With the NBA declaring the consideration for the 2019-20 Awards ended on March 9th, the Nexus staff makes their prediction on who will win the hardware for each respective award.
Each pick is based on ONLY the play between October 7th through March 9th.
The staff for Nexus includes Jackson McCarty and Chris Spahr (Tank Observers), Logan Winser and Wyatt Wells (Small Talk Sports), Landon Potvin and Cameron Champagne (Beyond the Buzzer), and new writer Justin Margolius
Below is the full list of each writer’s pick, along with select explanations.
Follow us on Twitter to share your opinion with us or respond to our picks @nexussportsnet (individual writers Twitter's below).
Rookie of the Year
Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images
Logan Winser (@logan_winser): Zion Williamson, Pelicans
“NBA Twitter: But Logan, Zion has only played 19 games and is always hurt. No rookie has won it playing under 40 games. You’re such a Zion fanboy”
First of all, harsh. But I understand what you mean. Ja Morant had an exceptional year with the Memphis Grizzlies. He is THE point guard of the future in the NBA. But c’mon…. Did you see Zion play this year?
Per 36 minutes, Zion is averaging 29.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while making 58.3 percent of his twos and 41.9 percent of his threes (what…). He’s the third player in NBA history to have three or more 30 point games in their first 15 games. He is also the only teenager in NBA history to have 10+ consecutive games of at least 20 points. His current streak is 13 games in a row, 4 more than Carmelo in 2004. He holds the record for most consecutive games with 20 plus points in the paint.
On top of all the rookie records, he is just fun to watch. He already has more highlight moments than any rookie in the past decade and has brought the Pelicans back into the playoff race with a chance to knock out Ja Morant from the 8th seed.
Landon Potvin (@landopotty): Ja Morant, Grizzlies
Logan ... c'mon. That's all I'll say to you.
Ja Morant will win this award. Unanimously? That's a possibility. What Ja has done is brought his team to the playoffs, who'd a thought.
Zion is a robust argument to make. Zion is a fan attraction. The NBA uses him like parents sing the song on Christmas Eve to make you fall asleep. But unfortunately for him, he has only played 19 games this season, plus the games he plays in the bubble. Don't get me wrong the guy is outstanding, and I'm very excited to see him carry the league for the rest of his career.
Back to the point, it's the Rookie of the YEAR award. Year is the keyword if you couldn't tell. Ja played most of the year, averaging 18 points a game and a little low for what I predicted, but seven assists a game.
I am also excited about his future, as well. It reminds me of my favorite player of all time, and the biggest "what if he didn't get injured ever." Derrick Rose.
Wyatt Wells (@WyattCWells): Ja Morant, Grizzlies
While everyone knows why the Pelicans were chosen as the first game to debut after months away, this is still a rookie of the YEAR award. Morant has been consistent for over 60 games with the Grizzlies.
Yes, Logan, I see your stats, Zion does what he does and everyone expects him too, but we cannot ignore the gap of play. Zion’s 19 games are not close enough to catch up, not to mention this restart will not factor into the awards.
Ja explodes on the court to the surprise of many and at the mercy of none. Just ask Aron Baynes at 6-10 how it felt to get slammed on by a kid 13 years younger and 7 inches shorter. That's just the dunk he made! People forget Morant went OVER Anthony Davis just 4 months ago and nearly put the potential DPOY on a poster.
Either way, a kid from the Carolina’s will take home the hardware.
Nexus' Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant (57%)
Runner Up: Zion Williamson (43%)
6th Man of the Year
Photo by Bill Baptist/Getty Images
Jackson McCarty (@ItsJacksonTM): Dennis Schroder, Thunder
This might be the most clear-cut award this season. In simplest terms, Schroder has over performed and helped create a playoff team out of a roster prepared for the tank at the start of the season. He’s averaging a career-high in rebounds, field goal percentage and three-point percentage while leading OKC’s second unit. He’s been instrumental in helping the Thunder achieve the 5th seed and deserves this trophy more than anyone else in the league.
Chris Spahr (@ChirsSpahr5): Dennis Schroder, Thunder
Despite being the best, and my favorite, player in 2K17 he also put together an excellent season off the bench. He was exciting to watch and most layups lead to free throws. With a career-high 19 ppg and 3.7 boards, he played exquisite, along with 4.1 assists it hard to think of a reason he shouldn't get this award.
Wyatt Wells (@WyattCWells): Montrezl Harrell, Clippers
To avoid picking a guy here every one is already talking about I'll switch over to someone everyone else is talking about.
One of the top two betting favorites in Montrezl Harell. Now Harell shares a team with Lou Williams, another leader for the award, and already a 3x winner but many believe it was Montrezl that had the better season this time around. Harell averaged career highs in minutes, field goal, and free throw attempts per game this season and was one of nine people to finish more than 25% of his team’s possessions with a shot attempt, foul drawn, or turnover.
The offense with Harell also seems to gel better than with Williams, while still having his big frame and 6-7 and being able to hold opponents shooting defensibly only about 51%. Just cause he's seen an increase in playing time however does not mean change over in hustle and work ethic. Harell currently ranks 5th in the number of shots contested and is tied with Kyle Lowry in most charges taken in the league.
Nexus' 6th Man of the Year: Dennis Schroder (57%)
Runner Up: Montrez Harrell (43%)
Most Improved Player
Photo by Jim Eichenhofer/Pelcians.com
Logan Winser (@logan_winser): Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
I remember when the Anthony Davis trade happened, Laker fans were ecstatic to get rid of the underperforming Brandon Ingram and got to keep the legend, Kyle Kuzma. What a difference a year makes.
NBA All-star Ingram and Zion have created one of the league's best 1-2 duos. Ingram went from 18ppg to almost 25ppg, going from shooting 33% to 39% from beyond the arc, and 67% from the free-throw line to 86%. All this while making the transition from Lebron’s shadow to being the Pelicans number one guy. It’s hard to find a player making such a big jump while being traded during his rookie deal.
Cameron Champagne: Brandon Ingram, Pelicans
When Brandon got traded from the Lakers the fans in LA were excited to get rid of an underperforming disappointing high draft pick in Ingram. But one season changed the minds of many.
Ingram went from not even in the All-Star conversation to making his first All-Star game this year. He went from being one of Lebron's sidekick to the number one guy in New Orleans. There are a lot of interesting picks for this award but I think Ingram is the most deserving for this one.
Landon Potvin (@landopotty): Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Brandon Ingram is a very intriguing pick and the whole team should win the award. Yes, even Jalil Okafor. But a whole team can not win the award. Bam Adebayo should win the award. On a team with one star and a bunch of actual role players, no sidekick players. Bam stepped up in an area where he has not really shined before. Scoring
Bam blossomed into a reliable second scoring option for the Heat, and a perfect sidekick to Jimmy buckets. Tyler Hero was quite spectacular also! But the light is on Bam right now. Bam's best trait is his sturdy defense, the Heat love to play zone and they do it well with Bam acting as the last line of defense.
He had one astonishing defensive possession against Giannis when they beat the bucks in march. That is when I knew. I knew the University of Kentucky can really produce.
Jackson McCarty (@ItsJacksonTM): Bam Adebayo, Heat
Many of my partners are firmly on the Brandon Ingram bandwagon. Personally, I think he was put in a position that we shouldn’t be giving him the trophy for his step-up in stats. The initial first option on the Pelicans, Zion Williamson, went down early with an injury, leaving a very clear and somewhat forced path to running the offense. And while he’s done a great job this season, I feel Bam Adebayo has done a better job of making himself more valuable to his team rather than his team making him more valuable.
Bam Adebayo has Jimmy Butler leading the team on offense. He’s hauling in 16.2 ppg on a team with 8 total people averaging 10 or more points every outing. He’s brought his rebounds per game up by three and has also improved his steal and block numbers. Adebayo’s play this season has not only made him a strong second option on a winning team, but also a potential defensive player of the year candidate. He has set himself up for success in the future, while it’s not completely out of the realm of possibility to expect a slight regression form BI when Zion is added to the court more consistently.
Nexus' Most Improved Player of the Year: Brandon Ingram (43%)
Runner Up: Bam Adebayo (29%)
Coach of the Year
Photo by Morry Gash/AP
Jackson McCarty (@ItsJacksonTM): Nick Nurse, Raptors
The Toronto Raptors entered the season facing life without Kawhi Leonard. Coach Nurse had to deal with many of his best players facing time with injuries, very rarely having his first-choice starting five at any moment in time. Just based off that, you would be inclined to assume that they’re out of the playoff race.
The Raptors currently sit at 46-18 and hold sole possession of the East’s second seed.
There is simply no way anyone could deserve this award more than Nick Nurse does. He’s rallied the troops to far exceed any reasonable expectations and has provided optimism that Kawhi isn’t the only way they can win championships. There are many great coaches in the league, but few if any could work magic on this roster as Nurse has.
Justin Margolius (@JustinMargolius): Billy Donovan, Thunder
Billy Donovan in my opinion, did the best job out of any coach, with the least amount of talent. The main argument towards my opinion is, “well Justin, Nick Nurse took a team that lost it’s the best player to a top 2 seed”. Well, guess what? Billy Donovan took a lottery team safely into the playoffs, in an astronomically harder western conference.
Yes, next year the East will be better with Kevin Durant, but it’s not next year. Billy Donovan revitalized an injury-prone Chris Paul, Doubled Shai Gilgous-Alexander’s talent trajectory, and made a problematic Dennis Schroder, (Yes the guy who punched Demarcus Cousins and decided not to show up after the All-Star break with the Hawks),to a 6th man of the year candidate. Literally, 8 months ago we were talking about the Thunder getting the number 1 pick.
People don’t think about the fact that the Raptors have one of the deepest teams in the league without Kawhi Leonard. The Thunder have literally been forced to start Luguentz Dort and Terrence Ferguson at SF all season. Even good NBA fans don’t know who those 2 players are.
Billy Donovan in my opinion took himself completely from a year that he would get fired, to a year where he might be a top 8 paid coach.
Chris Spahr (@ChirsSpahr5): Mike Budenholzer, Bucks
I don’t think it’s fair to take any credit away from his great season just because he has an MVP candidate. Budenholzer is a great coach who also has a great team, him capitalizing on his time with Giannis is only a stronger testament to his abilities. A record of 53-12 is a remarkable feat that not many coaches can get. He was on route for another 60 win season, rather extraordinary.
Nexus' Coach of the Year: Nick Nurse (57%)
Runner Up: Billy Donovan (14%), Mike Budenholzer (14%), Taylor Jenkins (14%)
Defensive Player of the Year
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Logan Winser (@logan_winser): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Only Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon have won Defensive Player of the year in 1 season, but only Hakeem has also been to the NBA finals in the same year. Giannis looks prime to join that elite club after leading the NBA with a defensive net rating of 96.5 (seven Bucks players are in the top 10).
No one gives more energy to a defensive possession like Giannis. Whether it’s his
chase-down blocks in transition, forcing a turnover, or being on top the opposition teams leading scorer. Every offensive position for opponents is to be as far away from Giannis as possible; and his presence is felt in the metrics. When Giannis is on the floor, the Bucks are in the top 99% percentile in points allowed per 100 possessions. When he’s not on the floor, they are in the 67% percentile.
Justin Margolius (@JustinMargolius): Anthony Davis, Lakers
This is honestly the easiest choice I’ve had to make. It’s simple, Anthony Davis averaged 2.5 blocks and almost 2 steals a game. The defensive win shares between Giannis and Anthony are extremely similar. I am a firm believer that it is easier for Giannis to defend on the Bucks because he happens to have 3 other players on with him that are top 20 defenders in the league.
The Lakers statistically this year only have one other teammate even close to the top 20 in defensive efficiency. My point is that Anthony Davis is asked to do way more every night defensively than Giannis Antetokounmpo is asked to do in a week's worth of games. Anthony Davis doesn’t have Khris Middleton to guard every team's best player, he doesn't have Eric Bledsoe to guard a team's primary ball-handler, and he without a doubt doesn't have Brook Lopez to rely on if he makes a mistake.
The best way to describe it is to imagine one person that has great insurance on his car, and the other doesn't have any insurance at all. Then imagine that the person with no insurance at all has the same year of success as the person with great insurance.
Chris Spahr (@ChirsSpahr5): Anthony Davis, Lakers
I find it hard to think about any player more deserving than the great AD. Many people might argue Giannis but it’s hard to argue with numbers. An average of 2.5 blocks and 1.5 steals per game is ridiculous and his ability to guard the best big men in the league. His defensive talents are insane.
Wyatt Wells (@WyattCWells): Patrick Beverly, Clippers
Y'all remember when Pat Bev stuffed Lebron's game-winner in a Battle for LA game? Me too
Nexus' Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (43%)
Runner Up: Giannis Antetokounmpo (28%)
Most Valuable Player
Photo by Kurt Helin/NBCsports
Wyatt Wells (@WyattCWells): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
If this restart was a factor into the awards I probably would’ve gone with Lebron James. But since this only factors in the season before the shutdown, Giannis is the easy answer. Giannis led his team to the best record in the NBA and actually had a better ppg total than James (29.6 vs 25.7).
He’s improved on his shooting and rebounding totals even after winning the MVP last season. While I could go on I’ll just let our Bucks expert Logan take over and hammer it home with the stats down below 👇🏻
Logan Winser (@logan_winser): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Every year, fans try to make the MVP conversation a 2-3 man race for the sake of argument. This is not one of those years. Give credit to Lebron for leading his team at the age of 35. I also understand there is such a thing as voter fatigue, hence why Westbrook hasn’t been close to winning an MVP since 2017 even though his numbers keep getting better. However, Giannis is the clear cut favorite.
Giannis leads the league in points in the paint, field goals made while shooing a stupid efficient 55% from the field (best in top 25 scorers), 3rd in rebounds, 3rd in points, averages at least a block and steal per game, 6 assists per game; and did I mention he is doing this while playing less than 31 minutes per game? His per 100 possession stats are recording-breaking because of that. And on top of all that, he’s shooting just as many spots of threes as Bradley Beal and has made more threes than Tobias Harris?
There isn’t a more complete player in the NBA than Giannis, or possibly in league history.
Justin Margolius (@JustinMargolius): Lebron James, Lakers
This is a P.S.A. to the NBA award voters. The voter fatigue has to stop. Just to get this argument out of the way quickly. LeBron James won 65% of his games against Playoff/MVP caliber teams this year. In his last meeting with Antetokounmpo, he scored a whopping 37 points, had 8 rebounds, and 8 assists. Against Giannis, he averaged 29 points, 10 rebounds, and 9.5 assists.
James also led the entire league in assists, by the way, averaging almost 11 a game. I was so ready to give this award to Antetokounmpo, but then the end of the season happened. I watched as Lebron made Giannis and Kawhi Leonard look as if they were boys trying desperately to beat their dad in a 1 on 1. And I honestly saw James elevating the Lakers to a team that would beat any contender from the East, in 6 games.
To me the gap began to grow as the most important moments came to the forefront. Those moments are something that Giannis has yet to achieve. To me, an MVP is a player that makes his team the best by the end of the season.
The funny thing is everyone is talking about the Lakers as the favorites even though the Bucks have the best record. If Giannis wins and gets Finals MVP, I promise that I will be the first one to say he finally made it over that hump to Lebron's level. Until then, LeBron James is the MVP.
Jackson McCarty (@ItsJacksonTM): Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Hear me out. I know he’s not beating LeBron or Giannis. But I think he has a strong case in the argument.
Luka has been dropping jaws all season. His 28.7 ppg seems insane when you consider his age. He’s .7 rebounds per game and 1.3 assists per game shy of averaging a triple-double. He’s also orchestrating the league's best offense, with the Mavericks holding a 115.8 offensive rating, good for over two points clear of second place.
I feel like Luka would have a real shot of winning the award if they counted the bubble games. The Mavericks are in a great position to move up two spots in the standings, which would land them at the 5th seed.
Unfortunately for Cool Hand Luka, it seems that his team’s 7th place finish pre-COVID will hinder his chances to bring home the MVP as a second-year player. But no one should be discounting how close he really came to becoming a front-runner.
Nexus' Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo (43%)
Runner Up: Lebron James (43%)
Unless otherwise noted, stats courtesy of NBA.com, Basketball Reference, or Cleaning the Glass. Logan Winser writes for the Nexus Sports Network. Follow him on Twitter (@logan_winser) and listen to his Small Talk Sports podcast, co-hosted by Wyatt Wells
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