Christmas is upon us and NBA fans can't wait to open up a new season. As the clock ticks closer to the New Year, so does a fresh set of NBA awards. Here are my predictions as to who will walk away from the 2020-21 season with new hardware.
MVP
- Anthony Davis- The Lakers were in a tier of their own last season and the dominant big man had a lot to do with that. Davis added a silky smooth three-point shot which he displayed in the preseason. If AD can consistently knock down threes he'll be unstoppable and on his way to the first MVP award given to a Laker since Kobe Bryant in 2008.
Defensive POY
- Bam Adebayo- The 23 year old big man, is coming off his best season in the league and has shown substantial improvement each year. Bam brings a high level of energy to the floor which allows him to disrupt passes and block shots. His youth and durability make him a candidate to play the full 72 game season and stuff the stat sheet at both ends of the floor.
Rookie of the Year
- Isaac Okoro- After being selected 5th overall in the Draft, Okoro has displayed plenty of ability during the condensed NBA preseason. Dropping 18 points and a game winning layup in his debut, the Auburn product has been getting minutes at multiple positions. His versatility and defensive skillset should provide him with plenty of opportunity this season, while many rookies will be struggling to find playing time due to the lack of a full offseason.
Sixth Man Award
- Jordan Clarkson- Traded midseason last year, Clarkson quickly found his groove with the Jazz, prompting them to give him a four-year deal worth $52 million. This kind of investment suggests he will have a significant role for a team that has Donovan Mitchell and Mike Conley. I see Clarkson being deployed in similar fashion to Lou Williams, allowing him to feast on second units and score at will.
Most Improved Player
- Michael Porter Jr.- Finally healthy, the young forward is ready to play his first full season. Porter exploded on the scene during the NBA Bubble, and we got to see why he was projected to be a high draft choice in 2018 before slipping to the Nuggets due to injuries. Paul Millsap is nearing the end of his career and Jerami Grant signed with the Pistons, leaving plenty of opportunity at the Power Forward position in Denver.
Tyler Valdez
Twitter - @tyylerv
