Roundtable Sessions: OKC Thunder and NBA awards segment
It’s all about awards in this segment of the OKC Thunder roundtable sessions by the T.I. writing team as we predict NBA and team specific recipients.
The NBA 2019-20 season has begun with 26 of the 30 teams having completed their first match. Although the OKC Thunder lost their first match there are ample reasons to be excited about this new squad. OKC was in the match right down to the final minute and this was facing a team many pundits believe could win the Western Conference.
In honor of the OKC Thunder season start and a night full of action the roundtable series continues with the awards prediction segment. In this section, the writing team predicts major awards and for fun also look at which OKC Thunder player would take the individual honor on the Thunder.
So with no further adieu, the first award is…
2020 NBA MVP:
Tamberlyn Richardson:
NBA: For the first time in years this category is wide open. Giannis Antetokounmpo is set up well to repeat. Stephen Curry could sneak in with a huge year but that would require the Warriors being a home court seed.
Duos could factor by taking votes away from one another. That means LeBron James | Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard | Paul George, James Harden | Russell Westbrook odds aren’t as strong. If the 76ers or Nuggets win their Conference or NBA best record Joel Embiid or Nikola Jokic could get the nod. There is a litany of outside threats but I’m going with someone in the tougher Conference on the team I think lands in first —- Nikola Jokic.
OKC: Trades make this response trickier. Chris Paul if he stays, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander if CP3 is traded.
Rylan Stiles:
NBA: Anthony Davis
Noah Schulte:
NBA: Nikola Jokic
OKC: Chris Paul
Aidan E:
The NBA MVP will be Steph Curry and the OKC MVP will be Chris Paul
Chase Beal-Sharp:
Thunder: Chris Paul (if he doesn’t get traded)- I can see him averaging 24 points and 12 assists per game.
If Paul is traded, I think Shai Gilgeous-Alexander will be the Thunder’s MVP.
Matthew Hallet:
NBA: Anthony Davis
OKC: Steven Adams
Kevon Stewart:
NBA: Steph Curry
OKC: Chris Paul
Tyler Barger:
NBA: Giannis Antetokounmpo will repeat as the MVP of the NBA. Giannis is extremely motivated to prove that winning the MVP last year was not a hoax. In addition to Giannis, Nikola Jokic could be the dark horse in the MVP discussion.
OKC: Steven Adams The big man is finally healthy and has shown great footwork. He has really put in a lot of time in the off-season. I think this will really benefit Steven Adams.