Look for LeBron to rise to the occasion in L.A. with an MVP award

Charlotte Observer National Basketball Association writer Rick Bonnell projects awards for the 2018-19 season:

Rookie of the year:

Collin Sexton of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Lots of strong candidates here, including the Charlotte Hornets’ Miles Bridges. My thinking is that the Cavs can only be good if point guard Sexton has a major impact.

Coach of the year:

Quin Snyder of the Utah Jazz. Snyder is innovative in play design and has the players to be balanced on offence and defence.

Defensive player of the year:

Utah’s Rudy Gobert. Sometimes shot blockers get excessive credit for their overall impact defensively. Not in this case.

DeMarcus Cousins of the Golden State Warriors.

Sixth Man award:

He might start once he’s healthy, but wouldn’t it be a cool story if he helped the Warriors win another title as a super sub?

Josh Richardson of the Miami Heat. This is the award hardest to define because “improved” is so subjective based on circumstance.

Most improved player:

But Richardson definitely has star-in-the-making potential.

LeBron James of the L.A. Lakers. If James can somehow drag L.A.’s cobbled-together roster to the second round of the playoffs, it would be a whole new testament to his talent, savvy and gravitas.

Most valuable player: