Roundtable Sessions: OKC Thunder and NBA awards segment

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OKC Thunder roundtable: Pascal Siakam wins Most Improved Player at 2019 NBA Awards show (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Most Improved:

This award is one of the more competitive in the association as players look to add their name into the mix of viable upper echelon stars. This was by far the hardest category to narrow down to one choice. That fact was punctuated by each of our writing team picking a different winner!

The return of Dejounte Murray in San Antonio will remind everyone precisely how special he is. In fact, I think we’ll see other Spurs players improve just due to his presence (Bryn Forbes, Derrick White etc).

If Markelle Fultz becomes a contributor for the Magic his return to the court (after looking like a bust) could be the feel good story of the year. Zach LaVine will feast in Chicago, but his teammate Lauri Markkanen will make his own argument to win the award.

The Nuggets are loaded with depth at every position which could find Jamal Murray, Gary Harris, Will Barton (I could go on) in the mix, but I think Denver will emphasize team player over individual results. For the Kings to take the next step De’Aaron Fox will have to make palpable improvements over last season (and he will).

The one name I had a hard time leaving off my final cut was Brandon Ingram who I’m still waffling over. Ingram has ample motivation to deliver a strong showing this season. First, the fact the Lakers elected to retain Kyle Kuzma over him. Couple that with the Pelicans not prioritizing his extension prior to season start. Even as I type this I’m still hesitant not to move him to the top of the list.

Ultimately, I settled on Anunoby. After a season of dealing with a personal loss and copious injuries, Anunoby returns looking sharp. The burst appendix that kept him out of the playoffs served as his offseason motivation. Anunoby told reporters the after-effects of the post-surgery complications meant he had to re-learn certain fundamentals.

Prior to the start of last season, the Raptors weren’t sure which of Pascal Siakam or Anunoby would make the greatest leap, they both looked that good. He replaces Kawhi Leonard in the starting rotation and along with Siakam are set to be the top defenders. OG’s looked super impressive in the preseason and I think is carrying a chip on his shoulder over not being able to play in the postseason (and none of the pundits even citing his loss being a factor).

Through his young career he’s done a lot to remind of a young Kawhi – this season I think he shows the world why those comparisons were made.

Tamberlyn Richardson:

NBA: OG Anunoby

OKC: Shai Gilgeous- Alexander

Rylan Stiles:

NBA: Lonzo Ball. I think Ball is finally in a good situation for his playstyle and will have a great season, the narrative is there to hand him this award.

OKC: Hamidou Diallo