The season gets under on Tuesday with the reigning Champions the Milwaukee Bucks take on the Brooklyn Nets in an Eastern Conference Finals rematch. Also, the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Golden State Warriors in the night cap of opening night. With that being said it’s time to look at some preseason awards and the championship predictions.
Most Valuable Player (MVP) - Kevin Durant
The MVP award is a highly narrative driven award as much as it is an award for who had the best season. As one of the best players in the league Kevin Durant will certainly put up the numbers needed to put him in the MVP conversation. I believe the current saga going on with his teammate Kyrie Irving and weather or not Irving will get vaccinated so he can play this season, wil help to bolster the narrative component of overcoming distractions and missing one of your best players from the beginning of the season and still carrying your team to a top seed in the Eastern Conference.
Defensive Player of the Year - Jrue Holiday
The Defensive Player of the Year award the past decade has been seen as mainly a big man award. I think with game changing and being more perimeter oriented that voters will look at more second level statistics as opposed to relying on just blocks, rebounds and a player’s plus minus to help determine the defensive player of the year. There are very few on ball defenders that can do what Holiday does from his ability to switch and guard multiple positions at an extremely high level. In addition I could see voter fatigue for Rudy Gobert of the Utah Jazz and also just the fact perimeter impact the game just as much as Center but their impact may not be able to be seen in the stat line. This is the year Jrue Holiday wins the Defensive Player of the Year.
Sixth Man of the Year- Tyler Herro
Tyler Herro will have a bounce back season from last year. His 2nd he experienced a sophomore slump which some him regress from the consistent player many saw in the NBA Bubble when the Heat went to the NBA Finals in 2019. With Victor Oladipo expected to miss some time at the beginning of the season while he recovers from injury; this will give Herro the ultimate green light as he will be looked to score. Herro will look to also live up to the statement in which he should be mentioned in the same conversations as some of the best young players in the game.
Most Improved Player- Michael Porter Jr.
Michael Porter will be looked at to take a bigger role with the Denver Nuggets.
Jamal Murray will miss most of the season as he recovers from his torn ACL and this will invite Michael Porter Jr to take that next step in his game this season. Porter Jr will likely average around 23 points a game and if he improves his individual defense then this award will be his for the taking.
NBA Champion Los Angeles Lakers
I predict the Los Angeles Lakers will meet the Brooklyn Nets in the Finals.
It will be a hard fought series that will ultimate go 6 games with the Lakers prevailing.
Anthony Davis will win his first NBA Finals MVP.
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