The NBA First-Half Award Show
Awards. One of the most controversial things handed out each year. The Awards aren’t as symbolic as an All-NBA team because the media votes on who should win. Usually is goes to who it’s supposed to go to, however they have been mistakes just because the media loves a good narrative. After 30-ish games we have a good idea who’s in the running for the awards. Today I will be picking the top 3 candidates for each award and choose a winner.
Coach Of The Year
This is always a weird award and who is goes to is also weird. Does it go to a coach that has drastically improved the team? Does it go to the team that’s near the top of the standings? Do first year coaches deserve it? There are a lot of different ways to look at this award, and I think that a lot of coaches are deserving of this award. Here are my top 3 candidates for the award:
Quin Snyder – Utah Jazz
The Jazz have been a consistent playoff team over the past few years. Snyder took over in the 2014-15 season. In his tenure the Jazz have made 6 straight postseason attempts but they were never true contenders. More of a dark horse. Not the case this season.
Snyder’s offense has usually been decent but with their new scheme they are great. They shoot more 3’s and they make more of them. Snyder’s offense spreads you out and it makes it so hard to guard the Jazz.
Snyder is also a very good defensive coach as on top of one of the best offenses in the league the Jazz are the #4 defense in the league. Snyder has a very talented roster however he is doing more than most thought they could do. Utah is atop the West and the NBA as they have been dominant this season.
Monty Williams – Phoenix Suns
The Suns haven’t the postseason since 2010 as this franchise has really been quiet since Nash left. But the Suns have acquired a very good team and Monty Williams has this team humming.
Offensively you have things covered. Devin Booker is one of the best scorers in the league. CP-3 never seems to age and when aggressive (not often), Deandre Ayton is great. Monty Williams has a great dynamic with his bench as he’ll play them over the starters when needed. He is doing a great job on this end but also defensively.
The Suns defense has been the most surprising thing about them this year as they have been very solid defense. Williams uses a very deep roster very well and he’s great at managing the game. The Suns are a dark horse in the West and they are a team I am very excited for going forward.
Tom Thibodeau – New York Knicks
The Knicks have been a mess. Delusions of generational talents and free agency signings have plagued them. They were a mess. But with a new competent management group and a very good coach the Knicks have turned things around and they are in the playoff picture. A lot of that has to do with Thibodeau.
While the offense is average the defense is excellent. It’s not like they added some lockdown defenders. It’s mostly the same team. Last year with Fizdale and Miller their defense was 23rd. Now it’s 2nd. Thibodeau has made this team respectable in just one year, installing a winning culture and attitude.
The Knicks are no longer the joke in New York and the league. It’s ok to be a Knicks fan for the first time in a while, and a lot of it has to do with the work Thibodeau has done.
Now who I want to win is different than who I think should win. I would love for Monty Williams to win. He has made the Suns very good and it’s not like they’ve tasted success in a while. Now they’re 2nd in the West. However Quin Snyder will likely win it. He does deserve it however the Jazz have been making the playoffs so I do view what Williams has done to be more impressive. You could also make the same case for Thibodeau, taking a meh team and making them into a playoff team. But making the playoffs in the West and East are two different things, and I think Monty Williams will win.
Rookie Of The Year
There are only two answers for this, and even then one is clearly the winner. Unless Anthony Edwards or James Wiseman starts averaging 30, it’s between two guys.
Lamelo Ball – Charlotte Hornets
I was wrong about Lamelo, he’s been great this year. I was skeptical about his talents coming into the league but he’s been great. Passing wise he’s like a veteran. There’s a reason the offense has been so good with him as a starter compared to when he’s on the bench. In February Ball was historic, averaging 20-6-7 on 45% shooting and 40% from 3. A question I had with ball is his shooting. When he’s shooting like that he’s tough to guard.
He’s crafty going down the lane and it looks like Charlotte didn’t mess this up. Good job MJ. Ball isn’t the best defender but that’s the least of the problems Charlotte has. This guy if the future and the real deal. Please don’t screw this up again.
Tyrese Haliburton – Sacramento Kings
Ok, I wasn’t wrong about this guy. I had him going top-5 he was that good. Look who was right. Offensively Haliburton is solid. He is a very good set-shooter as he shoots 43% from 3. If he gets an off the dribble game, watch out. But his passing has been so good for a rookie. He picks teams apart in the pick and roll with Holmes and Bagley. He is great as using fakes and manipulation to open up passing lanes.
Defensively he has all the tools and he has looked solid. He has a very long wingspan of 6 feet-7.5 inches. Haliburton already averages 1.4 steals per game and has flashes. If only the Kings started him.
The Kings are a mess but they got themselves the steal of the draft. He has easily been the 2nd best rookie this year with his offense and defense. If he gets better as a scorer and defender, there is something scary down there in Sacramento next to De’Aaron Fox for the future.
6th Man Of The Year
Usually this award goes to Lou Williams, however he’s not in the running this season. So that mean’s time for something new (and if we can’t decide we’ll just give it to Lou Williams). Let’s meet the candidates:
Jordan Clarkson
There is only one candidate for this. It’s not even close. Jordan Clarkson has always been known to be a scorer and recently he’s become one of the best bench scorers in the league. Utah acquired him last year and he’s taken off this year. Quin Snyder gives Clarkson the absolute green light. Shoot when you feel like it. It’s been working.
Clarkson is averaging 17.9 points on 45% shooting from the field and 37% from 3. Those are solid numbers but Clarkson is explosive. He’s had a 40-point game this year, off the bench, which is so hard to do. He’s a flamethrower and easily the best bench player this season.
Unless he gets injured he’s winning the award. Guys like Malik Monk, Chris Boucher, and Eric Gordon aren’t really close. This is a runaway win for Clarkson.
Most Improved Player
This award is another weird one. I could very easily give it to guys like Jokic and Embiid. Jokic is much more efficient and averaging 7 more points. Joel Embiid is also averaging 7 more points and is doing things we haven’t seen since 2016 Curry. Embiid is 7 feet, 280 pounds. But that’s unrealistic. No matter how much we know some guys have improved this is meant for guys who we didn’t know had it in them. Here are the candidates for the award this year:
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Brown & Zach Lavine: both of these guys have been great this year but they were All-Star caliber last year. Similar to Jokic and Embiid while they have improved it’s not out of this world to see them playing like they have been. Not to discredit them but it’s the truth about the award.
Jerami Grant
Jerami Grant was a free agent and instead of signing with a contender where he would have been at best a defender and a 3rd option, he cashed in and got big role with the rebuilding Pistons. While Detroit isn’t great, Grant has been excellent this season.
This season Grant is averaging 23.4 points and 5.3 rebounds on 43% shooting and 36% 3-PT.
Grant is averaging a career-high in points, rebounds, and assists. In his best year he averaged 13.6 points. Last year with Denver he averaged 12.0 points. He’s nearly doubled that. Grant is the front-runner for the award currently and it’s highly likely that he wins.
Christian Wood
Christian Wood was a nobody a few years ago. But he played 8 games with New Orleans in the 2018-19 season and he was solid. Then he got to Detroit and he was good on a poor team, showing flashes. But he wanted out of Detroit and ended up with the Rockets. Before getting injured, the Rockets and Wood were good.
This season Wood is averaging:
22 points and 10.2 rebounds with 1.5 blocks on 59% shooting and 42% from 3.
Wood has been great this year when not dealing with ankle problems. He’s averaging a career high in points, rebounds, assists, blocks, 3-PT%. He has been great.
When Wood got injured in early February. He already missed 3 games with an ankle injury and late January but this was worse. He would miss the rest of the first half of the year and the Rockets lost 13 straight without him. That definitely adds to his value.
Wood is very good and while Grant is the front-runner, if Wood is healthy he has a shot. That 13-game losing streak will help his case because it shows how valuable he is. Wood is progressing to being an All-Star and the face of the Rockets organization.
Julius Randle
Julius Randle had a ceiling, or so we thought. I doubt that anybody imagined he could be doing what he’s currently been doing. Randle went from being a black hole on offense with his endless spin moves into a do it all forward. Tom Thibodeau has changed him and made him an All-Star.
This season Randle is averaging:
23.2 points, 11.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists on 48% shooting and 41% from 3.
Randle has changed. He is averaging a double-double but he’s also been passing more. I never imagined he would be doing that in a million years. Randle has turned into an All-Star and is helped lead the Knicks into the playoff picture for the first time in a while. Randle is only 26 and he will likely be good for a while. Maybe not everything the Knicks touch dies.
I definitely think that it’s between Wood and Grant. It could be Randle but he had averaged 20 points before. Grant and Wood had never done anything like that before. I think that Grant will win the award. He was a borderline All-Star and he has ramped up his production rapidly in Detroit. Wood is good but he was injured. Maybe because Houston lost 13 straight with him out of the lineup makes people want to vote for him. But I do think that Grant should win this award.
Defensive Player Of The Year
This is another award that is very controversial. There are a lot of elements to defense, not just blocks and steals. There are a lot of good defenders in the league but some just have good counting stats and aren’t great defenders. But there have been some absolute lockdown defenders this year, and I will be going over them for this award.
Rudy Gobert
Rudy Gobert has won the award twice already and a 3rd one isn’t out of question. Unlike most centers today, Gobert remains one of the best defenders in the league. The main reason he got that massive 5yr/$205 million dollar deal was because of his great defense. He anchors a top-5 Utah defense and he makes them formidable down low.
Gobert averages 13.1 rebounds and 2.7 blocks per game. He is 2nd in total blocks (98), is 1st in total rebounding (472), and has a defensive rating of 101.8, which is 2nd in the league just under Nerlens Noel. He is an anchor. Opponent shoot just 43.6% when guarded by Gobert.
Gobert is one of the best interior defenders in the league and is an excellent shot-blocker. The case for DPOY #3 is strong for Gobert who has turned into one of the best defenders in the league.
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons is a freak. At 6’11” he doesn’t move like a big at all. He is a great ball handler and passer but when he isn’t scoring you can count on his defense. He is physical and strong and just bodies people up on the perimeter. He is very versatile and a big reason why it’s not fun to play the 76ers.
Simmons averages 7.9 rebounds and 1.6 steals per game. Opponents shoot just 45.7% against Simmons as it’s not easy to score against him. Simmons has a defensive rating of 107.
I think a big advantage Simmons has over Gobert is versatility. Gobert is always down low. Simmons can guard guys like Harden or Curry on the perimeter and do just as good a job on guys like Kawhi and Lebron on the wing. He is so strong and while the stats show Gobert is slightly better Simmons is a nightmare swiss army knife on defense.
Myles Turner
Myles Turner should be a Boston Celtic. Everybody was trying to trade him just season. Now he’s leading the league in blocks and holding down the Pacers defense. Turner is versatile as he can stay on the perimeter with guards with his long arms. He is very good on this end and remains one of the best shot-blockers in the league.
Turner averages just 6.5 rebounds, but he has a league leading 3.4 blocks per game. He leads the league in total blocks by a mile (111). Turner also has a defensive rating 106, which is just outside of the top-10 in the league. Opponent shoot 45.7% when guarded by Turner.
Turner is very versatile but he’s just a worse Gobert. Sure he averages more blocks but he gets no rebounds and he’s far away in defensive rating. Don’t get me wrong, Turner is very good. But he’s not on the same tier as Gobert and there is an argument for Simmons being better than him. If Turner wants to win he needs more rebounds and get closer to Gobert in terms of defensive rating.
This is a runaway for Gobert. He is 2nd in the league in defensive rating, first in the league in total rebounds, 2nd in total blocks, 9th in defensive box plus/minus. He is dominant. Simmons is good but he isn’t on the same level as Gobert and neither is Myles Turner. He’s just a level above everybody else and he should win this award.
Most Valuable Player
The crown jewel of controversy. Every single year there is a guy near the top of the list that shouldn’t he here (it’s Lebron this year). This award changes daily but there are always guys who are near the top. I will go over guys who will stay near the top of the race throughout the year. This isn’t just stats. The whole MVP conversation, record, strength of schedule, and help. Prepare to get mad.
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic has been playing out of his mind. He has been so good. I still view him as the best center in the league with his passing abilities and his incredible feel for the game. Here’s what the Joker is doing this season.
27.1 points (8th), 11.0 rebounds (11th), 8.6 assists (6th) with 1.6 steals (4th) on 57% FG and 42% from 3.
What Jokic is doing is incredible. He is in the top of league in a lot of things, including assists, which is crazy for a center. He is very efficient and taken his game to a new level.
NBA Leaders In Field Goals Made (379)
NBA Leader In PER (31.5)
NBA Leader In Offensive Win Shares (6.5)
NBA Leader In Win Shares (8.3)
NBA Leader In Win Shares Per 48 Minutes: (0.310)
NBA Leader In Box Plus/Minus (11.6)
NBA Leader In Offensive Box Plus/Minus (9.1)
NBA Leader in Value Over Replacement Player (4.4)
Jokic is going crazy on offense. But he likely won’t win unless things start to change in Denver. Jokic’s defense isn’t great but his offense is historic. But the Nuggets are 6th in the West. They definitely need to be top-4 if Jokic wants to win otherwise it’s just viewed as big stats on a decent team. While that may not be the case the Nuggets will have to be better if Jokic wants to win.
Joel Embiid
Joel Embiid is another generational talent at the center position that has taken a big leap this season. His scoring has increased because of increased volume. He is the most dominant force in the NBA right now on both ends and is leading the 76ers to a Finals appearance for the first time in two decades. Here’s what the Process is doing this season:
30.2 points (2nd) and 11.6 rebounds (5th) with 1.2 steals and 1.4 blocks (12th) on 52% shooting and 42% 3-PT shooting.
Embiid has gone god mode. He is a monster in both ends. His defense is as good as ever (104 defensive rating) and his offense is flourishing under Doc River. The 76ers make sure Embiid is involved and it’s paying off as Philly leads the Eastern Conference.
2nd in PER (31.1)
5th in Offensive Win Shares (3.9)
6th in Defensive Win Shares (1.9)
3rd in Win Shares (5.8)
2nd in Win Shares Per 48 Minutes: (0.283)
2nd in Box Plus/Minus (8.5)
NBA Leader In Post-ups: (13.6)
NBA Leader In Post Pts Per Game: (9.0)
Embiid has been dominant. In the post there’s hardly anybody better. He is up there in all the categories that Jokic leads. But I think Embiid has the edge for a few reasons over the Joker. For one the defense is a lot better. Despite Jokic doing incredible things offensively, Embiid is much better defensively. Embiid is very efficient as well and the 76ers have the #1 seed in the East. Yes it’s the East but it’s the #1 seed nonetheless. I do think that Embiid is the frontrunner for MVP although the numbers suggest that Jokic should win.
Damian Lillard
Damian Lillard has been carrying Portland again. Again they have dealt with injuries and yet they are firmly in playoff position. Not even in the play-in (like Curry and the Warriors), they are in the 5th seed. Dame has been incredible in the clutch this season and he’s leading Portland through another rough stretch without any drop-off in play. Here’s what Dame-Dolla has been doing this season.
29.8 points (3rd) and 8.0 assists (8th) on 45% shooting and 38% 3-PT.
Dame has been very good this year. The scoring has remained on par with where he was last year and he’s again averaging a career-high in assists with 8 per game. He’s been very efficient for how much he has the ball and his 3-PT shooting is almost as good as it was last year. But don’t get it wrong. Dame is still having a very good season.
6th In PER: (26.6)
6th In USG%: (32.7%)
2nd In Offensive Win Shares: (5.1)
4th In Win Shares: (5.4)
2nd In Offensive Box Plus/Minus: (7.8)
Blazers Offensive Rating W/ Lillard On Floor: (119.8)
Blazers Offensive Rating W/O Lillard On Floor: (107.3)
3rd in Pick and Roll Points (Ball-Hander) Per Game: (14.1)
2nd in Clutch Points This Season: (104)
T-1st in FG Made In The Clutch: (31)
NBA Leader In Clutch Shooting: (63.3% FG)*** Min 40 attempts
NBA Leader in 3-PT Makers In The Clutch: (14)
NBA Leader In Clutch 3-PT% (58.3%)*** Min 15 attempts
NBA Leader In Clutch Wins: (14)
Dame has been amazing this year, especially in the clutch. He is very easily the clutchest player in the league. He is the heartbeat of this team and has carried them through all of the injuries. While Curry’s number’s are better, Dame is winning. The Blazers are very bad with Dame off the floor than with him on it. He is so important to Portland and he should be in the MVP conversation. He’s been that good this year.
James Harden
Even with the trade to the Nets to play with two other superstars, James Harden is the real deal. He’s much more efficient and still scoring well (not as good as he was in Houston, but you get the point). His assists are the highest they’ve been since 2017 and he’s been playing out of his mind with Brooklyn. Even when we think he’s gone, the historic greatness of James Harden deserves recognition. Lets see what the Beard has been doing in Brooklyn.
25.3 points (13th), 7.8 rebounds, and 11.1 assists (1st) with 1.2 steals on 48% shooting and 40% 3-PT.
Safe to say Harden is still good. He’s the most efficient he’s been in a while with a TS% of 64%, the highest since 2012 with OKC. Harden has a lot of weapons to say the least and he gets a new one with Blake Griffin. Harden is still an MVP caliber player, weather we’re going to like to say it or not.
12 In PER: (24.8)
4th in AST%: (44.5%)
3rd In Offensive Win Shares: (4.3)
5th In Win Shares: (5.4)
6th In Offensive Box Plus/Minus: (6.5)
8th In Box Plus/Minus: (6.6)
Harden won’t win the award, but he’s been very good. Everybody is going to say stacked team, easy to put up those numbers. That is why KD, Harden, or Irving won’t get any love despite all 3 of them playing incredible. Harden has been really good this year. His efficiency is way up and he’s still very good offensively despite having the ball. But I do think that Harden would trade numbers for a ring, which is looking more and more like a reality with this Nets team.
Luka Doncic
After starting slow Luka Magic is back. While his numbers are similar to last year, he’s much more efficient. He was out of shape to start the year (his words, not mine), and after torching the skies in February, the magician has returned for the Mavs. Lets see what Luka has been up to this season:
28.6 points (7th), 8.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists (4th) on 48% shooting from the field and 36% from 3.
Last year Doncic was doing a little better in the counting stats department. But the key for Doncic has been shot selection. He’s shooting 48% from the field this year, above what he was at least year (46%). He’s also shooting 36% from 3, shooting 44% from 3 in February. If the 3’s are falling, look out.
1st In AST%: (46%)
5th In Offensive Box Plus/Minus: (6.7)
5th In Box Plus/Minus: (7.5)
5th In Value Over Replacement Player: (2.7)
1st In Pick And Roll Points As Ball-Handler: (14.4)
Mavs Offensive Rating W/ Luka: (117.5)
Mavs Offensive Rating W/O Luka: (104.4)
4th In Triple-Doubles: (7)
If the Mavs keep winning and climbing the standings Luka has a chance. He has been really good this season, much more efficient. We saw the talent in February. If he’s hitting 3’s, you might as well stop playing. Luka is a generational talent and he will have a lot of seasons like this. Count this one as his 2nd really good one. The 2nd of many.
I think Joel Embiid has this one in a runaway. He is playing so well on both ends, and he’s dominating from the mid-range and from the post. Nikola Jokic has far better numbers but Denver isn’t dominating. Jokic is so good in the pick and roll and he has been playing out of his mind. Those two should be 1 and 2, but Embiid will win it because of seeding.
If you’re wondering where guys like Curry and Giannis are, here’s an explanation. The media won’t give Giannis 3 straight MVP’s and the Bucks haven’t been as dominant in the regular season. For Curry it’s kind of simple. The numbers are there but Golden State is barely above 0.500. Dame is doing similar things with less and Portland is 5th. I think it’s kind of obvious.
So here’s by top 3 right now based on who’s going to win, not who’s deserving:
1: Joel Embiid
2(Should Be 1): Nikola Jokic
3. Damian Lillard
What Are Your Award Predictions? Leave A Comment Down Below!
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