Welcome to the Basketball Hangover. We jot down NBA and WNBA stuff mostly from last night that we want to talk about. Check it out.
I feel like Bam Adebayo should win Most Improved Player but that’s just me.
(PHOTO CREDIT: Kim Klement/AP.)
So as you probably already know, the media has already decided on the NBA season awards. Unfortunately, the season only covers up ’til March 11, when the season was suspended due to COVID-19. In fact, they already mentioned the Top 3 finalists for each award. Let’s take a look-see.
I’m not too surprised about the MVP finalists but I’d be shocked if it’s someone other than Giannis Antetokounmpo. Once again, he led the team to the best record in the league up to that point and he produced MORE this season with fewer minutes than last season! This should be a repeat but I don’t look forward to James Harden (himself AND his fans) complaining on social media. I get the beef but it’s just such sour grapes.
The Rookie of the Year voting had Zion Williamson shoehorned in there. Yes, I get that he’s great but he only had played 19 games up to that point. Brandon Clarke of the Memphis Grizzlies should’ve been a finalist. But once again, this should be a runaway vote. Ja Morant is it.
The Most Improved Award should also be a runaway vote. I get about Luka Doncic and Brandon Ingram getting votes but Devonte Graham of the Charlotte Hornets should’ve been in the mix. People are going to say was that because he got more minutes. Sometimes, I hate that debate because getting minutes means you IMPROVED your game and EARNED your minutes. Not everyone gets to be an everyday starter in the league. Also, Pascal Siakam should’ve been a contender for his second straight MIP award because you see what he’s done this season compared to last. But anyway, Bam Adebayo deserves this one.
Defensive Player of the Year is probably Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s to lose. He’s been so dangerous inside as a rim-stopper. Anthony Davis had mentioned he wanted to win it and proved he’s one you can’t score on all season. Rudy Gobert is always going to be a contender. Either way, Giannis might be the first to win MVP and DPOY since Hakeem Olajuwon did it in 1994.
The Sixth Man of the Year award has come down to two Clippers once again and another player. It’s easy to see either Lou Williams or Montrezl Harrell winning it. But man, Dennis Schroder has been so good for the Thunder. This is going to be a toss-up.
Finally, Coach of the Year is going to be a tough one as well. I can see Mike Budenholzer repeating. Billy Donovan did such a good job with the Thunder. But my vote goes to Nick Nurse for still having a contending team after losing Kawhi Leonard. Gosh, this team is so fun to watch.
Also, there is news concerning more awards.
The NBA will name a Player of the Seeding Games and an All-Seeding Games Team to honor top performers for games during the 2019-20 season restart at Disney in Florida.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) August 11, 2020
Not sure T.J. Warren can win the Player of the Bubble now after that dud against the Miami Heat. Maybe Luka Doncic considering he’s averaging a triple-double in the bubble. But I’m glad they have separate awards now. It’s hard to play at the highest level after a four-month break.
Bullet Passes
The same fans that jeered Kyle Kuzma are probably cheering him on now. I hate that people can be so fickle about sports. I understand it’s a roller coaster of emotions but good grief. Gotta stay with your team and players, man. Have faith in them. He made the game-winner against the Denver Nuggets and the Lakers look a little better now going into the postseason.
The Suns are 6-0 in the bubble and I really can’t believe the run that they’re on. They’re going to play the Sixers as I’m typing this.
You can see that some players are starting to sit out now. There wasn’t much at stake between the Raptors and Bucks but Chris Boucher did go for 25 and 11.
That battle between Jimmy Butler and T.J. Warren disappointed to say the least. Warren really came crashing down with just 12 points as the Heat blew the Pacers out.
The Heat can be really no fun. They snuffed Jeremy Lin to really end Linsanity in 2012. Now they might have stopped T.J. Warren’s Bubble MVP run right in its tracks. Well, I guess unless Warren drops a 50-piece against them because they will have one more game in the bubble. Heck, maybe MORE if the seedings hold.
Ugh, Chennedy Carter got a sprained ankle early in their game against the Sun. The Sun would go on to take advantage and get their second win. But please recover quickly, Chennedy.
Diana Taurasi is not back yet (sorry for the bad pun) but the Mercury still have Brittney Griner and Skylar Diggins-Smith. They took care of biz against the Wings.
Even with Sue Bird out, Breanna Stewart is back to her MVP self and the Seattle Storm are really looking like the best team in the WNBA right now. They handled the Chicago Sky early and it was smooth sailing from there. Storm are now 7-1.
NBA Scoreboard
OKC 101 (43-27) v PHX 128 (32-39)
DAL 122 (43-30) v UTA 114 (43-28)
TOR 114 (51-19) v MIL 106 (55-16)
IND 92 (43-28) v MIA 114 (44-27)
DEN 121 (46-24) v LAL 124 (51-18)
Double U Scoreboard
CON 93 (2-6) v ATL 82 (2-6)
PHX 91 (5-3) v DAL 79 (3-5)
CHI 71 (5-3) v SEA 89 (7-1)
Watch This Play
As mentioned earlier, Kyle Kuzma made the game-winner against the Nuggets.
Así sí, Kuzma. 25 puntos y la canasta del partido. pic.twitter.com/TmluIanvno
— Gonzalo Vázquez (@GVazquezNY) August 11, 2020
That’s what the Lakers need from Kuzma.
I’m so happy that the people in the Bubble and the Wubble have had no positive tests recently. Continue to stay safe!
Rey-Rey is on Twitter at @TheNoLookPass.
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