Individual awards will be based on games played until March 11th. The OKC Thunder will factor in several categories.
On Friday, the NBA confirmed individual player awards will be based on games played through March 11th. While every team will be affected the OKC Thunder has a vested interest in a few categories.
This would include Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, and presumably Executive of the Year.
It does not include individual statistical performances such as the per-game leaders in points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks. That said many of those categories are wrapped up given the leads James Harden, Andre Drummond and LeBron James have in the points, rebounds, and assists categories.
Likewise, a few of the individual awards are locked as well. With only 19 games played, even with another eight games, it would’ve been a hard sell for Zion Williamson to overtake Ja Morant for RoY. Some who vote on these awards cited the possibility existing if Zion could propel his Pelicans into the playoffs. That option is now moot.
As per Shams Charania, the league made the decision to ensure a fair process for all 30 teams.
Sources: NBA has informed teams: "The decision to exclude seeding games from awards voting ensures a fair process in which players and coaches from all 30 teams will have the same opportunity to be honored..." League will soon announce voting process and plan to announce winners. https://t.co/lTyO11LtFN
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 17, 2020
Despite many categories being set in stone, there are some good races in a few categories. Even getting tapped as one of the three finalists is an honor albeit not as fulfilling as taking home the hardware.
OKC Thunder will factor in many individual award categories
What isn’t clear is whether All-NBA teams will also be based on games played to March 11th or if voters will consider the eight seeding games and effects of those games on players’ final statistics.
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For the OKC Thunder, Dennis Schroder is considered a front runner for Sixth Man with some notable previous winners as his main competition. Chris Paul should be a lock for one if not both All-NBA and All-Defensive team nods and if the pundits are basing MVP on how one player improves a team then CP3 has a case to be nominated (though he won’t win) for MVP.
In terms of staff and front office, Sam Presti has a strong case for Executive of the Year while Billy Donovan should be a candidate for Coach of the Year.
Although, sophomores don’t typically get consideration for Most Improved a case can also be made for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Charania noted the NBA will follow up with the league on the specifics of the voting process and how the association will announce winners. Notably, the last three years awards have been handed out at an event but with the pandemic, presumably alternative plans will be made this season.
In the coming weeks, Thunderous Intentions will present our candidates and rationale for each of the major awards and All-NBA teams.