Award notables
Afourth down into the 2016-2017 Season of the National Basketball Association and so far competition, both from team and individual performance standpoints, has been exciting and noteworthy. In terms of individual performances, a number of players have made it happen right from the starting gate so much so that they have positioned themselves well for consideration for top individual honors at season’s end even this early.
Averaging a triple-double of 31.1 points (No. 1 in the league), 10.9 rebounds and 11 assists (second) per game, it is hard to overlook Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City as a solid most valuable player contender.
While a stepped-up play this year from “Jet Zero” was expected with the departure of Kevin Durant in the offseason, still the rate that Westbrook is going is very impressive.
He has racked up 12 triple-doubles in 24 games as of this writing, including seven straight at one point. More importantly, he has kept the Thunder in contention with a 15-4 record with his standout play.
Also having it great is James Harden of the Houston Rockets, who apart from averaging a fifth-best 27.8-point scoring average is leading the league in assists with 11.6 dimes.
He is in a position to lead the league in both scoring and assists with 58 games left in their season, something not accomplished in 40 years since NBA legend Nate Archibald did it back in the day.
Like Westbrook, Harden has made his Rockets a contender in the tough Western Conference with a currently third-running record of 17-7.
Making waves as well and worthy for consideration this early are LeBron James (25 ppg, 7.7 rpg and 9.1 apg) for the defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers (17-5), Durant (25.8 ppg, 8.4 rpg and 4.6 apg) of the Golden State Warriors (21-4), DeMar Derozan (27.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg and 4.3 apg) of the Toronto Raptors (17-7) and Kawhi Leonard (24.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 3 apg and 1.9 spg) of the San Antonio Spurs (19-5).
Compared to previous seasons, the rookie race this year has been rather muted but nonetheless showing some interesting prospective winners.
While technically he is no rookie, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid (18.2 ppg, 7.6 rpg and 2.5 bpg) has been making believers out of many that the two-year wait for him because of injuries were worth it.
His minutes and usage rate are still being controlled by the Sixers (6-18), so it is highly likely that he would pad his numbers.
Denver’s Jamal Murray, the seventh pick, is having it steady with numbers of 9.6 points, 2.8 rebounds and two assists in 22 minutes of play with the Nuggets.
Rookie top pick Ben Simmons of the Sixers is yet to play because of injury, while Brandon Ingram (Los Angeles Lakers) and Jaylen Brown (Boston), the second and third picks, respectively, have had their moments here and there but have not really established some consistency so far.
For most improved player, it has to be Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks who has jacked up his stats considerably in the current season from the last.
The “Greek Freak” is averaging career-highs of 21.9 points, nine rebounds, 5.9 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.5 blocks in 22 games for the Bucks (11-12). He has been the team’s prime playmaker and is delivering accordingly.
Also showing marked improvement this season are Antetokounmpo teammate Jabari Parker (19 ppg, 5.7 rpg and 2.1 apg), Nick Young (13.4 ppg) of the Lakers (10-16), DeRozan, and Kemba Walker (23.3 ppg and 5 apg) of Charlotte (14-11).
While it still early in the season to call the award winners, definitely the above-mentioned players have gained some headway in the respective award races they are in. Will they get to sustain it? That we will know as the NBA progresses.