NBA 2020-2021 Award Predictions
The NBA has just hit the midseason mark, and it’s time to start looking towards the regular season awards and playoff seeding. There are a couple of awards that’s outcome is nearly set in stone already, and some that are still up for grabs. Playoffs are rapidly approaching and more teams will be in the field this year, with the new play in tournament that gives 20 teams a shot at the title. Let’s take a look at this season's award races.
MVP (Most Valuable Player)
Front runner(winner)- Joel Embiid
Even after being ruled out for 2-3 weeks, Embiid is still the favorite to take home what would be his first MVP award. The Process is averaging nearly thirty points per game on excellent efficiency, especially from three point range where he is shooting over 42%. The Sixers are still hanging on to the one seed in the eastern conference, even after James Harden joined Brooklyn. Embiid’s presence on the floor and in the paint is what makes him the favorite, as he is a complete difference maker inside averaging over 11 rebounds, a career high in steals, and about 1.5 blocks.
Runner up- Nikola Jokic
Although Denver got off to a slow start this year, Jokic has kept his team up there with the Western Conference powerhouses. The Joker is an assist and a half away from averaging a triple-double, which is unheard of for a center. Jokic and Embiid have both been dominant, and are putting up very similar stats; both shooting a career high three point percentage, been incredibly efficient from inside, averaging a career high in steals, and over 11 boards. The big difference between these two is Jokic’s lack of defensive skill, and Embiid’s ability to lead his team to the top seed, while Denver is sitting at 5 right now in the West.
In the running- Lebron James
It’s no shock to see Lebron James being considered for another MVP award in the 2020-2021 season. His ability to improve and create shots for the players around him is what makes him so special. Lebron is the definition of valuable, for an NBA team. Averaging 25-8-8, Bron is still able to do it all for the Lakers, even though they’ll be missing AD for over 3 more weeks.
Honorable Mentions
Steph Curry
James Harden
Damian Lillard
ROTY (Rookie of the Year)
Front Runner (winner)- Lamelo Ball
Lamelo Ball has shocked the world by what he has been able to do this season with the Hornets, doing more than what anyone not named Lavar expected, averaging about 16-6-6. Normally, it’s very difficult for point guards to come into the league and make an immediate impact, but LaMelo has adjusted very well and has been playing exceptionally well after being moved into the starting lineup recently. He will without a doubt take home this award, even after suffering a season-ending injury.
Runner up- Tyrese Haliburton
After falling to pick 12 in last year’s draft, Tyrese has proved his doubters wrong. He is an efficient scorer and playmaking guard, who can grab a good amount of rebounds as well. He’s shooting over 42 percent from three and has really benefited playing alongside De'aaron Fox, as he has been running a shooting guard role quite a bit. The rookie guard out of Iowa State is looking like he could be an exciting player to watch in the upcoming years in Sacramento.
In the running- Anthony Edwards
The best thing Edwards has done all year is put up an insane poster against the Toronto Raptors last month. Other than that, the number 1 overall pick has somewhat lived down to the expectations everyone had set for him and the Minnesota Timberwolves this year. He’s shooting awful from the field, and is only recognized here for his ability to take over games when he’s hot. When he’s not hot, he has the ability to take his team right out of games.
Honorable mention
James Wiseman (when healthy)
DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year)
Front Runner(winner)- Ben Simmons
Simmons’ size, skill, and hustle is what earns him the nod here as the front runner for DPOY. He is a pest on the defensive end, intercepting passing lanes, along with stripping and blocking opposing players. He is also capable of guarding every position on the floor, which is becoming more common in today’s NBA, and he can do it to a standard that no one else is quite able to do. Simmons is the leader of the Sixers’ top ten defense this season as well.
Runner up- Rudy Gobert
Two time DPOY, Rudy Gobert, has a chance to take home the award for a third time in 2021, as he has been playing at an all star caliber level this season. Gobert is seen as the best defensive center in the NBA, but his lack of ability to shut down the league’s top big men is what helps give Simmons the top spot in the running this year. Embiid went off against the Jazz and killed Gobert inside last month. Jokic is averaging 41 points in meetings with Utah this year as well. It also doesn’t help that Gobert is constantly seen on highlight reels on the opposite end of a poster, but he does get his fair share of denials as well. He is leading the NBA’s best team right now, the Utah Jazz, who are fueled by their defense.
In the running- Myles Turner
Earlier in the year, Turner was the favorite for this award as he started off insanely hot, averaging about 4 blocks per game. He has cooled down a bit, now averaging 3.4 blocks per game, but is still a force in the paint. It seems as if whenever he goes up to contest a shot, he sends it the other way. His Pacers have also slowed down after a hot start, along with their defense, setting Turner back in the rankings here.
Honorable Mentions
Clint Capela
Giannis Antetukoumpo
6MOY (6th Man of the Year)
Front runner (winner) - Jordan Clarkson
Here’s another jazz player in consideration for an award this season. This time it’s for the 6MOY award. Jordan Clarkson has been running the show for the best team in the league’s second unit. Providing a fantastic scoring option, and a decent addition to the defensive end, Clarkson is averaging almost 18 points and a steal a night. He can do it all on offense, as he is a great shooter and can score at all three levels.
Runner up- Montrezl Harrell
Although the Lakers haven’t lived up to their "best team in the NBA" hype going into the season, they have still been a great team while withstanding key injuries to AD. Trez has been a spark plug off the bench, backing up Gasol. He provides an offensive threat outside of Lebron James, as we’ve seen him be during his Clippers’ days. Montrezl won the award last year, but a repeat is unlikely due to Clarkson’s emergence.
In the running- Eric Gordon
Although the Rockets have been terrible this season, Eric Gordon has been a bright spot coming off of the bench. Last year was an off year for Gordan, but he has bounced back nicely and embraced the true 6th man role as he did a few years ago. He’s become a great defender, and of course provides a great jumpshot. Even though this award is pretty much set in stone, Gordon deserves to be recognized for what he has done with underwhelming talent around him.
Honorable mentions (if any)
Terrence Ross
Chris Boucher
MIP (Most Improved Player)
Front Runner(winner)- Jerami Grant
After signing a massive deal to play for Detroit last offseason, Grant has only gone on to exceed everyone’s expectations this year. He has increased his points per game average by over 11 points, along with his rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. Grant went from a solid defender coming off the bench, to the primary scoring option and starting power forward on his new team. The future is bright for the young star, and he’ll continue to show that he’s worth 20 million dollars a year, maybe even more.
Runner up- Christian Wood
Christian Wood had a rough start to his NBA career. He bounced around from team to team after being undrafted. Wood finally earned some real minutes at the end of last season with Detroit, proving himself to teams such as Houston, who took a chance on him giving Wood 13 million dollars a year. That is arguably the best contract in the NBA, considering Wood likely would’ve made the all star game if he hadn’t gotten injured. He went from someone who was starting on one of the worst teams in the league, that were playing him because they wanted to lose, to a superstar in this league. Christian Wood will be a big name in the NBA, and if he is able to bring this Houston team back into playoff contention, then he should be considered for this award, and maybe even win.
In the running- Chris Boucher
It’s a shame that Boucher broke out the same year as the two players listed above, because he deserves to be recognized for the jump he’s made this year. After losing Marc Gasol and Ibaka in the same offseason, Toronto needed a big man to step up. Boucher has done just that, as he shoots efficiently from the field and especially from three point range. He also provides a lanky presence on defense, as he averages nearly 2 blocks.
Honorable mentions (many guys could be considered for this award, but only mentioning three)-
Julius Randle
Jaylen Brown
Zach Lavine
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