Welcome to Part II of simulating the rest of the NBA season on NBA 2K. The previous article featured the final standings along with a brief recap of each team’s season.
Here, we will be revealing all of the individual awards.
This includes the six major awards (Most Valuable Player, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved Player, Coach of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and 6th Man of the Year). In addition to those awards, we will be providing the All-NBA, All-Defensive and All-Rookie members.
Awards
A clear pick here, Antetokounmpo finished second in both points and assists while only playing 30 minutes a game. He also led the Bucks to a league-best 67-15 record.
ROY: Ja Morant
If you would have said the Grizzlies would be in the playoffs at the beginning of the year, you would be considered crazy. Ja Morant, however, came in and took control of this team, leading them to a playoff spot and earning himself Rookie of the Year.
MIP: Bam Adebayo
A solid young player with potential at the beginning of the year, Adebayo burst onto the scene seeing his numbers rise in every category. A big part of the Heat’s overachieving, he joined Antetokounmpo, LeBron James and Anthony Davis as the four players to make both an All-NBA and All-Defensive team this year.
COY: Frank Vogel
Coming into one of the biggest markets and coaching one of the best players of all-time who has a history of struggling with coaches, Vogel was able to rally both James and the Lakers to finish with the best record in the west.
6MOY: Dennis Schroder
Schroder was the Thunder’s leading scorer and averaged 20 points per game in a mere 28 minutes per contest. He also contributed five assists and four rebounds a night.
DPOY: Anthony Davis
The leader of the best defense in the league, Davis recorded 2.5 blocks and 1.7 steals a game. The Lakers defensive rating with Davis on the bench is middle of the pack, highlighting his importance to the team’s defense.
All-NBA First Team:
Guard: Damian Lillard
Lillard catches fire late as he shoots 49 percent from three following the suspension. He wins Player of the Month in April but that is not enough to carry Portland to the No. 8 seed.
Guard: Luka Doncic
Doncic struggles scoring as he scores under 20 points in five of the 15 games. Before the suspension, he only had three games under 20 points. His assist totals pick up, having a streak of six games with double figures in assists
Forward: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo continues his consistency, recording 20 points and 10 rebounds every game following the hiatus. He captures his second straight MVP, leading the Bucks to a league-best 67-15 record.
Forward: LeBron James
James only plays 12 of the Lakers’ 19 games with a groin injury but is still able to record six more triple-doubles. He improves his free throws, shooting 82 percent the rest of the season
Center: Nikola Jokic
Jokic shoots an efficient 61 percent to close out the season, earning himself his second straight All-NBA First Team nod.
All-NBA Second-Team:
Guard: Trae Young
Young joins “Tiny” Nate Archibald as the second player ever to average 30 points and 10 assists in a season. Just short of this mark entering the last game, Young dishes out 16 assists to reach an average of 10 on the season.
Guard: James Harden
Harden is unable to find his groove following the hiatus as his points per game, RPG, APG, field goal percentage and three-point percentage all drop. Still, Harden finishes with the scoring title for the second straight season.
Forward: Anthony Davis
Davis struggles without James, losing six of the seven games without him. Despite this struggle, Davis finishes the season strong, earning his first Defensive Player of the Year award.
Forward: Kawhi Leonard
Kawhi Leonard played 30 seconds in the first game back before breaking his foot, which ultimately held him out for the rest of the season and the playoffs. His performance before the hiatus was still good enough to earn him a Second Team All-NBA nod.
Center: Joel Embiid
Embiid elevates his game as he averages 28 points per game the rest of the season en route to winning Player of the Month in April. Embiid closes out the season by playing his best game ever, recording 49 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks on an efficient 20-for-27 shooting clip.
All-NBA Third Team:
Guard: Russell Westbrook
Westbrook continued his stellar break, and although his averages did not go up, he shot 53 percent from the field after the league resumed.
Guard: Bradley Beal
Beal only plays seven of the last 16 games with a toe injury. Still, Beal’s stellar offensive play gives him his first ever All-NBA team nod.
Forward: Jayson Tatum
Tatum’s numbers stay relatively the same, but he hits two buzzer-beaters that ultimately earn the Celtics the No. 3 seed.
Forward: Pascal Siakam
Siakam averages 28.5 to close out the season, including a 46-point performance against the Sixers. He also averages 32 points during the Raptors’ nine-game win streak.
Center: Bam Adebayo
Bam! An incredible season from the third-year player out of Kentucky puts Adebayo as an All-Star, All-Defense member, and All-NBA member who wins Most Improved Player. Only 22 years of age, Adebayo will only continue to improve.
All-Defensive First Team:
G: Ben Simmons
G: Jrue Holiday
F: Anthony Davis
F: Giannis Antetokounmpo
C: Rudy Gobert
All-Defensive Second Team:
G: Marcus Smart
G: Eric Bledsoe
F: LeBron James
C: Bam Adebayo
All-Rookie First Team:
G: Ja Morant
G: Coby White
All-Rookie Second Team:
G: R.J Barrett
