2018 NBA Awards Finalists announced- Harden, Oladipo favored to win
The Association released their official list of 2017-18 NBA Award Finalists.
A year ago Russell Westbrook had pundits buzzing over his triple-double season average and heat check games as he dragged his OKC Thunder into the postseason.
A year later, he accomplished the same stats, but had better talent surrounding him. This time however, pundits are throwing shade blaming him for all that is wrong in OKC. That is the life of a superstar, receive accolades with wins, take the heat in losses.
Most Valuable Player:
This season the MVP candidates are the Pelicans Anthony Davis, Rockets James Harden and Cavaliers LeBron James.
After twice being a bridesmaid, Harden appears destined to win the MVP. The nod to Davis is also fair especially after DeMarcus Cousins went down.
As for the King, his season emulated what Westbrook accomplished in 2016-17 by carrying his team most nights. Moreover, in his 15th season as a pro he played in all 82 games for the first time.
Defensive Player of the Year:
It’s been noted previously in this column that for as much as Rudy Gobert rightfully earned his nod perhaps Andre Roberson was equally deserving. While Gobert was the primary defensive force for the Utah Jazz, the same can be said of Andre Roberson. In fact, the Thunder suffered more without ARob than the Jazz did without Gobert.
Anthony Davis gets his second nod for the big awards and Joel Embiid fills out the trio of candidates.
Most Improved Player
Oh the delicious irony. Victor Oladipo got his first taste of playoff minutes in OKC and vowed to come back better than ever. True to his word he dove into offseason self improvement often citing Russell Westbrook as the man who taught him how to get to the next level. Prior to being able to return and demonstrate his growth Sam Presti shipped him off with Domantas Sabonis to Indy to take a risk on a possible one year rental of Paul George.
Cut to this season and Dipo’s honed body and game led the Pacers at an almost MVP type level as he produced game averages of 23.1 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.4 steals. Oladipo tied or set career bests in every single statistical category except free throw shooting efficiency.
Meanwhile Paul George offered 21.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.3 assists regressing in virtually every stat category except minor increases in steals (+0.4) and perimeter shooting efficiency (+0.08%).
Houston Rockets Clint Capela and Brooklyn Nets Spencer Dinwiddie are the other two nominees for this NBA Award. Each experienced significant leaps in their game and overall production.
Sixth Man of the Year:
In two of the last three seasons Lou Williams (2015) and Eric Gordon (2017) won this NBA award. Williams became the primary offense for an injury riddled Clippers team. Although Sweet Lou’s numbers are similar to his award winning season he played 8.6 additional minutes and started in 25 percent of the Clippers matches.
Winner of the award last season Houston’s Gordon experienced approximately a 50-50 split of progression – regression. Like Williams, Gordon was shifted to start due to injuries. To wit, Gordon started in 43.4 percent of Houston’s games.
Although his key stats don’t compare to his counterparts, the Raptors Fred VanVleet was the only ‘true’ Sixth man playing off the bench in all 76 of his appearances.
Moreover, VanVleet was the driving force of the Raptors bench mob and played the most fourth quarter minutes (with the best differential) on Toronto. While many cited a psychological issue called “the Curse of the King” for the Raptors postseason implosion, the absence of VanVleet played a significant role. Injured in the last game of the season the Wichita guard missed all but one game and three minutes of the first round.
The reserves and hybrid clutch unit’s timing was thrown off and never fully recovered. VanVleet played in the semi finals, but was visibly playing through pain without his normal range of motion.
Despite this nomination likely paying homage to the unit rather than the individual he’s a very worthy winner. If the media elect to reward the true definition of “sixth” man, it is VanVleet.
Rookie of the Year:
This category could anoint any one of the three nominees. Philadelphia 76ers, Ben Simmons summoned Magic Johnson comparisons.
Being selected 13th in the draft didn’t stop Donovan Mitchell from turning in superstar performances and continued to produce without stumbling in the playoffs. If not for a sore toe and missing backcourt mate (Ricky Rubio) he may have extended the second round series between the Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets.
Like Mitchell, Boston Celtics rookie Jayson Tatum plays with a maturity beyond his years and also seems poised for super stardom. Seven consecutive 20 point playoff performances and a step back trey in clutch time offered hints of a star whole soon be dubbed ‘superstar’.
Coach of the Year:
More from Thunderous Intentions
- Stealing one player from every Southwest Division team for the OKC Thunder
- Should the OKC Thunder chase after a disgruntled hometown hero?
- 3 OKC Thunder players who can step up in Aleksej Pokusevski’s absence
- Aleksej Pokusevski sidelined approximately 6 weeks with ankle injury
- Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder
The last time a Coach of the Year won this award and was summarily dismissed it was the Nuggets George Karl.
This season the same thing may happen again as Raptors coach Dwane Casey was just released after being swept by the Cavaliers for the second season in a row. Despite finishing atop the East and second in the NBA, not being able to get past the best player of his generation proved costly.
Casey got his stars to change their habits, take less shots and implement a pass friendly, perimeter heavy offense while increasing his young benches playing time.
Quin Snyder gets the well deserved nod for navigating the loss of Gordon Hayward, missing Rudy Gobert for 26 games (31%) and overcoming a 17-26 start to finish the final 39 games with a 31-8 record and just missing out on a home court seed.
Like some other categories Brad Stevens may be missing out on an award based on when the media vote. There are quality arguments for each nominee and Casey will likely win. But, like the rookies the winner might be different if postseason performances were considered.
Favored to win:
MVP: James Harden
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert
Most Improved: Victor Oladipo
Sixth Man: Lou Williams
Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons
Coach of the Year: Dwane Casey
If I had a vote:
MVP: James Harden
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert
Most Improved: Victor Oladipo
Sixth Man: Fred VanVleet (only true 6th man with all his games played in reserve role)
Rookie of the Year: First time in history a three way split (all are deserving, essential to the team’s success and future All-Stars)
Coach of the Year: Quin Snyder (I know it’s surprising given my affinity for the Raptors. However, Snyder did the most with the least in the tougher conference.)
Second Annual NBA Awards Show:
Date: Monday, June 25
Venue: Barker Hangar
Location: Santa Monica, California
Time: 9:00 p.m. ET (8:00 CT)
TV: TNT