Thunderstruck! Russ is MVP
Carmelo Anthony, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Durant, Steph Curry and LeBron James were absent from the inaugural NBA Awards Show, which nonetheless had its moments and managed not to switch any envelopes.
The NBA has tried to turn this into an Oscars-type show at Basketball City in Manhattan, hosted by rapper Drake and featuring an Egyptian-themed performance from Nicki Minaj.
Drake carried much of the show (until fading in the second half) and Bill Russell highlighted the night when, after accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award, opened his speech by pointing to Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson, Shaquille O’Neal, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and announcing, “I would kick your ass.”
The platinum artist opened his monologue with a bunch of one-liners, ragging on the Knicks (“New York is the City that never sleeps because everyone here thinks they’re going to be traded”), Draymond Green’s podcast (“It’s an awful listen”) and, of course, LaVar Ball (“He’s the black father who’s around too much.”)
After nearly 2½ hours, we’re able to recap the pomp and circumstance with a few grafs on the six major awards:
MVP
Russell Westbrook, the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double, beat out James Harden despite his team winning just 47 games and finishing sixth in the Western Conference.
His numbers were remarkable and, more than anything else, tells the story of the 2017 MVP: 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists. Without Kevin Durant – who controversially left for the Warriors – Westbrook dominated the ball and the record books.
He averaged career highs in points, rebounds, shot attempts (24) and turnovers (5.4), winning the award three years after Durant captured his MVP. He brought his teammates to the stage and the speech turned tearful when he brought up his family.
“I don’t know (how I can improve on this year),” said Westbrook. “I get asked that question every year. And I just go out and there and try.”
Mike D’Antoni captured his second Coach of the Year award – this time with the Rockets — and, with his first line on stage, joked about his treatment when he guided the Knicks.
“I never thought I’d be in New York and thank the sportswriters for Coach of the Year,” he said.
While implemening his speedball system in Houston, D’Antoni’s squad won 55 games and created an MVP candidate in James Harden. It was a rejuvenation for the 66-year-old after failed stints with the Knicks and Lakers.
His time in New York was doomed by a rift with Carmelo Anthony and an overall resistance to preferred style of offense.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Draymond Green, wearing a suit jacket with shorts, added Defensive Player of the Year to his second NBA title, taking the only award Monday for either the Warriors or the Cavaliers.
Green’s defensive versatility at his size – with the ability to guard all five positions – has allowed the Warriors to thrive with their smallball lineup.
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Malcolm Brogdon became the first winner of this award not drafted in the first round since the start of the common draft era 1966, winning after averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 assists as the Bucks’ starting point guard. He beat out Sixers finalists Joel Embiid – who missed over 50 games last season – and Dario Saric – the 12th overall pick in 2014 who finally jumped to the NBA before last season.
SIXTH MAN
Eric Gordon made the right decision by signing with the Rockets last summer over the Knicks, and he was rewarded as Sixth Man of the Year after averaging over 16 points in Mike D’Antoni’s run-andgun system.
Gordon signed with the Rockets for four years, $53 million, while the Knicks went with Courtney Lee for four years, $50 million.
MOST IMPROVED
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who many regard as the next great superstar in the East, after carrying the Bucks into the playoffs while averaging 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists (up from his 2015-16 averages of 16.9, 7.7, 4.3).