NBA Mid-Season Awards:

Is Giannis Antetokounmpo a lock to win back-to-back MVP? Can Zion Williamson steal the Rookie of the Year from Ja Morant? Here are my mid-season awards picks with All-Star break officially over.

The NBA has undergone quite the transformation since the end of last season. The Warriors are no longer a super-team, both the LA teams are now contenders, and a lot of superstar movement which has the Finals as wide open as we can remember in recent memory. But with a little under 30 games left until the playoffs, there are still twists & surprises up ahead.

Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks

Runners-up: LeBron James (LA Lakers), Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), James Harden (Houston Rockets) Damian Lillard (Portland Trailblazers)

This award is trending towards being a runaway MVP campaign for Giannis Antetokounmpo. After starting the season 6-3, Milwaukee has been on a tear going 40-5 since then and Giannis has implemented himself as the most dominant force in the NBA. Giannis overall volume is historically impressive. Giannis is on pace to be the first player since Wilt Chamberlain in 1965-1966 to average 30 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists per game, while adding over a block and steal per game. What’s even more impressive, is Giannis is averaging his fewest minutes per game at 30.9 since his rookie season when he averaged 24.6 minutes per game. Giannis leads the NBA in PER (Player Efficiency Rating) and is on pace to have the highest PER in NBA history. The Bucks leads the NBA in wins and is also top 5 in offensive & defensive rating. The fact that Milwaukee is playing this well with Giannis being the only star is just flat out displaying Giannis greatness. At this moment, I do not see how anyone can reward anyone not named Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse (Toronto Raptors)

Runners-up: Erik Spoelstra (Miami Heat), Billy Donovan (Oklahoma City Thunder), Mike Budenholzer (Milwaukee Bucks)

Many people including myself, expected the Raptors to take a huge step back due to Kawhi Leonard leaving for the Clippers after their championship run. However, up to this point, Toronto have been better at this point of the season than they were last year, sitting second in the East at 40-15. Toronto has endured injuries to several of their key players and this team continues to win games which includes a 15-game win streak and still have managed to be a top 10 defense. The confidence that Nick Nurse instills in his players and the chemistry and hunger that Toronto plays with is a beauty to watch. If Toronto continues to play the way they were going into All-Star break then Nick Nurse certainly deserves to win Coach of the Year.

Sixth Man of the Year: Dennis Schroder (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Runners-up: Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell (LA Clippers)

This is pretty much the Lou Williams award right now and he’s the favorite to win the award again as he should be. However; at this point of the season, I believe this race is very tight between Dennis Schroder, Montrezl Harrell, and Lou Williams. I find myself choosing a different frontrunner between these three players for this award just about every week. The combination of Lou Williams & Montrezl Harrell off the bench is the best in the NBA. Lou Williams has won this award three times as he has been consistent this year, averaging 19.5 points & 5.9 assists per game while being one of the Clippers late game closers. The other Clipper running mate in Montrezl Harrell deserves more consideration for this award over the past year and deserves even more consideration this year. Due to how much of an impact Harrell provides for the Clippers. Harrell is averaging career highs in points and rebounds at 18.8 points & 7.1 rebounds per game, while shooting 57% from the field. I’m also looking at a player in Dennis Schroder who is having a career year off the bench for an over-achieving-scrappy team in Oklahoma City. At this point of the season, Dennis Schroder is my Sixth Man of the Year. He leads the NBA in points off the bench and is a huge reason as to why I believe the Oklahoma City Thunder will be in the playoffs when nobody including myself thought that they would even be in playoff contention. Who saw this out of Schroder? By the end of the year, I do expect this award to go to one of the Clippers duos off the bench.

Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (LA Lakers)

Runners-up: Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz), Giannis Antetokounmpo, (Milwaukee Bucks), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers)

It’s no secret that the Lakers have made a concerted effort to make Anthony Davis the offensive focal point, however, he has focused more on being the defensive anchor. Due to his versatility on defense with his shot-blocking ability and ability to guard multiple positions on the perimeter, Anthony Davis defense has been contagious as he has inspired his teammates to bring the same effort which the Lakers currently ranks in the top 10 in total defense. Not only has Davis become the Lakers’ most dependable rim protector and physical defender. Anthony Davis is averaging 26.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks per game, and is top three in defensive field goal percentage. Although, it is a close race, Anthony Davis is my “mid-season” award winner and my favorite to win Defensive Player of the Year.

Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)

Runners-up: Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans) Kendrick Nunn (Miami Heat)

There’s no debate that Ja Morant deserves this award right now. The leadership and the swagger that Ja Morant has brought to Memphis, makes them one of the more exciting young teams to watch. Zion Williamson is not the only “box office” rookie, as Ja Morant is also “must see” TV, with his leaping ability, his fearless competitive nature, his elite finishing ability even with his small frame, and is a very gifted passer. He is averaging 17.6 points & 7.1 assists per game, while shooting 49% from the field. His most impressive feat so far this season, is how he has his team currently in the 8th seed in the West which nobody predicted and he’s doing this as a rookie! When you watch Ja Morant play, you can easily see that he will be a special player in the NBA.

Most Improved Player: Bam Adebayo (Miami Heat)

Runners-up: Devonte' Graham (Charlotte Hornets), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder), Brandon Ingram (New Orleans Pelicans)

This is always one of the more difficult awards because you have to take into effect whether player’s increased production is a matter of increased opportunity or genuine improvement. In this case, with Hassan Whiteside out of his way and also making massive strides in his game, Adebayo is my mid-season Most Improved Player and my favorite to win the award. Bam Adebayo scoring has increased from 8.9 points per game to a 15.8 points per game while being on a top four team in the East. The rest of Adebayo numbers includes him averaging 10.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 1.2 steals & 1.2 blocks per game while having a huge increase in minutes at 34.5 per game. Not only has he broken out on the offensive end but also on the defensive end, as he has been demonstrating his versatility with him being able to guard multiple positions while being an effective rim. Adebayo has fit in seamlessly in Miami system & culture and he has been incredible all year long for Miami which has resulted with him being an All-Star for the first time in his young career.