NBA 2016-17 Award And Season Predictions Roundtable

Oct 21, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) shoots the ball over Houston Rockets small forward Corey Brewer (33) during the first half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

In our 2016-17 NBA Regular season award predictions roundtable, we explore whether the Golden State Warriors or the Cleveland Cavaliers will win the Title

While most of this year’s attention in the NBA will surround whether the new-look Golden State Warriors can form into the best team the league has ever seen, or if the Cleveland Cavaliers can repeat as NBA Champions, there are certainly plenty of other storylines heading into the 2016-17 season.

For instance, there’s a slew of talented rookies who are worth keeping tabs on – even with Ben Simmons expected to miss the majority of the season.

The same could be said about the number of MVP candidates – Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. Will voters hold it against the Warriors and shy away from voting for Curry or Durant?

Will LeBron regain the throne that he believes is rightfully his?

With a number of storylines yet to be answered as the 2016-17 NBA season tips off, we begin the frenzy by making our award and season predictions.

Oct 6, 2016; Greensboro, NC, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Charlotte Hornets at Greensboro Coliseum. The Celtics won 107-92. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Coach of the Year

Ah, the NBA’s Coach of the Year award. Or, as some voters view it as – the coach of the team with the NBA’s best record.

This award often goes to the team with the best record. Though, this could be the year where the exception is taken – especially with Steve Kerr of the Golden State Warriors winning it a year ago.

With that in mind, here are our picks:

Michael Saenz: Mike D’Antoni

Thomas Jenkins: Brad Stevens

Clevis Murray: Brad Stevens

Zach Blochlinger: Billy Donovan

Drew Clark: Steve Kerr

Tony Webb: Tom Thibeadou, young core gets top coach, takes Wolves to edge of reaching Western Conference playoffs

Tyree Morton: Gregg Popovich

Jacob Little: Tom Thibodeau

Christina Merrion: Brad Stevens

James Polazzon: Brad Stevens

Mason McFee: Tom Thibodeau

Richard Staple Jr: Brad Stevens

Nikolas Donadic: Tom Thibodeau

Alex Eddy: Doc Rivers

Brady Rippon: Tom Thibodeau

Most Improved Player

The NBA’s Most Improved Player award, fair or not, often goes to the guy who just gets more of an opportunity than the year before. More opportunities results in more production, which often leads to winning this hardware.

Last year, we saw it with C.J. McCollum. McCollum averaged nearly 12 more shot attempts per game and it equated to better stats. Expect that to happen again this season. If you put up stats that you didn’t the year before, you’re automatically in the conversation.

Saenz: D’Angelo Russell

Jenkins: Dennis Schroder

Murray: Devin Booker

Blochlinger: Steven Adams

Clark: Doug McDermott

Webb: Jabari Parker, Parker finally shows what he can do, with Middleton out, Parker steps up and has a breakout year

Morton: Austin Rivers

Little: Jabari Parker

Merrion: Kristaps Porzingis

Polazzon: Rodney Hood

McFee: Jeremy Lin

Staple Jr: Victor Oladipo

Donadic: Kristaps Porzingis

Eddy: D’Angelo Russell

Michael Moeller: D’Angelo Russell

Rippon: Aaron Gordon

Oct 1, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Golden State Warriors guard Andre Iguodala (9) with the ball against Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Peter Llewellyn-USA TODAY Sports

Sixth Man of the Year

The Sixth Man of the Year award, or the Jamal Crawford award, should go the player that is most valuable off the bench. Instead, though, over the last few seasons it’s almost like every voter feels they have to give it to Crawford.

Not this season.

Hopefully a new award winner emerges. Although, if there’s no clear-cut favorite don’t be surprised if Crawford comes away with another Sixth Man of the Year award.

Saenz: Enes Kanter

Jenkins: Andre Iguodala

Murray: Enes Kanter

Blochlinger: Allen Crabbe

Clark: Brandon Jennings

Webb: Andre Iguodola, Warriors bench took a blow with signing KD, Andre steps up more.

Morton: Austin Rivers

Little: Jamal Crawford

Merrion: Brandon Jennings

Polazzon: Enes Kanter

McFee: Eric Gordon

Staple Jr: Andre Iguodala

Donadic: Marcus Smart

Eddy: Brandon Knight

Rippon: Brandon Jennings

Oct 18, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans guard Buddy Hield (24) attempts a shot against Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) in the first quarter of their game at Philips Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie of the Year

This is often the award that goes to the No. 1 overall pick for the past NBA Draft. Though, with Ben Simmons likely missing the majority of the 2016-17 season, or simply not being back enough to put up the necessary numbers, this could be an interesting race.

It should be noted that this is also an award that usually goes to the rookie that puts up the best counting stats. Keep that in mind, especially for rookies who are already projected into their team’s respective starting lineups.

Saenz: Buddy Hield

Jenkins: Buddy Hield

Murray: Buddy Hield, wouldn’t be shocked with Joel Embiid

Blochlinger: Joel Embiid

Clark: Joel Embiid

Webb: Kris Dunn, Coach Thibs + multiple weapons + defense = ROTY

Morton: Buddy Hield

Little: Joel Embiid

Merrion: Buddy Hield

Polazzon: Joel Embiid

McFee: Pat McCaw

Staple Jr: Joel Embiid

Donadic: Buddy Hield

Eddy: Brandon Ingram

Moeller: Buddy Hield

Rippon: Buddy Hield

Oct 14, 2016; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) looks on during the first half against the Miami Heat at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports

Defensive Player of the Year

During the last two season’s it’s been Kawhi Leonard‘s to lose – and he hasn’t done that. When watching him on the defensive end, it’s impressive the way he’s able to almost single-handedly eliminate one side of the court. That’s how long and skilled he is on that end of the floor.

Perhaps most impressively is that this is a guy that’s also good on the other end of the floor. Question is, will we see some voter fatigue this season? If so, that could open up an opportunity for a guy like Draymond Green or Rudy Gobert.

Saenz: Hassan Whiteside

Jenkins: Draymond Green

Murray: Kawhi Leonard

Blochlinger: Anthony Davis

Clark: Rudy Gobert

Webb: Kawhi Leonard, still the best on-ball, perimeter defender there is.

Morton: Kawhi Leonard

Little: Kawhi Leonard

Merrion: Draymond Green

Polazzon: Draymond Green

McFee: Rudy Gobert

Staple Jr: Kawhi Leonard

Donadic: Hassan Whiteside

Eddy: Rudy Gobert

Moeller: Kawhi Leonard

Rippon: Rudy Gobert

Oct 15, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) shoots over Memphis Grizzlies guard Andrew Harrison (5) during the second quarter at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Most Valuable Player

In my opinion, this will be the best MVP race in quite a while. Is there a clear-cut favorite? Will there be voter fatigue when it comes to potentially a third-straight win for Stephen Curry? Will LeBron James play enough to re-gain his award?

For me, perhaps the most fun is who is going to be that outlier that jumps into the race? Will it be Russell Westbrook, who could get close to posting triple-double figures?

Saenz: James Harden

Jenkins: Kawhi Leonard

Murray: LeBron James… Maybe Kyrie Irving

Blochlinger: Russell Westbrook

Clark: James Harden

Webb: Russell Westbrook, popular pick, but he’s the man now and has even more of a chip on his shoulder. The GSW Trio will drown each other out and Westbrook will pile on stats and help OKC stay in the playoffs.

Morton: Russell Westbrook

Little: James Harden

Merrion: Russell Westbrook

Polazzon: Kevin Durant

McFee: James Harden

Staple Jr: LeBron James

Donadic: Russell Westbrook

Eddy: LeBron James

Moeller: LeBron James

Rippon: LeBron James

Jun 19, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) shoots a free throw in the third quarter in game seven of the NBA Finals at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

NBA Finals Pick

This has to be deciding between good and evil, right? Maybe. My question is, how much are we going to hate the Golden State Warriors by the time June comes around? If some already hate them now, and can’t stand them, imagine how much that will grow as they begin to dominate the rest of the NBA.

LeBron James vs Kevin Durant. Kyrie Irving vs Stephen Curry. Klay Thompson vs J.R. Smith. Kevin Love vs Draymond Green. Fun.

Or, maybe someone crashes the party and robs us of a the rubber match between the Cavs and Warriors.

Saenz: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 5

Jenkins: Golden State Warriors

Murray: Cleveland Cavaliers

Blochlinger: Cleveland Cavaliers over Golden State Warriors

Clark: Golden State Warriors over Boston Celtics in 6

Webb: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers. The Warriors/Cavs Trilogy. Sigh. Boring pick, but it’s going to happen.

Morton: Cleveland Cavaliers

Little: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 5

Merrion: Golden State Warriors

Polazzon: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 7

McFee: Golden State Warriors over Indiana Pacers

Staple Jr: Golden State Warriors

Donadic: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 6

Eddy: Cleveland Cavaliers

Moeller: Golden State Warriors over Cleveland Cavaliers in 5

Rippon: Golden State Warriors

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