NLJ’s 2020 NBA Awards Picks

In effort to provide some sense of normalcy to this season, the 2020 NBA Awards will go on.  Usually, the media (sportswriters and broadcasters) vote based on an 82 game regular season.  This year however, there were extenuating circumstances from the corona virus pandemic resulting in a break to the season. The “seeding games” that were played to kick off the NBA bubble will not be considered for these 2020 NBA Awards. Via NBA.com: “Awards voting will be based on games played from the start of the regular season through March 11.”   

For this piece I’m enlisting the help of fellow NLJ staff members Rami Marinoff and Brandon Rosenthal. We’ll act as our own 3 person panel and make our 2020 NBA awards picks as the media members would. We’ll follow the same rules as the panel and also offer some insight into our decisions.

First, let’s get the the big one out of the way…

Most Valuable Player

Sean: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis vs Lebron is a tough call in more ways than one for the 2020 NBA Awards MVP.  When you look at their individual seasons, you’ve got a ton of success with all of it being funneled through each player. “Point Lebron” has been exactly what the Lakers needed to succeed but do we give Lebron the MVP based on that merit?  For me, I think the narratives are nice to look at but the ultimate decision should be based on numbers.  In that case, the answer for me is Giannis.  29.5 ppg, 13.6 rpg and 5.6 apg while shooting 55% from the field and an NBA record 31.86 Player Efficiency Rating (PER). Milwaukee’s overall best record plus those numbers give Giannis the edge for me.  

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Brandon:  LeBron James

People can say Anthony Davis is the Lakers best player and they may be right … but Lebron James is the most valuable player. At age 35, LeBron still continues to prove his value to the Lakers and to the NBA. LeBron did something he has never done before, lead the league in assists. You know what that reminds me of? When Wilt Chamberlain decided one day to lead the league in assists and then the next season he freaking did it. LeBron came to the Lakers in 2018 to be the point guard and in his second season with the Lakers, LeBron led the league in assists. Oh, and he also helped guide the Lakers to 50+ wins, a number one seed, and averaged 25-8-10 while playing 35 minutes per game. LeBron almost made 150 3’s and attempted the most in his career. As he ages, he evolves. New team, new position, it doesn’t matter. LeBron is still the MVP and will be for at least one more season. 

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Rami: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Giannis’s nickname “the Greak Freak” is most definitely deserved. Antetokounmpo continues to grow and reach new levels of dominance each season, proving that he is more than simply an athletic wonder. He puts up what are practically video game numbers as the best player on the league’s best team. It’s certainly scary to think how he may not even be in his prime yet! Giannis has evolved into not only unguardable but also as one of the league’s most intimidating defensemen. From a team standpoint and a statistical one, Giannis has run the NBA this year.

Rookie of the Year

Sean: Ja Morant

Kendrick Nunn is a nice story, Zion tried his best to come on late but Ja Morant has been a star since day 1. The Grizzlies have a bright future and it started the day they drafted Morant. 17.8 points and 7.3 assists per game coupled with a strong playoff push makes Ja the easy choice here.

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Brandon: Ja Morant

This isn’t a debate. This isn’t a popularity contest. Ja Morant played in 67 games compared to Zion’s 24. Zion is great, but my dude barely played. Plus, it’s not like Ja doesn’t deserve it. The West is stacked in the guard department, but Ja is already a borderline All-Star. He dropped 35 in the West play-in game. It’s nice that Nunn and Zion are finalists, but this is Ja’s award. Dont’ f*ck this up NBA.

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Rami: Ja Morant

To me, Zion is objectively a better player than Ja already. This year’s Rookie of the Year race actually gives me flashbacks to Malcom Brogdon’s winning of the award over Joel Embiid a few years back. Embiid, like Zion, posted all-star level numbers while bringing his team to a whole other level in his very limited time on the court. Brogdon had a consistent, if not mediocre campaign. That said, Ja Morant has still been extremely special as a rookie. He shows explosiveness that I can only compare to a young D-Rose, and has nearly single-handedly propelled his team towards contention for a spot in the playoffs. He’s a special player, and his advantage in terms of games played gives him the edge.

Defensive Player of the Year

Sean: Anthony Davis

This award is difficult to determine because a lot of it depends on team defense as a whole. The Lakers rank 3rd in defensive rating while Milwaukee is ranked first but where the Lakers separate themselves is in defending the perimeter. They rank top 7 in both opponent’s field goal percentage and 3 point percentage. In my opinion, that credit belongs with Anthony Davis.  When Davis is on the floor, the Lakers defenders focus on checking their individual assignments because they know they have a human eraser behind them. He’s capable of guarding on the perimeter and protecting the paint and in today’s NBA, those skills are very valuable. Davis is averaging 1.5 steals and 2.3 blocks this season and seems to be everywhere on the floor at once.  He’s my pick.

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Brandon: Anthony Davis

AD does so much defensively. It’s truly amazing to watch. On the season, Davis finished 3rd in blocks per game, 14h in total rebounds (something I actually wish he did better), 14th in steals per game, and first in players with a unibrow. AD has to patrol the paint, switch onto guards, block shots, get steals, and bail out the sh*tty Lakers guards. Giannis has better analytics, but I strongly believe AD should be the DPOY. 

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Rami: Giannis Antetokounmpo

I whole-heartedly wanted to go with Gobert here. After all, he did shut the entire league down back in mid-March. While Davis has posted incredible numbers, I ultimately chose Giannis due to his versatility. Giannis’s athleticism and skill allow him to perfectly match up with any position. From a statistical standpoint, he ranks first in defensive rating, first in defensive win shares, second in defensive rebound percentage, and first in defensive box plus/minus. All signs point to Giannis (again).

Sixth Man Award

Sean: Lou Williams

I wanted to pick Schröder here.  I love those OKC 3 guard lineups with Chris Paul and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander but the answer is Sweet Lou Williams.  He’s in year 17 but the man is still a certified bucket at 18.2 ppg this season.  His presence alone changes the game and he gives the Clippers another option at the end of games that makes them extremely difficult to guard in crunch-time. It’s a testament to Williams’ game that he will win this award two years in a row on two completely different Clippers teams. Williams remains a constant source of offense no matter who you put around him.

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Brandon: Lou Williams

I think this is just an auto-pick for me. Lou is still that guy off the bench no matter what. Sure, he can’t really lock someone up when he’s in the game, but Sweet Lou can still fill it up. He’s always a threat to score, he can run the PNR as well as anyone around today, and he is not afraid to take big shots. Lou scored 18 a game off the pine, shooting 35% from three and only starting in 8 games. His usage rate only dropped 4 points with the Kawhi addition, which is telling. This might be his last award, but it doesn’t mean he doesn’t deserve it. 

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Rami: Dennis Schröder

As seen in my MVP pick, I do not consider longevity as a factor in my decisions. In Atlanta, Schroder had a lot of weight on his shoulders, forced to basically carry the Hawks with no support. In his two year spell with the Thunder, he has evolved into a more well-rounded team-first guard. Schröder scores 19 points per game on efficient splits. He dishes out four assists per game, grabs another four boards and is an all around electric guy coming off the bench. He has been a key to OKC’s surprising success. Enough said.

Most Improved Player

Sean: Bam Adebayo

I expect Luka to win MIP for the 2020 NBA Awards but I really like the strides Bam has made this season so I’m going with him.  Last year, Bam proved to Miami that he could be a piece they build around and he’s rewarded their faith by increasing his productivity in every way this season.  His scoring went up from 8.9 to 15.9; he’s averaging 3 more assists and rebounds per game (5.1apg/10.2rpg) and he’s one of the best defenders on the Heat. He’s capable of switching onto perimeter players and banging bodies inside while also being an offensive focal point. I did not see him becoming this good, this quickly and he deserves this award. 

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Brandon: Brandon Ingram

BI is my GUY! As much as I miss him in a Laker uniform, I am so happy to see him ball out in the big easy. Now, I did show my hand by announcing my Laker fandom, but don’t let that take away from the great season BI had. This is just Ingram’s 3rd season and he’s already averaging 24-6-3, while shooting 46-39-85. Ingram’s game improved drastically. From 2018 to 2019, Ingram’s scoring average jumped up 5 points, he shot the ball much better from three, drastically improved his free throw shooting, averaged more steals, blocks, rebounds, and assists. Overall, Ingram just grew as a player and an All-Star. I know Bam is great and Luka might still get this, but BI deserves it. Also, shoutout to all Brandon’s out there!

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Rami: Bam Adebayo

I agree with Sean here. Luka and BI are phenomenal players without a doubt. However, in terms of pure improvement, Bam takes the cake. He has gone from simply an “upside” project type of young player to an interior force. He has proven that he can go head to head with guys like Embiid and KAT, not to mention that he is also the second most gifted passing big man in the game. Adebayo is crucial to his team’s gameplan and is extremely versatile. If he shows any level of growth near to what he experienced this year, he looks to be a perennial all-star for the foreseeable future.

Coach of the Year

Sean: Nick Nurse

The 2020 NBA Awards COTY is the closest race in my opinion.  You can’t go wrong with any of these guys but to me, the job Nick Nurse has done this year is exceptional. Maintaining their contender status while losing Kawhi Leonard was huge but I think Nurse’s largest impact has been on defense.  He’s made the Raptors into one of the stingiest teams in the NBA.  He fills the floor with long and athletic defenders who get in your face and disrupt passing lanes.  The Raptors have a legitimate shot to repeat for the title this year and that’s due mostly to Nick Nurse being able to adjust on the fly and get the most out of his roster. 

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Brandon: Nick Nurse

This is an easy one. As much as I would have loved to pitch Vogel to you all, Nurse deserves this award. To lose Kawhi and then win more games this season, that’s a win for me. I don’t know if they can win the title, but this award is a regular season award. 

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Rami: Nick Nurse

Despite losing a top-three player on the planet this offseason, Nurse and the Raptors showed no signs of slowing down, finishing second in the Eastern Conference. They are a sleeper contender this postseason, and an under-the-radar threat to all the other superteams. It would be foolish not to credit Nurse for the Raptors’ continued dominance and superior player development. Thanks to Nurse, Toronto is an organized team with boatloads of talent and clear chemistry.

Written in collaboration by Sean Curley, Rami Marinoff and Brandon Rosenthal.