The NBA is trying a new format for announcing awards this year. Rather than announcing them one at a time after the regular season ends, they’ve decided to roll them all into one big awards show.
I was not a fan of the idea of this format from the start, as it meant the constant bickering about who was really the MVP would continue for two more months, long after all of their teams would be knocked out of the playoffs. After the events of the last couple of years, many people are over an environment of constant arguing.
On the other hand, many others thrive in that environment so they might have enjoyed the added suspense. Either way I haven’t heard a lot of enthusiasm from either side about the new format.
That said, it will be a bit of a smorgasbord of awards, and promises to fuel a whole lot of takes. So here’s what you can look forward to.
Main awards:
- Most Valuable Player: Nominees include Russell Westbrook (OKC), James Harden (HOU) and Kawhi Leonard (SAS)
- Rookie of the Year: Nominees include Malcolm Brogden (MIL), Joel Embiid (PHI), and Dario Saric (PHI)
- Coach of the Year: Nominees include Mike D'Antoni (HOU), Gregg Popovich (SAS), and Erik Spoelstra (MIA)
- Sixth Man Award: Nominees include Eric Gordon (HOU), Andre Iguodala (GSW), and Lou Williams (HOU)
- Most Improved Player: Nominees include Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Rudy Gobert (UTA), and Nikola Jokic (DEN)
- Defensive Player of the Year: Nominees include Rudy Gobert (UTA), Draymond Green (GSW), and Kawhi Leonard (SAS)
And many more, including fan-vote categories.
Warriors fans should keep an eye on Sixth Man candidate Andre Iguodala and Defensive Player of the Year candidate Draymond Green for the main awards.
In the fan-vote categories, look for Green and Stephen Curry for Assist of the Year:
Klay Thompson’s 60-point game for performance of the year:
And Kevin Durant for Best Playoff Moment:
The NBA has already announced the All-Defensive teams, which included Draymmind Green on the first team as Bram Kincheloe described earlier today. There were no Warriors on the All-Rookie teams, but Patrick McCaw received eight votes.
2017 NBA All-Rookie team: pic.twitter.com/KZp2D7DUf8
— Marc J. Spears (@MarcJSpearsESPN) June 26, 2017
The show will be hosted by noted NBA super-fan Drake and will air at 6 p.m. PT on TNT.