoffs on the last game of the year when losing to the Timberwolves. Now they are the second seed in the West and have beaten Golden State this season. With the player development of  Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray the future is very bright in Denver. The Nuggets are also top ten in field goals made, FG%, 3P%, TRB, TOV, and are the second best team in assists. Malone looks to be on the trail to fully turning around the Nuggets with a great season this year being the second best team in the very competitive West.

Honorable mentions: Mike Budenholzer, Nate McMillan, and Billy Donovan.

Defensive Player of the Year- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks): In a very close defensive player of the year award thus far I think it is fair that Giannis Antetokounmpo gets this award. He is a whole point higher than Paul George in defensive win shares which is the best in the league. He also second in defensive rebounding. Antetokounmpo huge wingspan fills the lanes, athletic ability make his defensive skill set that much better, and putting that all together makes anyone not safe when shooting if he is around.

Honorable mentions: Paul George, Anthony Davis, Rudy Gobert, and Joel Embiid.

Rookie of the Year- Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks): The European sensation has been the new flashy rookie in 2018-2019 season. His highlight plays and swagger has taken the NBA by storm. Making the risk Dallas has been known to take on European players to be a good one. Luka averages 20.7 PPG which leads rookies actually is the highest by four points, he is second among rookies in rebounds, assists, and efficiency. While also being fourth in steals as well. All stats are among rookies. Luka Doncic also has three triple double in 2018-2019, he is nineteen and the second youngest player to get a triple double in an NBA game. Doncic sure has brought the excitement hopefully he has many great years to come.

Honorable mentions: DeAndre Ayton, Trae Young, Marvin Bagley III, and Collin Sexton.

Most Improved Player-Pascal Siakam (Toronto Raptors): Pascal Siakam was an below average bench player last year, now he has emerged as a role player on the elite Raptors bench. Last season Siakam averaged 7.3 PPG, 4.5 TRB, 2 AST, while shooting 50% from the field. In 2018-2019 he averages 16.1 PPG, 7 TRB, 2.8 AST, and shoots 55% from the field. He has had a twelve percentage points difference in the three ball. Last season he shot 22% from behind the arc now he is shooting 34%.  Siakam huge strides this season gives hope in maybe a future all star at the forward position for Toronto
Honorable mentions: De’Aaron Fox, Julius Randle, Buddy Hield, Montrezl Harrell, Derrick Rose, and John Collins.     
Sixth Man of the Year- Domantas Sabonis (Indiana Pacers): Victor Oladipo got injured almost a month ago and the Pacers have not completely collapsed how could that be? Well team play. The Pacers remain third in the East even after missing a month of Oladipo. It’s because players are stepping up for example Domantas Sabonis. Sabonis has been considered one of the most improved players in 2019 but it’s how efficient he is off the bench is what has people. In twenty-four minutes off the bench Sabonis averages 14.1 PPG, 9.2 TRB, 2.7 AST, while shooting 60.6% from the field and an impressive 57.1% from three. It’s also Sabonis ability to create problems by filling the lanes against opposing offenses. The Pacers have a key man off their bench and being only twenty two he might not be on the bench for long. \
Honorable Mentions: Derrick Rose, Dennis Schroder, Lou Williams, and Kyle Kuzma.    
Executive of the Year- Rob Meyers (Golden State Warriors): Most would not want to put Rob Meyers here but the back to back defending champions Golden State Warriors didn’t come together by itself. After winning another title Meyers resigned Kevin Durant keeping the core four together. Then picked up Jonas Jerebko for basically nothing and drafted Jacob Evans. Then the big signing of DeMarcus Cousins for 5.3 million dollars. The Warriors went from maybe beatbale to nevermind no one has a shot fast.

Honorable mentions: Rob Pelinka, Bobby Webster, Sam Presti, and Artūras Karnišovas.

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