Los Angeles Lakers

Lakers: 2016-17 Midseason Awards

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 5:07 p.m. ET

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Fansided, Christian Rivas/FanSided via Lake Show Life

Jan 22, 2017; Dallas, TX, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Louis Williams (left) and guard Jordan Clarkson (right) warm up before the game against the Dallas Mavericks at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

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With awards season just around the corner, we’re giving handing out midseason awards to the Lakers best and brightest.

Awards season is upon us! The Los Angeles Lakers are on their annual Grammy Road Trip leading up to the Grammy Music Awards on Feb. 12, followed by the Oscars on Feb. 26. While none of the Lakers will be giving acceptance speeches on either nights–although a Marcelo Huertas look-alike was spotted in Star Wars: Rogue One–we still felt it would be nice to hand out awards.

Yes, these awards mean absolutely nothing and are completely subjective, but so are the Grammys and Oscars. It’s basically the same thing.

Like most awards, there will be snubs except unlike most awards, no one will care. Diversity won’t be a hot topic (#LakeShowSoWhite), nor will Leo getting his first matter.

So without further ado, I give you the Lakers 2016-17 midseason awards.

Most Improved Player: Nick Young

Nov 2, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) celebrates a basket in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena. The Lakers won 123-116. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

If someone came up to me around this time last year and told me “Nick Young is going to start at shooting guard for the Lakers next season,” I would have laughed in their face. Not just a “ha ha” laugh, but like a real loud, hardy sailors laugh. Seriously. There was a better chance of me being the starting shooting guard for the Lakers this time last year.

Yet on Tuesday night against the Denver Nuggets, Young led the Lakers in scoring with 23 points on 9-for-15 shooting to snap the team’s three-game losing streak. He also ended the game with the highest Box Plus/Minus (+23) of anyone on the floor. In other words, just another day at the office for Swaggy P. That’s how good he’s been this season, folks.

He’s not only the Lakers’ best three-point shooter, but he’s one of the best shooters in the league. Of players attempting more than 6.5 three-pointers per game, Young is second in the NBA in three-point percentage ahead of sharpshooters like Steph Curry, Klay Thompson, James Harden, Kevin Love, etc. The list goes on.

However, it’s no coincidence that he’s doing well the year he can opt out of his contract. Young’s sweet shooting will get him paid this summer, it’s just not likely the Lakers will be the ones to empty their pockets. Enjoy the Swaggy P era in Los Angeles while you can.

Honorable mention: D’Angelo Russell

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams

Dec 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Lou Williams (23) defended by Phoenix Suns forward Alan Williams (15) during a basketball game at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Was there ever any doubt? There’s a reason Drake–or one of his alleged ghost writers–wrote a song about him called “6 Man.” He can put the ball in the hoop.

Lou Williams is literally the only player in the NBA putting up more than 15 points (18.2) in less than 25 minutes per game. You need points in a hurry? He’s your guy.

Of course, anyone who knows Lou Will’s game also knows that he can be a problem. While his ability to get hot in a hurry has bailed the Lakers out in late-game situations several times this season, his score-first mentality has lost games for them too.

When his shots are falling, he becomes a one-man show. It’s one-on-five on offense, and four-on-five on defense. When his shots stop falling, not much changes.

The Lakers would be smart to test the market for Lou, not because he’s not a good player, but because he’s not the best fit for a young team trying to find their identity. Dealing him to a legitimate contender like the Wizards could give him a chance at competing for the actual Sixth Man of the Year award.

Honorable mention: Jordan Clarkson

Rookie of the Year: Ivica Zubac

January 15, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers center Ivica Zubac (40) during a stoppage in play against Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) during the second half at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

For Ivica Zubac, this season has been all about opportunity. As the No. 32 pick in the draft, no one expected anything of him. All eyes were on the shiny new No. 2 pick, Brandon Ingram. While Ingram has impressive this season, that’s the expectation for the No. 2 pick in the draft, especially in a market like Los Angeles. However, despite being taken in the second round, Zubac has arguably been the best of the two.

Over the last five games, Zubac is averaging 10 points and 6.2 rebounds in 18 minutes per game. In those five games, Zubac has set a new career-high three times, including a 17-point outburst in their last win over the Denver Nuggets. He’s also been a beast on the boards, picking up a pair of double-doubles since the Jan. 25.

Ingram has all the talent, but he has been inconsistent throughout the season. One game he’s the best player on the floor and the next game he looks like a 19-year-old playing in the NBA. That’s normal for a young player, which makes Zubac’s “Mr. Reliable” role all the more impressive.

Luckily, we won’t need to spend too much time arguing over who is the better of the two over the next for years. Instead, we can enjoy the growth of these two young, talented players. The future could not be brighter.

Honorable mention: Brandon Ingram

Defensive Player of the Year: Tarik Black

Nov 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Jerami Grant (9) and Los Angeles Lakers center Tarik Black (28) go for a rebound during the fourth quarter at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

It’s really hard to pick a Defensive Player of the Year on a team with the second-worst defensive rating in the NBA. While no one stands out statistically, a few pass the eye test. Tarik Black especially.

Black is a tad undersized for the center position, but don’t tell him that. Despite standing at just 6-foot, Black isn’t scared to go up and contest shots at the rim. In fact, Black is third in the NBA in blocks per game among centers 6-foot-10 and under, only trailing Tristan Thompson and Bismack Biyombo.

Combined, Thompson and Biyombo make around $34.4 million a year. Black makes a fraction of that and can do this:

His high energy and defensive effort has been crucial in building the Lakers’ bench mob reputation. The Lakers have one of the best backup centers in the NBA and they’re not breaking the bank to keep him around.

Honorable mention: Larry Nance Jr.

Most Valuable Player: D’Angelo Russell

Dec 23, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) high fives teammates against the Orlando Magic during the second quarter at Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

WARNING: If you’re one of the fans that think D’Angelo Russell is the second coming of Kwame Brown, this slide is not for you.

No, he hasn’t been the 20 and 10 guy everyone hoped he would be this season, but he’s shown enough for fans to expect that level of play from him in the very near future. With the exception of a mid-season rough patch and a few nagging injuries, Russell has been solid.

Since returning to the starting lineup after nursing a knee injury, Russell has averaged a team-high 19.7 points, 9 assists and 6.7 rebounds. The only other two players to put up at least 19 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds over the last three games have been LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. You know, fringe rotation players.

He is also one of six players in the entire league averaging 9 assists or more over the last three games, putting him alongside players like James, Westbrook, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry. Again, okay players.

It’s hard to label someone a bust when they’re putting up numbers. The biggest quiestion will be how long he can keep this up.

If this is any indication of what fans can expect from their point guard going forward, not too many people will be calling for his head on Twitter. He’ll never be the fastest guy on the court, nor will he be the next Kobe Bryant. But his elite instincts as a playmaker and nose for the basket will earn him fans sooner than later.

Honorable mention: Julius Randle

But what do you guys think? Did we get this spot on? Was someone more deserving? Will La La Land sweep at the Oscars? Let us know in the comments below!

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