We’ve reached another yearly milestone in 2016; the beginning of the NBA season. Thank God! This comes at a vital time, as ESPN has been understandably boring due to the lack of basketball and football available and, because of the election, has turned to playing the role of "CNN with athletes." There will be no more of that, thankfully, as tip-off went underway last week and the 2016-2017 NBA season commenced. Without further adieu, here are my predictions for individual and team honors this season:
Rookie of the Year
Contenders: Kriss Dunn, Joel Embiid, Buddy Hield
Winner: Joel Embiid
Kriss Dunn will be running the point for the Timberwolves for years to come, and Buddy Hield will prove to be an effective scorer off the bench for the Pelicans, but the ROTY is heading to Philadelphia this season. Joel Embiid has been anxiously waiting two years for his debut, and the highly-skilled big man unleashed for 20 points, seven rebounds, and two blocks in just 22 minutes in the season opener. He’s the best player on the team right now; a 7-footer who can put the ball on the floor, shoot 3’s, and play the role of defensive stopper. Philly is definitely grateful for his return.
Sixth Man of the Year
Contenders: Jamal Crawford, Andre Iguodala, Zach Randolph
Winner: Andre Iguodala
When first-year Grizzlies coach Dave Fizdale announced during the preseason that veteran power forward Zach Randolph would be coming off the bench this season, Randolph responded in a way any coach would appreciate by telling teammate Marc Gasol "I'll anchor the bench for us, don't worry about it, I've got that part.” That’s leadership the Grizzlies need and will get from Randolph, but the awards go to the winners, and with the Warriors not looking to stop in that category, look for Andre Iguodala to capitalize off of last year's second place finish for Sixth Man Of The Year by winning it this season with efficient offense and consistent hard-nosed defense.
Defensive Player of the Year
Contenders: Draymond Green, Kawhi Leonard, Hassan Whiteside
Winner: Draymond Green
Hassan Whiteside, a defensive powerhouse regardless, is on his own down low in Miami this season with the loss of Chris Bosh (for now), and Kawhi Leonard has consistently been one of, if not the, top defenders in the league for the past two years, taking home DPOTY honors the last two seasons. However, Draymond Green’s role is specifically crucial to Golden State's success, and you can always bet on his defensive output. With Green’s defensive prowess being extremely essential to Golden State’s championship hopes, look for him to take this years DPOTY trophy from Kawhi Leonard by a slim margin as he continues to play the role of “heart and soul” for the Warriors defense.
Most Improved Player of the Year
Contenders: Devin Booker, D’Angelo Russell, Myles Turner
Winner: Devin Booker
This should be one of the tightest battles, with all three contenders starting the year off as starters for the first time. If D’Angelo Russell can mature, he should grow to be the star PG the rebuilding Lakers drafted him to be. Myles Turner and Paul George have become a sort of dynamic duo for the Pacers, with Turner flexing his muscles with 30 points, 16 rebounds, and 4 blocks in the season opener. It’s Devin Booker, however, who will be taking home the MIPOTY. Booker’s role in new associate coach Jay Triano’s motion offense is vital to the Suns’ success, and as one of the leagues top outside shooters, look for Booker to lay his mark down as such.
Most Valuable Player
Contenders: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, Russell Westbrook
Winner: Russell Westbrook
It’s hard not to give this one to LeBron, as the the Cavs should easily take the Eastern Conference, and defensive-minded Kawhi Leonard’s game isn't buzz-worthy enough to catapult him past the top two. This year, however, the trend of players from the winningest of teams winning the MVP should come to an end with Russ taking the honors. Though it won’t necessarily lead to more wins for the Durant-depleted Thunder, Westbrook’s stats playing on his own should prove to be too overwhelming for voters to ignore as he looks to shift his game to his more natural Allen Iverson-esque style (According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Westbrook is the first player with at least 100 points, 30 rebounds and 30 assists in the first three games of a season).
Eastern Conference Champs
Contenders: Bulls, Cavs, Celtics
Winner: Cavs
While the Celtics added a vital piece to their puzzle with the addition of free agent signing Al Horford, it’s not the piece that will take them over the top. The Bulls added multiple pieces to their puzzle in Rajon Rondo and Dwyane Wade, but also lost key front court pieces in Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah. The Cavs are the defending NBA and Eastern Conference champs, and with LeBron still alive and breathing and Kyrie Irving transitioning himself into the "elite" category, look for the Cavs to take the East once again.
West Champs
Contenders: Clippers, Spurs, Warriors
Winner: Warriors
The Spurs lost Tim Duncan but picked up Pau Gasol in free agency, while the Clippers remained seemingly intact. None of this matters. The Warriors added Kevin Durant, one of the highest skilled scorers of this generation. While the Warriors will struggle to find their presence down low with the departure of Andrew Bogut, the firepower they posses on offense along with Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala’s versatile defense should lead the Warriors to the NBA Finals once again.
NBA Champions
Contenders: Cavs, Warriors
Winner: Warriors
After holding a 3-1 lead in the NBA Finals, the Warriors collapsed and the Cavs took advantage as they were able to win three in a row to win the championship. I don’t see that being the case this season. The Warriors brought in Kevin Durant for a reason, and despite having reigning MVP Steph Curry and Klay Thompson around, the Warriors could have desperately used Durant’s efficient offensive output last year. Last year, the Cavs took it to the Warriors for seven games. This year, the Warriors will handle business in six.
