NBA awards

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The NBA announced today that Chicago Bulls guard Coby White was named to the 2019-20 All-Rookie Second Team. White is the 23rd Bulls rookie to make an All-Rookie Team (most recently Lauri Markkanen in 2017-18).

The seventh-overall selection in the 2019 NBA Draft, he had a strong finish to his first NBA season, being named the Kia NBA Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month for games played in February and earning a starting spot in what would be Chicago's final game of the season on March 10 vs. Cleveland. White averaged 13.2 points (6th among rookies with same qualifiers), 3.5 rebounds (T-12th) and 2.7 assists (4th) over 65 games, and he shot .394 from the field (10th), .354 from three (7th) and .791 from the free throw line (2nd). His 133 3-pointers made are the fourth-most by a rookie in Bulls history, and his 3-point percentage ranks seventh. White scored in double figures 41 times, the sixth-highest mark among rookies.

White was one of three rookies to make a season-high seven 3-pointers in a single game this season, and the only one to do so two times. He posted a career-high 35 points on Feb. 25 against Oklahoma City, which is tied for the third-highest scoring output by a rookie this season. It was also White's third straight game with 30-plus points, a feat which only one other rookie since 2000-01 has accomplished (Atlanta's Trae Young). His three consecutive 30-point outings (33 on Feb. 22 vs. Phoenix, 33 on Feb. 23 vs. Washington and 35 on Feb. 25 vs. Oklahoma City) came off the bench, making him the only rookie reserve in league history to record such a streak, since the NBA began tracking starters in 1970-71 (Elias Sports Bureau). He is just the fourth reserve in league history to score at least 30 points in three consecutive contests. White's three 30-point games on the season are tied for the most among rookies, and he is the fourth player in Bulls history with at least three such performances in a debut campaign, joining Hall of Famer Michael Jordan (33 times), Elton Brand (six) and Ben Gordon (four).

Across nine February contests, White led all Eastern Conference rookies in scoring with 20.1 points. He also ranked first in field goals (6.8) and 3-point field goals (3.3) made per game among East rookies while averaging 4.0 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.00 steals. Prior to White, the only Chicago first-year player in team history to hold averages of at least 20.0 points, 4.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.00 steals over a single calendar month was Jordan, who accomplished this in six different months during his rookie campaign of 1984-85 (Elias Sports Bureau).

A native of Goldsboro, North Carolina, White closed out February with 22 points off the bench on Feb. 29 at New York, his fourth straight 20-point performance, joining Zion Williamson as the only rookies to score 20-or-more points in at least four straight appearances this season. The last Bulls rookie to record such a streak of at least four games was Brand (four) from March 22-29, 2000. In addition, White became the first Chicago player to put up at least 20 points in four consecutive outings in a reserve role since Gordon (six) from Jan. 16-Feb. 4, 2008.

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Coby White named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team

The 2017-18 NBA season begins Tuesday with yet another wonderful opening night schedule. It’s a long season, to be sure, and longer now with the early mid-October start to allow players lengthier midseason rest periods for commercial shoots and various “branding” opportunities. Baseball and football still can’t figure out this kind of prime viewer premiers. The NHL? Hey, did you know they had a hockey team in Columbus, Ohio? Anyway, it’s just a great opening night for a season that really begins to matter in six months. Curtain, please, orchestra. Trumpets, trombone, drums. Hit it!

First, the Boston Celtics with Kyrie Irving start in Cleveland, about which Kyrie already has said some unpleasant things. Not that Kyrie is inaccurate or hinted whether he’d consulted with Joakim Noah. But people take these things personally. Irving was a big, big part of that rare Cleveland title a few years back. Will he be welcomed? It’s LeBron with old buddy Dwyane Wade and the guy who denied LeBron five straight MVP awards, Derrick Rose, against the team that may/could/should dethrone?

And then onto the nightcap with the Golden State Warriors, basically expected to go 83-0 as they may be awarded an extra win because of the presumed dominance. And if they think they can shoot a lot of threes, it’s you ain’t seen nothing yet with the Houston Rockets. Who now have perennial All-Star, playoff victim and State Farm thespian Chris Paul to join James Harden. Yes, I’ll see you a 30 footer and raise you a 35 footer. Jump ball!

It’s a night of stars Tuesday, and that’s what the NBA is about. Let the stars some out and light up the night.

So who are the best and the brightest lights of the NBA?

Who’s going to be the most acclaimed individuals?

David Halberstam in his acclaimed The Best and the Brightest book on Vietnam employed the title ironically, those best and brightest routinely erring despite their superb credentials. It occurs everywhere, the consequence of expectations. When they are exceeded, the awards generally follow. When they aren’t met, condemnation can follow. They are both among the great American pastimes.

For a refresher, last season’s NBA Most Valuable Player was a bit of a surprise with Russell Westbrook coming fast and achieving that historic regular season triple double after the departure of Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder. The MVP winner usually is a rough compendium of the best player on the best team or close. Westbrook was somewhat of an NBA exception as the Thunder finished sixth. But his individual achievement was extraordinary enough to transcend the usual informal guidelines. James Harden was runnerup for the second time in three years.

Milwaukee second rounder Malcolm Brogdon was a surprise Rookie of the Year ahead of the 76ers’ Dario Saric and Joel Embiid, the latter the big favorite until missing more than half the season. How you can still be top three playing so little suggests the unpredictability and personal bias of the awards.

Draymond Green was Defensive Player of the Year ahead of Rudy Gobert and Kawhi Leonard. Eric Gordon was Sixth Man ahead of Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams. Giannis Antetokounmpo was Most Improved winner over Nikola Jokic and Gobert. The Most Improved seems to have to fewest guidelines. Antetokounmpo had emerged the previous season, averaging 17 points then. But going to All-Star status was understandable. The debate often is over should it be someone unexpected like a low first or second round pick. After all, a high pick who didn’t play much is expected to improve.

Coach of the Year was Mike D’Antoni over Gregg Popovich and Erik Spoelstra. The joke among coaches always had been to avoid the award since many winners were then soon fired. The reason was since coaching is so difficult for voting media to figure out, they vote for the coach whose team they underestimated. But then when the team falters because it really was better than imagined, the coach suffers. Popovich is a good choice any year, if only for the interviews.

So as we prepare for the 2017-18 season, here’s a guess about who may be the best. It’s difficult to add that it comes from the brightest.

Most Valuable Player: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

James hasn’t won one since 2013. Everyone routinely says he’s the best player (on the planet, of course, as we Americans of exceptional personal bias insist). And then they find someone else to select, like the last four years Westbrook, Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry twice. Then everyone 10 years from now will look back, like they did with Michael Jordan, and wonder how James didn’t win every season. Though there is that understandable tendency to spread around kudos. There are many bests. James is going to have to do a lot this season even though the Cavs seem deeper with Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade. There’s the loss of Kyrie Irving, who ran things when James rested, and Wade and Rose are not those guys anymore, especially Wade. Plus, those two change the Cavs’ dynamic with limited long distance shooting. The Cavs look like the best in the East even with excitement about Boston’s acquisitions of Irving and Gordon Hayward. It stil will be up to James. Probably Durant as runner up since he’s become the most important figure with the 2018 champion Warriors. Maybe Leonard again to follow.

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors

Like with Phil Jackson and Pat Riley, their teams tend to be so good they got overlooked often for coaching excellence awards since voters prefer the team they missed understanding. Yeah, must have been coaching. Understandably, Kerr has been on and off the sidelines with medical issues. But his is the hand that guides this great team. It’s subtly misunderstood how much Kerr took from a combination of playing for Jackson and Popovich and their ways with players and making every season an adventure and then expanded on that with his own unique ideas, welcoming personality and belief in defense. There’s a real gift to carrying a great team through multiple seasons and Kerr is joining the group of best ever at that. It’s always safe to include Popovich. Boston’s Brad Stevens will get support with so many new players, though they are better than the ones he had. I’ve liked Washington’s Scott Brooks and that team could surprise given John Wall’s consistency. And, of course, Tom Thibodeau with the Timberwolves and his equally large new batch of players that include Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson and Jamal Crawford. One outsider who could make a run is Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, whose team underachieved last season, and then reaching its level makes it, again, look like coaching. Losing Nicholas Batum early to injury will hurt. Hey, if he can coach Dwight Howard.

Most Improved Player: Justin Holiday, Chicago Bulls

Hey, let them win something. He is the kind of guy I most like for this award, someone undrafted who worked his way up through playing overseas, the G-league, off the benches without guaranteed deals to take advantage of a situation, which could be with the Bulls. He’s never averaged more than 7.7 points for a season. With Zach LaVine recovering from ACL surgery, Holiday could be in position to be a main offensive threat for a developing Bulls team that could surprise, at least with their open style of play. This one, of course, is a lottery like, big time guessing game in who can get noticeably better. Among those I like include Jamal Murray of the Nuggets, though he was a high draft pick, Aaron Gordon of the Magic, Marcus Smart with the changes in Boston, Norman Powell in Toronto, the Spurs Dejounte Murray and the Knicks Willy Hernangomez.

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors

This pretty much goes to Green or Kawhi Leonard in this era with Rudy Gobert raising his hand and yelling, “Me, me!” Patrick Beverley will get some notice and some for Anthony Davis. Tony Allen used to and you can make a case for Avery Bradley. Maybe now Marcus Smart with Bradley and Jae Crowder gone from Boston. Jimmy Butler is going to be asked to defend a lot, and his willingness to do so and give up more offensive responsibility may be the most important element of a Minnesota revival. Leonard and Green are the best in pure defensive terms, Leonard being able to do so on the perimeter and Green more inside despite the height differential. Green is more like Dennis Rodman in his ability to get under and take leverage from big men and get an important rebound. Leonard is more the classic Jordan/Pippen perimeter defender to get on your hot guy and basically get him to give up the ball. I’d say Green this season for his second straight after two in a row for Leonard and then back to Leonard next season. Unless one of these athletic young guys like the Bulls’ Kris Dunn or Boston’s Jaylen Brown emerges. They’ll have the ability if not the credentials. It probably will be quicker for the guys on the better teams as they get noticed in the playoffs.

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers

Part of the difficulty at this time is figuring out who is sixth man. Maybe Dwyane Wade in a few months, but J.R. Smith for now. Jamal Crawford is a regular, but with all those guys now in Minnesota is he still sixth? Of course, it was difficult to tell in Houston and Eric Gordon won the vote. Andre Iguodala always gets close and overlooked; he was worthy and skipped over, but now it’s probably too late. Perhaps Rudy Gay. But he’ll probably start. Manu? Also too late. Again, Norman Powell is hot with Toronto, but maybe he will start. Patrick Patterson was brought in for that role in Oklahoma City, but he comes into the season after surgery. Eric Gordon again? Ryan Anderson? Houston’s dynamic could change. Though it’s unfair with all the bad threes they can shoot. Plenty of candidates: Jordan Clarkson, various Zellers, various Johnsons in Miami, Terence Ross, Greg Monroe. With Chris Paul gone from the Clippers, the ball finally will be flying around and Lou, who won with the Raptors, should get more than his share.

Rookie of the Year: Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz

He’d be less of a surprise than Brogdon was this season. I liked him in the draft and there could be opportunity with the Jazz having lost much of their scoring with Gordon Hayward and George Hill. Everyone seems to want someone from the 76ers with Ben Simmons returning. But he and Markelle Fultz may divide votes, and Simmons probably won’t score as much. As long as Joel Embiid is around, he’ll also get the most notice. Dallas’ Dennis Smith Jr. is going to get a lot of opportunity and I can see him as favorite. It’s a potentially terrific rookie class with any among Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, De’Aaron Fox and even Lauri Markkanen capable of emerging. I’m also intrigued with Portland’s Zach Collins. Oh, yes, MVP candidate and Hall of Famer Lonzo Ball. He’s the other most popular favorite, though so far teammate Kyle Kuzma has been the Lakers’ best rookie. Though Ball has been hurt. Ball isn’t that likely a scorer, at least yet.

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Sam Smith's 2017-18 NBA Awards Predictions

Sam Smith

How come the NBA didn’t think of this before? Making money with an awards show. Americans love seeing dressed up people get prizes and say silly stuff. So, the NBA is going to announce the regular season Most Valuable Player after it awards the Finals MVP. At least it will come before the all-Summer League team is announced.

Are we on the way to 365 days of NBA? Can anything be sweeter?

And so it begins with the NBA’s first annual awards show, the Hoops Oscar ESPYs, June 26 in New York. But to stretch it out just a bit, the NBA Thursday will reveal it’s three all-NBA teams. Friday, it will reveal the top three for each award category. Which then will enable players to say they were a three-time Sixth Man nominee. Wonder how much the contract bonus is for that? Could Saturday bring best Coaches Behind the Bench?

I don’t plan to minimize the excitement for that June night, but here’s the picks I would make.

First Team: Russell Westbrook, James Harden, LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Anthony Davis. This one is pretty easy since it���s essentially the MVP ballot. Except for Davis, and that’s a bit of a stretch since he often plays forward. But there are too many good forwards and not enough worthy centers. What takes the luster off this some is that in the playoffs Harden didn’t always look like a first teamer. But this is for the regular season and with the Rockets blast off and Harden’s dominance, he’ll be one/two on virtually all the MVP ballots. It’s the unfortunate part about changing the date. Of course, the NBA used to spread the awards out during the playoffs. Until Dirk Nowitzki was out of the playoffs before his MVP was announced and there were motivational serieses, like Hakeem Olajuwon outplaying MVP David Robinson. But you really can’t blame the NBA if they can get another big money TV show out of it. Maybe the guys can wear their team sponsor patches on their suits.

Second Team: Stephen Curry, Isaiah Thomas, Kevin Durant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Karl-Anthony Towns. Towns might be the surprise given his team was far out of the playoffs again. But there’s probably not another true center in the league you’d rather have. Not that he is, also, the way he shoots threes. And how about Curry going from two-time MVP to second team? With a good season. The West was fun, if not super competitive.

Third Team: Damian Lillard, John Wall, Draymond Green, Jimmy Butler, Hassan Whiteside. We know the NBA has become a guards’ league. No top player gets left off award teams more than Lillard. So give him a break. The guy averages almost 30 points and how many guys are you guarding on that team? It was between he and Kyrie Irving to me for that last spot after Wall. You could go either one given Irving’s role as LeBron sidekick. One omission is Chris Paul, and not just because of another playoff meltdown. That doesn’t count in this. But Paul missed a quarter of the season. Durant did, too? Yes, but he’s better. DeMar DeRozan, too. Lots of really good guards. I like Whiteside at center for being there with that great, late Miami run.

Butler gets in over Paul George, in part, being the better teammate since the Pacers told George they needed him to be a stretch four this season. He told them to stretch that and he was playing small forward and wherever he wanted.

I’ve always thought Rudy Gobert’s effect is exaggerated because they play so slowly. Perhaps Marc Gasol? You could make a case for the way Denver’s Nikola Jokic came on, though he didn’t become a regular starter in the middle of December. And then just 36 triple doubles behind Westbrook, Jokic had six; which was impressive.

Most Valuable Player: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Runners up:  James Harden (Houston Rockets), LeBron James (Cleveland Cavs), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Isaiah Thomas (Boston Celtics)

You could really make a case for any of the top four to win. It was a great season for individual play. Westbrook’s team wasn’t top four in its conference and was out in the first round of the playoffs, which doesn’t usually constitute a league MVP. Losing Durant and trading Serge Ibaka left him last man standing. And it really wasn’t the record for triple doubles and being the first since Oscar Robertson to average a triple double. Sure, Westbrook took a lot of shots and maybe more wild ones than anyone. And each of those top five guys was so valuable to his team that each could miss the playoffs without them. But to me it was a combination of Westbrook’s incredible urgency, his never-give-up play and so many game winning or closing shots and the way he so often brought his team back. It was an incredible season and probably the best individual show in the game. Thomas gets fifth, barely ahead of Wall because it’s still hard to believe this 5-7 guy has been able to score like that on a team without many scorers, and especially down the stretch. And they did get the No. 1 seed. Inspirational season.

Rookie of the Year: Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks

Runners up: Dario Saric (Philadelphia 76ers), Jamal Murray (Denver Nuggets)

It wasn’t a great season for rookies once Joel Embiid went out for the season after playing 31 games. He was easily on the way to unanimous Rookie of the Year. Some will still vote for him given his impact in that period, but you can’t be at work less than half the time and win an award for it. Brogdon was a great pick by the Bucks and became a starter for a playoff team out of the second round. Also led all rookies in assists and third in scoring. And you had to love the way he had the Bucks make a charity donation instead of mailing out those door prizes to voters, which teams hate to do. But they fear their player will accuse them of disrespecting them if another team does it.

Runners up: Lou Williams (Houston Rockets), James Johnson (Miami Heat)

I was thinking of listing Montrezl Harrell third. Nah, but it’s a Rockets’ award this season with Gordon and Williams probably the two most deserving. Gordon has the edge for being with the better team longer. Andre Iguodala plays an important role, though he’s fallen off some. Similarly, Enes Kanter lost playing time for lack of defense and failing to fight off the chair. The Spurs don’t get many awards, but they pick up deserving guys like Patty Mills and Cory Joseph now in Toronto. I like Zach Randolph for the way he so unselfishly accepted the role. But I break the tie with former Bull No. 1 draft pick Johnson, who transformed himself and his game with his fifth team, Toronto twice.

Coach of the Year: Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets

Runners up: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs), Brad Stevens (Boston Celtics)

Yes, you can vote Popovich most every season and be correct. Perhaps this season more than most, which is more evident now in the playoffs. Sorry, no playoff peeking on these votes. Popovich is the coaching chameleon the way he’s changed from the power post coach to the fast shooting game coach to now the Kawhi game. And getting 60-some wins yet again while still resting guys who aren’t tired. Stevens, too. After all, how did that team finish first in the East? I know Erik Spoelstra was a popular choice for their amazing midseason run. But, c’mon. Got to at least be eighth in the East. Who coached them the first half? D’Antoni’s system works. Well, you could use a near MVP point guard. Though he almost did that for Jeremy Lin. No team was more of a surprise and more committed to a different style of play. Yes, management did great job adding the right pieces, and Gordon stayed healthy for a rare change. But coaching was the difference. It often isn’t.

Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Runners up: Isaiah Thomas(Boston Celtics), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

This usually is the most varied award because of the differing definitions. I generally prefer the guy who wasn’t expected to do much, a lower draft pick. It’s been a high draft pick who gets more playing time, like Kevin Love, Paul George and Tracy McGrady. The 2015 winner Jimmy Butler was the ideal, in many respects, going from a 30th pick to All-Star. Antetokounmpo was a mid first round pick and a risky choice who, impressively, transitioned into the guy-to-start-your-team-with category.  He was good before, averaging 17 points in 2016. And then he took the big jump. That’s another conundrum, whether you vote for someone who already is All-Star level. Similarly with Thomas. He averaged 22 points in 2015-16. But then to go to one of the top three scorers and the guy to lead the league in fourth quarter scoring is award worthy. Jokic is a classic choice, as well, a second round pick who improved to all-NBA consideration. Second runner up isn’t bad in this beauty contest. Fortunately we don’t have to see them in swim suits. If there was Most Improved for just the last month, then it would have been Rondo.

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Sam Smith's 2016-17 NBA Awards Predictions

NEW YORK, May 26, 2016 – The Chicago Bulls were presented yesterday with the inaugural NBA Team Digital Content Award by the National Basketball Association (NBA) at the league’s Sponsorship, Marketing and Digital Workshop in Austin, Texas.

The award celebrates outstanding team-produced content.  The league invited each team to submit its best digital content from the 2015-16 season, and team executives voted for the top program.

The Bulls won for their innovative content series with longtime partner BMO Harris Bank, which utilized stop-motion animation and the expertise of local stop-motion artist and filmmaker Travis Brooks. The team targeted Vine and Facebook as effective platforms for the content series, which featured 10 creative, non-game-action pieces of content which were integrated into the Bulls’ 50th Season Celebration.  Featuring the team’s mascot, dancers, fans, logo and various behind-the-scenes shots of the United Center, the campaign provided an entertaining glimpse into the rarely seen side of the organization.

"The Bulls created an innovative campaign that truly captured the spirit of the team beyond the court," said Amy Brooks, NBA Executive Vice President, Team Marketing &amp; Business Operations.  "The team developed entertaining content using Benny the Bull and others that inspired people to watch their short form content over and over on social media."

The fan response on social media was overwhelming.  The 10 videos posted on Vine received more than 2.6 million loops, and the seven videos posted to Facebook combined for over 4 million views.

"This innovative Vine series is a great example of how a team can work with a partner to develop creative and engaging content," said Susan Goodenow, Chicago Bulls Vice President of Branding &amp; Communications.  "This content was tailored specifically for digital, seamlessly integrated a partner - BMO Harris Bank - and was made locally with a Chicago-based filmmaker.  These factors, along with a rigorous attention to detail during the production of each Vine, came together to create an incredibly successful campaign that engaged our fans."

"Since becoming the official bank of the Chicago Bulls in 2007, BMO Harris Bank has always been proud of our partnership," said Justine Fedak, BMO Harris Bank Senior Vice President and Head of Brand, Advertising and Sponsorships.  "This award recognizes the fun and exclusive content that the Bulls create to better engage their fans around the world using new forms of media and message delivery. We congratulate the Bulls on being ‘Best in Class’ among their NBA peers."

#1 – Opening Night – "The Introduction"

Fans join in to help introduce the #BMOVineaBulls series

You’ve never seen someone put on a t-shirt quite like this before.

#6 – Valentine’s Day "Happy Valentine’s Day"

The Luvabulls give Bulls fans a never-ending box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day

The 90s night pinstriped throwbacks have some interesting side effects on Benny the Bull

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Chicago Bulls receive first-ever NBA Team Digital Content of the Year Award

The National Basketball Association announced today that Chicago Bulls guard/forward Jimmy Butler was selected to the 2015-16 NBA All-Defensive Second Team. For Butler, the distinction marks the third straight season that he has earned All-Defensive Second Team honors.  On the year, Butler recorded 110 steals in 67 games (1.64 spg, 18th in the NBA). The feat marked Butler’s third straight season with 100 or more steals in a season. As a result, he joined Norm Van Lier (five straight seasons), Wilbur Holland (three straight seasons), Michael Jordan (two such streaks: seven straight seasons and three straight seasons) and Scottie Pippen (nine straight seasons) as the only players in franchise history to register 100 or more steals in three consecutive seasons. From March 28, 2015 to Jan. 11, 2016, Butler recorded at least one steal in a career-high 44 straight games (prev. 27); it is the second-longest streak by a Bull in the last 30 seasons. Butler, who garnered 18 First Team votes and an overall total of 62 points, was joined on the All-Defensive Second Team by forwards Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks (97 points, 11 First Team votes) and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (48 points, five First Team votes), center Hassan Whiteside of the Miami Heat (126 points, 44 First Team votes) and guard Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (121 points, 44 First Team votes). The NBA All-Defensive First Team features forwards Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs (260 points, 130 First Team Votes) and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (251 points, 123 First Team votes), center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers (137 points, 47 First Team votes) and guards Avery Bradley of the Boston Celtics (149 points, 62 First Team votes) and Chris Paul of the Clippers (148 points, 59 First Team votes). Players were awarded two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. Voters were asked to select two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly. Players who received votes at multiple positions were slotted at the position where they received the most votes.

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Jimmy Butler named NBA All-Defensive Second Team

Unlike Hollywood’s Academy Awards, we here in the NBA celebrate the rainbow of humanity. All races, creeds and colors are eligible for the annual awards. So here are the winners. On one ballot, anyway.

Most Valuable Player: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

Really, is there a debate? Not only has Curry became the face of the NBA still in the time of LeBron and his Warriors—and they are his—staking a claim to greatest of all time, but his story is one of the most amazing in NBA annals, from even unable to get a scholarship at his pro playing dad’s alma mater to being the fifth guard picked in his draft and almost traded instead of Monta Ellis to a player many regard as the best ever at what he does. And he looks like those of us who can’t play. Great story, great guy, great team, deserving back-to-back MVP.

I have LeBron second, though I suspect Kawhi Leonard gets some local votes for the Spurs’ great season, and probably LeBron one as well. LeBron still impacts the game like few others and even if he’s not quite the overwhelming force he was, he’s still a dominant figure impacting his games. I go Chris Paul third for his play in holding the Clippers together without Blake Griffin and still a clutch shot maker. As for the playoffs, that’s yet to be finalized. Then Leonard fourth for his surprising development as an MVP candidate and Portland’s Damian Lillard fifth, if only so he’ll feel better about not being an All-Star. He has been terrific in leading the big surprise Trailblazers.

Coach of the Year: Terry Stotts, Portland Trailblazers

Yes, the surprise Trailblazers and, not that it is figured in, but one of the truly wonderful people in the NBA. Stotts long apprenticed under George Karl and later Rick Carlisle, had a top man stint with the Bucks, and his knowledge, experience and maturity has helped the Trailblazers into the playoffs when no one expected it after they lost 80 percent of their starters from what was supposed to be a contending team. It’s the best coaching story, and there are many. Usually overlooked as he prefers, but the Spurs have had the most anonymous great season because of the Warriors phenomenon. Gregg Popovich is always worthy, but I like to spread it around and he’s won some. I’ll go with Boston’s Brad Stevens second and Toronto’s Dwane Casey third. I could make cases for Charlotte’s Steve Clifford, though I think that’s more the Nicholas Batum acquisition and Kemba Walker’s improvement. Also GM Stan Van Gundy has done a lot to help excellent coach Stan Van Gundy. Stevens, who as a college guy wasn’t very good or respected around the NBA his first season, has come on to lead a disparate group into strong playoff position. Casey seemed to be teetering on keeping the job in recent years. He’s led his guard oriented group without the usual analytical three-ball to be a tough, relentless group. I was stumped on Steve Kerr. I voted for Steve Kerr last year and he should have gotten it. He’s still one of the best coaches, but between missing half of the season ill and a slight improvement, albeit to a record season, it’s confusing to make the choice. My hesitation is his teams can only get worse after this and he’s not winning that way. Though he should. He’s the best young coach in the league.

Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

This one could or should be unanimous as well. It’s something of playing in obscurity with a losing team in the Western Conference that was pushing for a 20-win season until recently. Towns is the rare rookie who is polished, solid with fundamentals, works hard and seems team oriented. He’s already one of the best centers in the NBA and ready to help his team take a big jump. Though he slowed late, the Knicks’ Kristaps Porzingis has been the surprise of the draft class elite. It was supposed to be a three-player draft, but he’s shown excellent skills and maturity to handle New York with aplomb. How did Kentucky ever lose? The Suns’ Devin Booker came on late and has become the Suns’ franchise player moving forward even in a guard-heavy environment.

This guy basically defied classification. I can make a case for him being a top five MVP, but his teammate is No. 1. He deserves something because he’s perhaps as vital to the Warriors’ success. An amazing story as a second round draft pick in the Dennis Rodman role of most overlooked ever in the era when scouts say they don’t miss anyone. He gets the nod over top perimeter defenders like Kawhi Leonard because he defends every position. Of course, the Spurs have other guys to do that more than the Warriors. But his versatility and relentless play are inspiring. I prefer this vote to be among the perimeter defenders as opposed to the centers and rim protectors. They are considered vital defenders in the NBA, obviously. And you can make a case for guys like Andre Drummond, DeAndre Jordan and Hassan Whiteside. But I prefer the lockdown guys, especially in this era of perimeter offensive play versus postup, power play. I go with Allen second as even aging he is still a smothering and bothersome individual defender and Leonard third, both just ahead of Boston’s Jae Crowder, a spirited defender as well. LeBron could get in there, but rests too much on defense on lesser scorers these days.

Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford, Los Angeles Clippers

This award, like the Most Improved, is usually most difficult to select given the wide range of candidates and varying definitions, though you’d think sixth man is fairly obvious. It’s generally a big scorer in the great Celtic tradition dating back to Frank Ramsey and John Havlicek. But some score in different ways, like the Thunder’s Enes Kanter. I do like to spread around awards unless someone is truly dominant, and though former Bull Crawford isn’t the biggest scorer he has the greatest impact for a top team, which reflects the award. Crawford came to the role reluctantly, as any young players does, but embraced it like Havlicek and has become the model for the original Celtics sixth man to provide an offensive spark and energy. I like Jeremy Lin second for the pivotal role he’s played for a much improved Charlotte team with timely shooting. I’ll admit I never believed he could maintain this level of play even during his Linsanity period in New York. Then the Nuggets Will Barton. He’s overlooked on a losing team, and you don’t usually reward players from losing teams. But he’s also a good Most Improved candidate as a second round pick and who come on to be a reliable sixth man shooter and a player who will have an evolving NBA market.

Most Improved Player: Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics.

He’s averaged 20 points before, though in Sacramento. Which I guess is tough playing with DeMarcus Cousins. But he’s been traded twice, was the last pick in in the second round and was supposed to be a reserve and has emerged as the go to closing scorer on a winning team. There are so many candidates for this award given the lack of criteria. I like to lean toward actual improvement instead of being given a chance to play. If you are a high pick and didn’t get a chance, the improvement should be natural. It’s always possible everyone misses, like on Draymond Green. But Thomas at maybe 5-7 just made it into the draft, was moved twice, though teams did want him. And now is a vital shot maker for the Celtics. Impressive development. C.J. McCollum fits that category of getting a chance with Portland’s roster turnover. He’s taken advantage in becoming one of the elite scorers in the league. He’s a worthy winner as well and a tough choice. He also shows being a four-year college player unless you are a super athlete gives you a better chance to have a better pro career. He was injured his first season and a backup to Damian Lillard and Wesley Matthews last year, so never got much chance. He’s showing now. There are many good choices still, like Barton, Hassan Whiteside, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson, Kawhi Leonard going from small star to big star, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Kemba Walker. I’ll go third with Walker. He’s elevated himself—and thus his team—by becoming a true scoring threat despite his size, the new NBA helping the small guy as well. He’s improved his shooting statistics and the Hornets have become a tough out as a result.

First Team: Stephen Curry, Chris Paul, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Andre Drummond

Second Team: Russell Westbrook, Damien Lillard, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, Karl-Anthony Towns

Third Team: James Harden. Klay Thompson, LaMarcus Aldridge, Draymond Green, DeMarcus Cousins

The question will be what to do about Cousins. Despite his impressive statistics, I’m reluctant to even put him third team, but there are so few productive centers anymore. I was tempted to give Tim Duncan a lifetime achievement vote. Cousins is a great talent; no argument. But he does so much contrary to the interests of the game and his team, and his team is a perennial loser. You can’t be an all-league player never even being on a .500 team. He is selfish in his shot selection, his temper leaves his teammates to be uncertain about approaching him and his attitude hurts everyone on the team. Towns has been a quiet revelation and I’d frankly rather have him than Cousins. I went with Paul to match my MVP list. Westbrook puts up great numbers, but without Durant last season he still wasn’t a playoff player. That’s just a part of it. He just does too much at the end of games to sometimes hurt team success. He’s a fabulous competitor, but loses what it is to be a guard at the end of games in his manic desire to succeed. I left off Anthony Davis not to deny him a big bonus as he needs to be an all-NBA player again to get one. But he sat out a quarter of the season and his team did poorly, though again plagued with injuries. I’m also reluctant to reward Harden the way he plays and the schism that he’s helped nurture there with Dwight Howard. But he does have an amazing ability to score.

First Team: Karl Anthony-Towns, Kristaps Porzingis, Justise Winslow, Devin Booker, Emmanuel Mudiay.

Second Team: Nikola Jokic, Frank Kaminsky, Stanley Johnson, DeAngelo Russell, Josh Richardson.

First Team: Andre Drummond, Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Allen, Jae Crowder.

Second Team:  DeAndre Jordan, Paul Millsap, Hassan Whiteside, Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson.

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Sam Smith's 2015-16 NBA Awards Predictions

May 21, 2015 - The Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ LeBron James headline the 2014-15 All-NBA First Team, the NBA announced today.  Curry, the 2014-15 Kia NBA MVP, and James received First Team votes on all 129 ballots. This marks the first All-NBA First Team selection for Curry and the ninth in 12 seasons for James, who tied Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson for the third most all time.

Joining Curry and James on the First Team are James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans and Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies. Harden, who garnered 125 First Team votes, makes his second straight appearance on the First Team. Davis (119 First Team votes) and Gasol (68 First Team votes) earned First Team honors for the first time.

The All-NBA Second Team consists of Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers, LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers, Pau Gasol of the Chicago Bulls and DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings.

The All-NBA Third Team is composed of the Warriors’ Klay Thompson, the Cavaliers’ Kyrie Irving, the Clippers’ Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan, and the San Antonio Spurs’ Tim Duncan.

The All-NBA Teams were chosen by a panel of sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The media voted for All-NBA First, Second and Third Teams by position with points awarded on a 5-3-1 basis. Voters were asked to select two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly.

Curry helped the Warriors win a franchise-record 67 games by averaging 23.8 points (sixth in the NBA), 7.7 assists (sixth), a career-high 2.04 steals (fourth) and 4.3 rebounds. He made 286 three-pointers, breaking his own NBA record of 272 set in 2012-13. Curry, the leading vote-getter in NBA All-Star Balloting 2015 presented by Sprint, shot 48.7 percent from the field, ranked fourth in the league in three-point field goal percentage (44.3) and led the NBA in free throw percentage (91.4).

James ranked third in the NBA in scoring (25.3 ppg) and seventh in assists (7.4 apg) as Cleveland finished with the second-best record (53-29) in the Eastern Conference. The Cavaliers were 50-19 in the 69 games James played and 3-10 in the 13 games he did not. The 11-time All-Star was one of only three players to tally 1,700 points, 500 assists, 400 rebounds and 100 steals, joining Harden and Westbrook.

Harden finished second in the NBA in scoring (27.4 ppg) and ninth in assists (7.0 apg) while leading the Rockets to 56 wins and the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference. He led the NBA in 40-point games (10) and 30-point games (35), and his four triple-doubles were the most by a Rocket since Hakeem Olajuwon posted four in 1989-90. Harden, who was named an All-Star for the third season in a row, also led the NBA in free throws made (715) and attempted (824), good for 86.8 percent.

Davis, according to NBA.com/Stats, led the NBA in Player Impact Estimate (PIE), which measures a player's overall statistical contribution against the total statistics in games he plays. He ranked first in the league in blocks (2.94 bpg), fourth in scoring (24.4 ppg), seventh in field goal percentage (53.5) and eighth in rebounding (10.2 rpg). Davis helped the Pelicans make the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

Gasol averaged a career-best 17.4 points to go with 7.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists for the 55-win Grizzlies. He scored 30-plus points five times after doing so just once in his first six seasons. He set career highs in field goals made and attempted, as well as free throws made and attempted. Gasol was named an All-Star for the second time, earning his first All-Star start.

pau-gasol-named-to-all-nba-second-team

Pau Gasol named to All-NBA Second Team

childukich

May 20, 2015 - San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard, the Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year, headlines the 2014-15 NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. He is one of three players to make his first All-Defensive First Team.

Leonard received 116 First Team votes and 242 points from a panel of 129 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. The NBA All-Defensive First Team also includes forward Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors (229 points, 107 First Team votes), guard Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (207 points, 88 First Team votes), center DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers (187 points, 84 First Team votes) and guard Chris Paul of the Clippers (170 points, 67 First Team votes).

Green and Jordan, who finished second and third, respectively, in the voting for the 2014-15 Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award, join Leonard as first-time selections on the All-NBA Defensive First Team. Paul made the First Team for the fourth straight season and fifth time overall, while Allen earned his third First Team nod.

Players were awarded two points for each First Team vote and one point for each Second Team vote. Voters were asked to select two guards, two forwards and one center for each team, choosing players at the position they play regularly.

The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of New Orleans Pelicans forward Anthony Davis (47 First Team votes), Chicago Bulls guard Jimmy Butler (44), Warriors center Andrew Bogut (33), Washington Wizards guard John Wall (7) and Spurs forward Tim Duncan (5).

Leonard teamed with Duncan to help San Antonio hold opponents below 100 points per game (97.0) for the 20th consecutive season. Leonard averaged career highs of 5.9 defensive rebounds and a league-leading 2.31 steals for the Spurs, who were 5.1 points better per 100 possessions on defense when he was on the floor than when he was off the floor, according to NBA.com/Stats.

Green and Allen also had significant impacts on the defensive performance of their teams. The Warriors allowed a league-low 98.2 points per 100 possessions, a defensive rating that dropped to 96.0 with Green on the court and increased to 102.1 with him off the court. Memphis’ defensive rating was 8.7 points better with Allen on the floor (94.9 per 100 possessions) than with him off the floor (103.6 per 100 possessions). Green ranked 14th in the NBA in defensive rebounding (6.7 per game), and Allen finished third in steals (2.05 per game).

Paul ranked second in the NBA in total steals (156) and fifth in steals per game (1.90). Jordan led the NBA in defensive rebounding (10.1 per game) and was fourth in blocks (2.23 per game).

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Jimmy Butler named to All-Defensive Second Team

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