Being an NBA fan, there is no break in the news cycle, even in the off-season, it’s a 365 day affair. After Zion Williamson was taken #1 in the Draft last week, and with Free Agency officially beginning next week, there had to be some filler to satisfy the most die-hard of fans in this awful down time. Enter, the NBA Awards Show. Even though the regular season finished in early April (and feels like an eternity ago), the regular season awards were announced today, with plenty of surprises and omissions.
Here are all the winners of the NBA’s regular season awards:
Rookie of the Year:
View this post on Instagram
Winner: Luka Doncic
After being taken #3 in the 2018 NBA Draft, the former Euroleague MVP, Luka Doncic, took out the ROY award for 2019. Doncic beat out Ice Trae and DeAndre Ayton in a hotly contested race for Rookie of the Year. The award is well deserved as Luka has singlehandedly changed the timeline of the rebuild for the Mavericks and given hope to all the Dallas faithfuls after the retirement of Dirk this year.
Most Improved Player
View this post on Instagram
Winner: Pascal Siakim
Spicy P beat out D’Angelo Russell and De’Aaron Fox to take out the 2019 MIP Award. Siakim was the 2nd option for offence on the Raptors championship run and came up big in important moments for the squad. The Cameroonian native raised the roof on the ceiling the NBA had set on his potential, earning this award through hard work and determination.
6th Man of the Year
View this post on Instagram
Winner: Lou Williams
Sweet Lou took home the 6th Man of the Year Award for the 3rd time in his career, tying the NBA record for 6MOTY with Jamal Crawford. He had a stellar season, leading an undermanned Clippers squad, against all expectations, all the way to the playoffs. Williams beat out his fellow teammate, Montrezl Harrell and also Domantas Sabonis for the trophy. His volume scoring and ability to get to the bucket is unrivalled, in the words of Drizzy, 6 man like I’m Lou Will.
Coach of the Year
View this post on Instagram
Winner: Mike Budenholzer
Coach Bud took a Milwaukee team that was a perpetual first round exit to a top 5 team in offence and defence, not to mention the best record in the entire NBA, all in one season. Budenholzer created and implemented his system on the Bucks and got the most out of all their players to take the team to their best record since 1972. Congrats Bud.
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Rudy Gobert
Back2Back DPOY’s for the French Rejection. Gobert beat out Giannis and Paul George to win this years Defensive Player of the Year. The Utah Jazz’s Centre led the league with 2.6 blocks per game, to go along with 16 points and 13 rebounds. Gobert was always a presence in the paint and the anchor of Utah’s defensive style of play.
Most Valuable Player
View this post on Instagram
Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo
The Greek Freak. Superman. The Alphabet. Giannis had a historic season, leading the Milwaukee Bucks to the best record in the NBA, averaging numbers that has never been done before. Giannis averaged 27.7ppg, 12.5rpg and 5.9 assists, taking the Bucks to the Eastern Conference Finals. Giannis beat out PG13 and James Harden to win the 2018-19 season’s most prestigious MVP Award. He was all NBA first time in offence and defence and the 24 year old is just going to keep getting better.
Well that’s that for the 2018-19 NBA Season, after this awards night, the 2019-20 season is officially just around the corner. Free Agency begins on June 30th and Summer League in just under a month from now. Congrats to all the winners! Until next time nephews.
In more basketball news, LaMelo Ball is making his way down under to play in the NBL this season
Featured image via Instagram @ESPN
