The 2019-2020 NBA season and playoffs are in jeopardy due to COVID-19. If the remainder of the season is indeed canceled, there would be awards for the portion of the season that was played. Here are my predictions:
Most Improved Player
Brandon Ingram | New Orleans Pelicans
Brandon Ingram being traded from the Lakers to the Pelicans made all the difference in developing himself into a young star.
Last season on the Lakers, Ingram played nearly 34 minutes a game and was a starter throughout. He averaged 18.3 points per game and shot 33 percent from three on the year.
Now, while playing the exact number of minutes each game, Ingram has progressed his numbers significantly. He’s now averaging 24.2 points per game and shooting 38.7 percent from deep. Ingram has also improved his defense, averaging twice as many steals per game.
Ingram is the clear cut favorite to win Most Improved Player this season and for a great reason. He should continue to progress his game over the coming years and will eventually be one of the best wing scorers in the league.
Defensive Player of the Year
Anthony Davis | Los Angeles Lakers
Anthony Davis is the ultimate game-changer. He dominates opposing teams on both ends of the court with his strength and athleticism. So winning his first Defensive Player of the Year award should make perfect sense.
Tied for second in the league with 2.4 blocks per game, Davis proves he is one of the best shot blockers in the league. He is also in the top 15 in steals per game with 1.5.
Davis’ best defensive performance this year came back in January. He tallied 8 blocks and 3 steals in a win over the Detroit Pistons.
Anthony Davis is one of a few players in the league who has a chance at winning both MVP and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. Over the next few years, he can join both Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to do so.
Sixth Man Award
Derrick Rose | Detroit Pistons
The 2011 MVP is back to making defenders look silly after joining the Detroit Pistons last offseason. After making the move to his fifth team in six years, Derrick Rose has stepped into the new role of the sixth man.
Rose is averaging 18.1 points and 5.6 assists per game, which are exceptional numbers for someone coming off the bench. He is also shooting a career-best, 49 percent from the field.
During the month of February, Rose was simply incredible. He had 20 or more points in 14 of the 15 total games, including his best performance of the season where he scored 27 points and dished out 9 assists.
Rose should return to being a starter in the next few seasons, but watching him come off the bench sure has been exciting.
Rookie of the Year
Ja Morant | Memphis Grizzlies
To me, this one is a no-brainer. Morant has been outstanding since the minute he stepped onto an NBA court. The rookie is averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game and taking over social media with insane highlights every night.
Not only has Morant shown us his special basketball abilities, but he has also stepped into a leadership role and taken command of the Grizzlies in only his first year in the league.
Morant has the chance to become one of the best guards in the NBA, and based on his sensational rookie year, it may happen sooner than we all think.
Most Valuable Player
LeBron James | Los Angeles Lakers
Over the years, the NBA world has come to understand that it takes more than being one of the top stat sheet fillers for a player to win the MVP Award. To be the most valuable player, your team needs to be highly successful as well.
LeBron James has checked both boxes off this season.
At age 35, LeBron’s per-game averages are simply insane. He’s nearly averaging a triple-double with 25.7 points, a league-best 10.6 assists, and 7.9 rebounds per game.
Although there are plenty of choices, LeBron’s best performance this season came against the Dallas Mavericks. He dominated them throughout all four quarters and overtime, finishing with 39 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists.
LeBron James has once again taken over the NBA as his Los Angeles Lakers hold the second-best record in the league at 49-14 and the first seed in the Western Conference.
There is no doubt that reigning MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo is putting together another fabulous campaign, however, LeBron James is effectively mirroring his stats at 35 years old. Thus, if LeBron wins the award, he will join Karl Malone as the oldest player in NBA history to do so.
