Predicting 2020-21 NBA Awards
With the 2020-21 NBA season rapidly approaching, it’s time to predict who will be winning all the major awards. Some awards are easier to predict than others for obvious reasons, so today I’m going to be giving my picks for every single award.
(Note: 6th Man of the Year isn’t included on this list because it’s hard to predict what sort of role players get off the bench. We obviously have our usual suspects for the award, but I’m not going to be predicting that one).
Most Valuable Player Award (MVP)
This is one of the most controversial awards to give out every year, and there are always large debates about who should win. Again, this is a regular season award only. The only thing that matters here the 72 (normally 82) games that are played during the regular season. The playoffs add nothing to this discussion. Anyway, here are my leading candidates for this award:
Luka Doncic
Doncic had an incredible season last year, and I expect him to grow on that. Doncic was a triple-double machine and broke all sorts of records, bringing Dallas back to the playoffs. I expect Doncic to be even better this season. Doncic was inefficient from 3 last season, and I expect him to have better shot selection and be more mature. The Mavericks got better this offseason and Doncic will have to do a lot to start the season with Kristaps Porzingis out. Here’s my stat prediction for Doncic:
29.5 points, 9.7 rebounds, 9.1 assists on 45% shooting from the field and 33% from 3.
Doncic is going to be one of the best player throughout the 2020s, and he is my front-runner for MVP.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
And my 2nd candidate for this award is Giannis. Giannis always dominates during the regular season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he won his 3rd straight MVP. Giannis is uber-efficient during the regular reason, and is a stat-stuffer. He is also a great defender, one of the best in the league. People always factor in Giannis’s playoff mishaps into the MVP debate, which makes no sense. For the past two years, Giannis has dominated the regular season. This season, I expect Giannis to average:
28.2 points, 13.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists on 59% shooting from the field and 32% from 3.
Giannis usually dominates the regular season, and I see no difference this season. Jrue Holiday was an added scorer and ball-handler, and is an upgrade from Eric Bledsoe. That’s why I don’t think Giannis will average 30 and 15 again. I also think that Giannis will be more focused around his team succeeding than his own personal stats, but he is very much still in contention from becoming just the 4th player ever to win 3 straight MVPs.
Rookie Of The Year
This award is usually pretty easy to predict. It all depends on the rookie’s skillset and their situation. Some very talented rookies like Tyrese Haliburton won’t win the award because they play with other good players. It all depends on the situation. I see 3 front-runners for the award as of right now:
Lamelo Ball
I don’t really like Ball’s skillset, as he is inefficient and sometimes very sloppy. His jumpshot in unorthodox and not not consistent. He doesn’t a lot of strength and can’t attack the rim as well as others in this draft. I wasn’t very high on Ball to start with, but he was drafted by the Hornets.
The Hornets only have a couple of decent scorers on the roster, those being Gordon Hayward, Terry Rozier, and Devonte Graham. But with Ball being the starting PG for this season and the the new franchise player, I’m sure he’ll be getting the ball a lot. Ball will likely fill up stat-sheets, but be very inefficient.
The only way Ball doesn’t win the award is if somebody with similar averages wins it. They only difference is that they were more efficient than Ball, which is a possibility I could see happened. But I do think Ball is a front-runner for the award as of right now.
Obi Toppin
Now Toppin’s skillset, this is one I like. Toppin is an explosive athlete, and can become the next Amar’e Stoudemire. Toppin is great in the post, using his explosiveness and quickness to beat defenders to the rim. He has a decent mid-range jumper, but that’s something that he could improve to stretch defenses out. I think Toppin will be very good for New York.
The Knicks don’t have a lot of guys who are more talented than Toppin. Julius Randle is the only guy on that team who will get more touches. Maybe RJ Barrett, but that’s it. Toppin should get the ball a lot, giving him lots of opportunities.
Toppin can be a very efficient player as most of his shots come from down low. If Toppin averaged 15 points and 6 rebounds on like 47% shooting from the field and if his defense is average at best, I don’t see how he can’t win ROTY. I have a feeling that Toppin is going to have a very good year.
James Wiseman
And this is my final front-runner for this award as of right now. With Klay Thompson missing the entire season with injury again, Wiseman will be getting a bigger role. And having Steph Curry on his team helps. Curry stretches the defense out so much, giving Wiseman more room on the post.
Wiseman was dominant in just 3 games with Memphis, and he looked very scary. He is very skilled in the post, and is quick off his feet. He is an excellent shot blocker and very efficient. He has a short jumper, but not much of a 3-point shooter. The Warriors only have 2 scorers better than Wiseman: Curry and Oubre Jr. This gives Wiseman the 3rd scoring role.
I don’t see the Warriors as a playoff team, but Wiseman can still be good. He might average close to a double-double on good efficiencies as well as about a block per game. I really Wiseman’s game and his fit with this Warriors team.
Most Improved Player
This award is sort of easy to predict each year, as we look for players entering their 2nd or 3rd season, the timespan when players usually break out. I have 2 early front-runner for this award, and they go as follows:
Jaylen Brown
Brown will be entering his 5th season, and I have a feeling it will be his best. Gordon Hayward left in free agency, giving Brown and Tatum for offensive freedoms. Brown is an excellent slasher with good handles and a solid 3-point shot. Brown is very talented on offense and he is very conferrable in this Boston system alongside Tatum.
I think that Brown will rise up into the role of the 2nd best player on this team, where he should be. Kemba Walker will miss the start of this season, so Brown will start off the season well. The Celtics are poised for another nice playoff run, and Brown will be a big reason for this successes. Brown might average 22-23 points per game, and he might be an All-Star. I expect big things from JB this season.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shai had a great 2nd season with OKC, almost making it to the 2nd round of the playoffs. And I expect Shai to take a big jump this season, for one reason. He is the best player on OKC in just his 3rd season, and he’ll little to no help. The ball will be in his hands a lot, and his stats will receive a boost because of this.
Shai isn’t a true point guard and some people overrate his skills, but I think he’ll be a front-runner for the award just because he’s the best player on his team. This gives him an advantage over Jaylen Brown who has to play with two other All-Stars. I don’t expect anything from OKC this season, but I expect a great season from SGA.
Defensive Player Of The Year (DPOY)
This award is very controversial, and the player that should win it usually doesn’t win this award. Giannis winning 2020 was the correct pick, but some years they don’t pick the right player for the award. And as of right now, I have 3 front runners for the award:
Bam Adebayo
Adebayo was the anchor for one of the best Heat defenses last season. The Heat were so successful in the players because of their defense, and Bam was at the forefront of that. Bam completely neutralized Giannis against the Bucks in the playoffs, and is one of the best interior defenders down low.
Last season, the Heat allowed the 3rd lowest field goals per game and were 7th in opponent FG%. Bam was a big reason why this Heat team was great. Individually, Bam averaged 1.1 steals and 1.3 blocks per game with a defensive rating of 106. Bam is a stud down low.
The Heat will continue to be one of the best defenses in the league, and Bam is going to be a nightmare down low. Bam is turning into one of the best interior defenders that the league has.
Anthony Davis
Davis has been one of the best defenders in the league for a while, using his length and long arms along with quick feet to lock down the paint. And Davis is also no slouch on the perimeter, able to stay with quicker guards. The Lakers are a very good defensive team when they want to be, and when they are at their best, it’s because of AD.
Last season the Lakers were 5th in opponent field goals made per game and 8th in opponent FG%. The Lakers were first in blocks as well. AD was a beast for LA defensively, and he will continue to do these things in 2021.
AD averaged 1.5 steals and 2.3 blocks last season, with a defensive rating of 102.
I think AD will have to do a lot more defensively because the Lakers got worse defensively down low. AD will have to exert a lot more energy and effort, meaning that his numbers could be amazing once again. It wouldn’t be a bad bet to say that AD will win his first ever Defensive Player of the Year.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Giannis definitely deserved the award last season, and he is one of the best defenders in the league. He is long and lanky like AD, but even faster. Giannis can guard every single position well, and is the main reason the Bucks have one of the best defenses in the league. Giannis will continue to do these things in 2021.
The Bucks last season ranked 4th in opponent field goals made per game, and 1st in opponent field goal percentage. Milwaukee ranked 3rd in blocks as well.
Giannis averaged 1 steal and 1 block per game, and averaged had a defensive rating of 97, which led the league.
Giannis is a defensive stopper, one of the best in the league. Statistically, he is one of the best one-on-one defenders and he automatically makes the Bucks defense one of the best in the league. It also wouldn’t surprise me if Giannis won the award for a 2nd straight year.
Coach of the Year (COTY)
This award is either given to the best team in the league, or a team who heavily over-achieved. It’s hard to predict this one because we don’t know which teams will overperform. But I think that my front-runner for this award is the one that is likely to win it:
Erik Spoelstra
Spoelstra is one of the best coaches in the league, and he showed us why in the postseason. On offense, the Heat used all of their pieces beautifully. Duncan Robinson is constantly moving, making it tough for defenses to stay put. Jimmy Butler is great at getting down hill, and Bam is great in the pick and roll. Here were the Heat on offense last season:
15th in points scored
10th in FG%
6th in 3-PT Makes
2nd in 3-PT%
4th in FT Attempts
13th in FT%
5th in Assists
15 in Turnovers
Spoelstra led one of the best offenses last season, and similar things should happen this season. His schemes are constantly changing, but Spoelstra is at his best on defense.
In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, he was constantly changing defensive looks to mess with teams. He shut down Giannis entirely vs the Bucks, and made like hard on the perimeter centric Celtics. The Heat’s defense was one of the best last season, and the stats prove it:
10th in Points Allowed
3rd in Opponent FG’s Made
7th in Opponent FG%
6th in Opponent 3-PT%
16th in Opponent FTA
5th in Opponent Offensive Rebounds
15th in Opponent Assists
The Heat defense was excellent during the regular season, but during the postseason it went up another notch:
5th in Points Allowed
6th In Opponent FG’s Made
#7 In Opponent FG%
7th in Opponent 3-PT Made
5th In Opponent 3-PT%
5th In Opponent FTA
5th In Rebounds Per Game
11th In Assists Allowed
The Heat defense was amazing during the playoffs, all because of Spoelstra’s coaching and giving his players a chance to succeed. I think Spoelstra is the best coach in the league, top-3 at worst, and I think that the Heat will be very good because of this excellent coaching.
What Awards Would You Change? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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