NBA Awards – MVP Russel Westbrook and more

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NBA Awards

The first-ever NBA Awards on TNT aired live from Basketball City in New York, featuring the traditional season-ending awards, plus some new ones where fans could vote for their favorites. For the most prestigious award – the MVP – it has been a debate all the way to the final minute between James Harden and Russel Westbrook who both had completely outstanding seasons. The third nominee Kawhi Leonard would top my list any year – except this one where the other two where simply more valuable for their respective teams. Without going too deep into numbers and triple-doubles it is safe to say they both deserved to win.

The funny thing with Harden is that often when you watch him play you laugh at all the mistaces he does and his selfishness but he still comes out with superb numbers. He is a frequent candidate for Shaqtin a fool for good reasons…

Tonight was not James Harden's night..

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As for Westbrook I kind of get the feeling it is some kind of personal revenge for Durant bailing out on him and thus eliminating his hopes for a title. It’s as if he wanted to win the title by himself. Result being he this season was the first player to average a triple-double for a season since Oscar Robertson in 1961-62.  Go back and read that again. Average. A. Triple. Double! Over 82 games in the worlds most competitive league.  I give you Russel Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder:

Many great players where introduced and awarded this night (see the full list below) but what really brought some tears in my eyes – and a good laughter – was the ultimate fighter Bill Russel, at age 83 …

So the awards have been handed out. The draft is over. Crazy season of trades begins (more on that later….) and we can all take a much needed rest before the next season will begin.

Full list of NBA awards winners (from NBA.com)

Kia NBA Most Valuable Player

  • [WINNER] Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
  • James Harden, Houston Rockets
  • Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year

  • [WINNER] Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
  • Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Kia Most Improved Player

  • [WINNER] Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets

Kia NBA Sixth Man Award

  • [WINNER] Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
  • Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors
  • Lou Williams, Houston Rockets

Kia NBA Rookie of the Year

  • [WINNER] Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
  • Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers

NBA Coach of the Year

  • [WINNER] Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets
  • Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
  • Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat

NBA Basketball Executive of the Year

  • [WINNER] Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors

NBA Sportsmanship Award

  • [WINNER] Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets

NBA Cares Community Assist Award

  • [WINNER] Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Sager Strong Award

  • [WINNER] Monty Williams, San Antonio Spurs

Lifetime Achievement Award

  • [WINNER] Bill Russell

#BestPlayoffMoment

  • [WINNER] Golden State’s Kevin Durant hits pull-up 3-pointer late in Game 3 of The Finals
  • Boston’s Isaiah Thomas scores career-high 53 points amidst personal tragedy
  • Washington’s John Wall with game-winning shot in East semifinals

#PerformanceOfTheYear

  • [WINNER] Golden State’s Klay Thompson scores 60 in three quarters vs. Indiana
  • Phoenix’s Devin Booker 70-point game vs. Boston
  • Houston’s James Harden nets 53-16-17 triple double vs. New York
  • Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook with most points in a triple double, 57-13-11, vs. Orlando

#GameWinnerOfTheYear

  • [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook vs. Denver
  • Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving vs. Golden State
  • Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis vs. Boston

Hustle Award

  • [WINNER] Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets

#DunkOfTheYear

  • [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Victor Oladipo vs. Atlanta
  • Los Angeles Lakers’ Larry Nance, Jr. vs. Brooklyn
  • Minnesota’s Zach LaVine vs. Phoenix

#BlockOfTheYear

  • [WINNER] San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard vs. Houston
  • New York’s Kristaps Porzingis vs. Brooklyn
  • Miami’s Hassan Whiteside vs. Toronto

#AssistOfTheYear

  • [WINNER] Golden State’s Draymond Green to StephenCurry to Kevin Durant
  • Denver’s Nikola Jokic with no-look pass
  • LA Clippers’ Chris Paul with wraparound pass

Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award

  • [WINNER] Dirk Nowitzki

#BestStyle

  • [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook
  • Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert
  • Chicago’s Dwyane Wade

NBA All-Rookie Team

  • Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
  • Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
  • Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
  • Buddy Hield, Sacramento Kings
  • Willy Hernangomez, New York Knicks

NBA All-Defensive Team

  • Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
  • Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
  • Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
  • Chris Paul, LA Clippers
  • Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets

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