With the dawn of a new season comes predicting the way the season will go. That’s no different when it comes to predicting the awards for the NBA. Last year we saw all international players taking the majority of awards. Lou Williams was the only American born player to take one of the major awards. Milwaukee Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer and General Manager swept those categories. So with a new year, comes new speculation for who will collect some accolades and add to the resume. American players will try to recapture most of the hardware and bring home the 2019-20 NBA awards.
2019-20 NBA Awards
Rookie of the Year
Zion Williamson – New Orleans Pelicans
Zion Williamson is probably the easiest one to predict. The only player that could give him a run for his money would be Ja Morant from the Memphis Grizzlies. Williamson has all of the attributes to be a leader for the New Orleans Pelicans. The team is young and will rely on the highly-touted player out of Duke. He is impressing crowds in the preseason with his play. Williamson’s ability to attack the rim and finish is impressive.
The midrange and three-point shots are his kryptonite. If teams are able to clamp down on his presence in the key, he will need to be able to knock down shots to pull out defenses. However, his athleticism will keep coaches up at night. His effective field goal percentage should be stellar for a rookie. He should run away with this award.
Executive of the Year
Justin Zanik – Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz had an offseason that was unforgettable. After shipping off a couple of players for the services of Mike Conley, free agents were willing to sign with the Utah Jazz. Although the Jazz was trying to key in on free agents in the past, none would sign. The last time the Jazz had a top-20 free agent sign was in 2009 when Carlos Boozer signed to join Deron Williams. This year surpasses any previous year.
With Bojan Bogdanovic, Ed Davis, and Jeff Green joining Donovan Mitchell and Rudy Gobert, this team became scary to play. The ability to have any of those players make an impact on any night is impressive. Although, other teams in the Western Conference loaded up on talent. The Jazz were the only team to add many pieces without one making an All-Star team. This team could push for the top of the wild, wild West.
Coach of the Year
Alvin Gentry – New Orleans Pelicans
This one is simple. If the Pelicans make the playoffs in a loaded Western Conference, Gentry should be given this award unanimously. He is entering his fifth season as the head coach and has only made the playoffs once. That was the year the Pelicans swept the Portland Trailblazers in the first round.
This roster has changed a lot. There is only one projected starter that was on the roster last year, Jrue Holiday. David Griffin could have been in line for Executive of the Year. But, if this team succeeds, it will be because of Gentry’s work. Once this team learns to play under his system and gels with one another, they could be a force for years to come.
Sixth Man of the Year
Montrezl Harrell – Los Angeles Clippers
There will be a Sixth Man of the Year award win with the Los Angeles Clippers, just not Lou Williams. Montrezl Harrell took third in last years voting. This year could be different. With the new talent added to the roster, Williams and Harrell will still come off the bench. But, Harrell will be there at the end of more games. He will play the power forward and center positions and should be able to produce when he is on the court.
Coming into his fifth season in the NBA, third with the Clippers, Harrell understood his role and embraced under the long-time coach Doc Rivers. He would come off the bench to replace Tobias Harris when he would check out. After Harris’ trade last season, Harrell continued to come off the bench. He should continue to grow and clamp down defensively when Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are on the court.
Defensive Player of the Year
Rudy Gobert – Utah Jazz
Rudy Gobert will join some elite company when this season end. He will join Dwight Howard with three consecutive Defensive Player of the Year awards. Gobert does so much to disrupt his opponents. The three-time All-Defensive team selection lead the NBA in Defensive box plus/minus and was second in Defensive Win Shares for the 2018-19 season.
With a much-improved team, Gobert shouldn’t need to be the presence he was last year. He will be able to hold down the paint, without having to stretch to the three-point line. Having longer options to help on the wing should help shut down the paint and force players to alter their shot. Expect Gobert to lead in defensive plus/minus, defensive win shares, and blocks.
Most Valuable Player
Stephen Curry – Golden State Warriors
This is the year that NBA fans have waited to see. Let’s see how Stephen Curry can play without having Kevin Durant, Draymond Green slowly declining, and missing Klay Thompson for the majority of the season. Curry has been the one to lead this team in the past. However, when he has had an off night, he has relied on Thompson and Durant to pick up the load offensively.
With a top-loaded roster, Curry will have to go back to the pre-Durant seasons and dominate on offense and not be a liability on defense. The Golden State Warriors will have to play with the quick play that has helped them in the past. If Curry can keep the Warriors above water until Thompson comes back, he is deserving of the title, Most Valuable Player.
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