Midseason Awards & Predictions

We can't say that the middle of the NBA season is the best time to begin writing a blog that's primarily focused on the NBA, but then again, there's no better time than right now...right?

To make the most of this opportune, or inopportune time, depending on how you view your lemons, we decided to kick off the WMCB blog with a run down of our current NBA award winners as well as our predictions for the end of the season. There have been a lot of surprises in the league thus far with the Nuggets topping the West, the Bucks topping the East, and many players over or under performing. And we're supposed to pick our award winners.

I mean with all the chaos, who can really tell at this point?

(Jake raises his hand...)

Who is/will be the league MVP?

Jake: I've got to go with The Greek Freak here, despite James Harden's otherworldly run over the last month I still can't ignore that Antetokounmpo's Bucks are sat at the top of an admittedly weak post-LeBron Eastern Conference. Houston has dropped some recent games they should have easily won (Orlando and Brooklyn), but the Milwaukee Machine keeps rolling on - crazy stat lines combined with a 1-seed = ideal MVP candidate. Mike Budenholzer also deserves some credit for unlocking a style of play

which is ideal for Giannis to thrive in. Harden might be one of the most prolific scorers (and because of this an opportunistic playmaker too) the league has ever seen, but I can't hold back my hatred for foul hunting! Giannis on the other hand is one of the most athletically gifted, exciting downhill players I've ever seen. When he adds a three point shot to his skill set... it's over ladies and gentlemen. 

End of season MVP: Giannis  Antetokounmpo

Chad: I can't argue with either of your first two points that, one, The Greek Freak is definitely an MVP contender with his nightly superstar caliber performances that have helped the Bucks stay atop the East, or two, that James Harden has had an incredible stretch lately. But the lover of good all-around basketball in me won't let me write a whole paragraph praising Harden who seems to be playing the Bulls every night with all the "Ole!" defense he plays. And while I have a ton of respect for Antetokounmpo's play this season, especially dominating without a reliable jumper, I have to give the midseason MVP to Nikola Jokic. Maybe it's the nostalgia kicking in but seeing a not-so-athletic, fundamental big man with point guard passing ability who has led his team to the number one spot in the absolutely ridiculously tough Western Conference (ie. LeBron on the Lakers) puts him over the top for me. He may not have the gaudy numbers of an Antetokounmpo, Harden, or some other MVP contenders, but 19.6ppg, 10.0rpg, and 7.6apg isn't anything to scoff at.

End of Season MVP: James Harden (I just threw up in my mouth.)

Who is/will be the Rookie of the Year?

Jake: Kevin Huerter, just hear me out... I'm joking, it's obviously the Wonderkid himself, Luka Doncic.

Luka continues to show the league that Europe can produce superstars, his court vision and IQ is staggering to watch at times. This kid is only 19 years old and has already won a Euroleague championship and MVP award, his maturity and style of play are leaps and bounds beyond his fellow rookies and Atlanta will be kicking themselves to have ended up with a non-athletic Kemba Walker when they could have had a unicorn.

End of season ROY: Luka Doncic

Chad: Phew, I might've had a stroke if you tried to make a case for Huerter. You said it. Wonderkid. Hands down. Next question.

End of Season ROY: Luka Doncic

Who is/will be the Defensive Player of the Year?

Jake: This is beginning to seem like deja vu, but my pick is Giannis again. This guy is so ridiculous that he leads the league in defensive rating, defensive win shares and defense plus/minus. He does all of this while being the focal offensive threat for his team. If Rudy Gobert's defense begins to translate into wins for Utah then he should get some credit, because he's only a hair behind Giannis in both defensive plus/minus and win shares.  I feel like at this point DPOY is the Freak's to lose.

End of season DPOY: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Chad: Just to add to the deja vu, I can't argue with your choice of Giannis. But I'm going to go with someone who has been defending the best wings at an elite level for many years. Paul George is my DPOY at the midpoint. Last year the Thunder were very underwhelming on both ends of the court using the eye test, if not also analytically. But this season P.G. seems to have found his niche within the team and has asserted himself as a leader even if only by example, on the defensive end. He even has his former-MVP teammate Westbrook putting up big defensive numbers right there with him. And if any part of basketball is a team effort it's the defensive end. George and Russ are currently leading the league in steals per game at the one and two spots, are top five in defensive win shares, and top ten in defensive rating. And as we know, great defense turns into great offense and the Thunder's O seems to be clicking this year. Of course that could be attributed to a key subtraction from last year's roster...*cough* Melo *cough*.

End of Season DPOY: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Because he won't win MVP and the voters will want to give him something. And it's not like he's not deserving.)

Who is/will be the Most Improved Player?

Jake: A personal favourite of mine - DeAaron Fox. Sophomore year has proven to be a breakout year for 'Swipa' - he's proved he can lead an reimagined offense under Dave Joerger as well as shoulder a nightly scoring and playmaking load. Probably the fastest player in the NBA (Russ might say otherwise), Fox has helped propel the Kings to play at the 2nd fastest pace in the league while posting career high averages in EVERY key category. My favourite comparison for him is Mike Conley on steroids. I wouldn't be surprised to be naming DeAaron Fox as my MIP next year too.

End of season MIP: DeAaron Fox

Chad: This is a tough one nearly every year but for me it has to be Zach Lavine. Sure he's on a bad team...scratch that...awful team, and as Charles Barkley says, anyone can put up numbers on an awful team, but pretty much everyone who's a contender for this award is on a team fighting for the lottery. To this point in the season, Lavine is averaging 5 points more per game than the previous year while also averaging a career high in assists, rebounds, and blocks. Plus he's on the Chicago Bulls and I need something to pull for this year.

End of Season MIP: Zach Lavine

Biggest surprise so far?

Jake: DeMarcus Cousins will be "back on the court" tonight. TONIGHT?! We're talking about one of the most dominant big men in the league, joining the most dominant team the league has ever seen, just before the long-haul that is February-April... It's beyond unfair, although Boogie is coming off a usually career-altering injury I think we'll see him adjust very quickly to the Warriors style of play, and give them an alternative option... give it to DeMarcus, watch and laugh while you decide which size ring you'll need.

Chad: Which one to pick? I'm gonna go with the league as a whole. You already mentioned one, Boogie is back and it's not even the all-star break, LeBron chose to go to L.A., the Nuggets are the best in the West, the Bucks are the best in the East, the Celtics aren't the best in the East, Javale McGee still has some game in him, Luka is better than advertised (which is saying something), the Clippers are in the playoffs if the playoffs started today, the Jazz aren't, the T-Wolves suck just about as bad as Jimmy Butler said they were despite having what should be three all-stars, in-case you weren't paying attention that counted Derrick Rose as an all-star this year, I mean come on. The only thing that isn't surprising about this NBA season is that the Suns are still the worst team in the league...oh wait, there's three teams who currently have a worse record than them. Sheesh.

Biggest disappointment so far?

Jake: My original answer was the Utah Jazz, but they're currently on a 5 game win streak and Donovan Mitchell appears to have regained some of his rookie season mojo. Instead I'll go for the always disappointing New Orleans Pelicans, who despite seemingly figuring out a winning style of play in the

second half of last season, are now sitting firmly in 12th place in the West, rapidly running out of options and knowing that Anthony Davis is fleeing town next summer. Great job guys.

Chad: New Orleans is always a good choice. But I'm going to go with the Boston Celtics. Yes, they are currently fifth in the conference and will no doubt secure a playoff spot, but I was anticipating them being the "Warriors of the East," on a collision course for an epic NBA Finals matchup between the most talented team ever assembled and the young guns who seemed seasoned and ready to compete for a ring even last year. Maybe somehow Kyrie's phone call and apology to LeBron will be some kind of passive-aggressive tool that gets the Celtics rolling.

Who will win the NBA Finals?

Jake: I can't see anybody stopping Golden State as they cruise to the Finals. The Eastern Conference Playoffs will be interesting though, after all the drama I think Boston makes a big run in the second half of their season and into the playoffs, relying on their depth and ability to plug scoring options in and out of the starting lineup. When Boston and Golden State meet, despite the depth of the Celtics the Warriors have too much star power and Playoff-Draymond gives them the edge they need to three-peat.

GSW wins: 4-2

Chad: I hate this almost as much as predicting James Harden will win back-to-back MVPs. But I have to agree with you, the Warriors will win it again. I mean come on. You have arguably the best team ever from last year with Steph, Klay, Dray, and KD and then you add arguably the best center in the game. Injury or not Boogie is gonna be a problem. As for the East, I'm pulling for the Sixers to put it all together and make the Finals but until I see consistent evidence of that I have to go with the Celtics. Ultimately though I just hope everyone in both conferences beats up on each other so we have an epic NBA Playoffs this year.

Golden State wins: 4-0

Agree? Disagree? Share your opinion in the comments below.