TROPHY CASES DEMYSTIFIED
As the NBA rushes quickly to the end of the regular season, the focus shifts slightly to the various end-of-season awards. The 125 or so writers and broadcasters who will determine the winners are pouring over stats and reports to see who might win what before votes have to be submitted by midnight on April 13. And with a strong proviso that the order of many of these may change depending on the next few days, because team success is an integral part of the voting, here’s a look at submissions in six key categories by the Star’s Doug Smith . . .
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER THE BALLOT
James Harden, Houston LeBron James, Cleveland Anthony Davis, New Orleans DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Damian Lillard, Portland
The only thing in doubt is the order of the final three on the only five-man ballot in the group. Harden not only found a way to smoothly co-exist with another ball-dominant guard in Chris Paul while still piling up numbers, but he’s playing at the highest level of his career. James is the most dominant physical specimen in the game, but he was part of a group that stumbled out of the gate this season and that counts. DeRozan does belong in this group for expanding and changing his game, while Lillard and Davis have almost singlehandedly made their teams relevant, especially Davis in the wake of the season-ending injury to DeMarcus Cousins.
THE SNUBS
Kevin Durant, Golden State Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Donovan Mitchell, Utah Ben Simmons, Philadelphia Jayson Tatum, Boston
This one is very much in doubt because Simmons is doing things no rookie has done for decades, and the order of the top two might come down to which team finishes the season better. Simmons’ stats aside — and they are astounding — in this day and age, doesn’t a player have to make at least one three-pointer to win this award? Mitchell’s play salvaged what looked to be a lost season in Utah: Gordon Hayward gone, Rudy Gobert hurt and he lifted that team to relevance. But there is still some thinking to be done over the last few days before a final, final decision is made.
THE SNUBS
Kyle Kuzma, L.A. Lakers Dennis Smith Jr., Dallas Lauri Markkanen, Chicago
DEFENSIVE PLAYER
Rudy Gobert, Utah Al Horford, Boston Anthony Davis, New Orleans
Gobert, frankly, is a freak. His ability to protect the rim, get back in transition and dissuade even the most hearty opponent from entering the paint is unbelievable. Horford anchors the best defence in the league and Davis rebounds, gets steals and blocks shots.
THE SNUBS
Draymond Green, Golden State Paul George, Oklahoma City Joel Embiid, Philadelphia
COACH OF THE YEAR
Dwane Casey, Toronto Nate McMillan, Indiana Brad Stevens, Boston
There are probably eight guys who could legitimately be in the conversation. That’s how deep the coaching ranks have been. There might be some Eastern influence at the moment, so the final two spots could very well change by the middle of the week. Casey’s willingness to change his offence, his way of getting key players to buy in, and having the patience and trust to develop the best backup unit in the league gives him the nod. He’s mixed and matched to the best season in team history. McMillan has the Pacers where no one imagined they would be in the post-Paul George era, and Stevens crafted a lot out of a little.
THE SNUBS
Quin Snyder, Utah Brett Brown, Philadelphia Mike D’Antoni, Houston Terry Stotts, Portland
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
Victor Oladipo, Indiana Fred VanVleet, Toronto Clint Capela, Houston
There’s no single way to determine who has improved the most — because so much of it has to do with opportunity, maybe a move to a new system, a new coach or new teammates — but Oladipo has blossomed and has put up better numbers in every key category. VanVleet’s obviously benefited from a bigger role, but did he get that bigger role because his game has improved so much? He’s a better shooter and a better finisher at the rim while still being a dogged defender on a team lurking near 60 wins.
THE SNUBS
Steven Adams, Oklahoma City DeMar DeRozan, Toronto Andre Drummond, Detroit
SIXTH MAN
Lou Williams, L.A. Clippers Fred VanVleet, Toronto Eric Gordon, Houston
Imagine where the Clippers, having traded Chris Paul and Blake Griffin and suffered a series of debilitating injuries to key players, would be without Williams, leading the team in scoring and dominating fourth quarters. VanVleet’s maybe the best story of the season: an undrafted, undersized guard closing games for the top team in the East as their best defensive player and the most important player on the best backup unit. Gordon’s been very good, but others have simply been better.
THE SNUBS
Jordan Clarkson, Cleveland Will Barton, Denver