MVP: LeBron James (Cavaliers)
In a career full of wildly productive seasons, 2017-18 is a contender for his most jaw-dropping since his first stint in Cleveland, if not ever. Carrying a team of aging, lackadaisical role players to a 50-win season that culminated in a NBA Finals appearance that seemed like a laughable pipe dream as recently as mid-April while remaining efficient (54.2 FG%, 36.7 3PG%, career-high 9.1 APG) and not showing any signs of decline or notable fatigue at age 33 is the type of unreal feat that reminds you of just how great James truly is.
Honorable Mentions: Anthony Davis (Pelicans), James Harden (Rockets), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens (Celtics)
I'm sorry, I just can't see the case for Dwane Casey. Even with a significantly improved second unit, a staring lineup full of veteran talent and no notable injuries to speak of, Casey's Raptors still wilted come playoff time-which resulted in him getting unceremoniously fired by the team following their latest embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers. On the other hand, Stevens managed to overcome a pair of perceived season-derailing injuries to both of his team's All-Stars (Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving) and other injuries of varying significance to key rotational players (Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, Daniel Theis, Shane Larkin) to take an undermanned team that predominantly consisted of unproven young players with little-to-no playoff experience all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Honorable Mentions: Quin Snyder (Jazz), Nate McMillan (Pacers), Dwane Casey (Raptors)
I'm sorry, I just can't see the case for Dwane Casey. Even with a significantly improved second unit, a staring lineup full of veteran talent and no notable injuries to speak of, Casey's Raptors still wilted come playoff time-which resulted in him getting unceremoniously fired by the team following their latest embarrassing sweep at the hands of the Cavaliers. On the other hand, Stevens managed to overcome a pair of perceived season-derailing injuries to both of his team's All-Stars (Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving) and other injuries of varying significance to key rotational players (Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Marcus Morris, Daniel Theis, Shane Larkin) to take an undermanned team that predominantly consisted of unproven young players with little-to-no playoff experience all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals.
Honorable Mentions: Quin Snyder (Jazz), Nate McMillan (Pacers), Dwane Casey (Raptors)
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
The Brow's ability on the defensive end have always been overlooked because of his unique, lethal offensive skill set, but after his absurd 2017-18 campaign, that might not be the case for much longer. Davis made life hell for anyone that tried to drive inside against the Pelicans with his physical presence around the rim and elite shot-swatting ability (his 2.6 blocks per game led the league).
The Brow's ability on the defensive end have always been overlooked because of his unique, lethal offensive skill set, but after his absurd 2017-18 campaign, that might not be the case for much longer. Davis made life hell for anyone that tried to drive inside against the Pelicans with his physical presence around the rim and elite shot-swatting ability (his 2.6 blocks per game led the league).
Honorable Mentions: Rudy Gobert (Jazz), Joel Embiid (76ers), Clint Capela (Rockets)
Rookie of the Year: Donovan Mitchell (Jazz)
Ben Simmons had the triple doubles and nonstop hype, but I'll take the "real" rookie any day of the week. Mitchell's killer instinct, scoring prowess (20.4 PPG, good for 25th in the league) and veteran-esque calmness in clutch situations made him the electric playmaker this defensive-minded Jazz team desperately needed to earn their second consecutive playoff berth in the ultracompetitive Western Conference.
Ben Simmons had the triple doubles and nonstop hype, but I'll take the "real" rookie any day of the week. Mitchell's killer instinct, scoring prowess (20.4 PPG, good for 25th in the league) and veteran-esque calmness in clutch situations made him the electric playmaker this defensive-minded Jazz team desperately needed to earn their second consecutive playoff berth in the ultracompetitive Western Conference.
Honorable Mentions: Ben Simmons (76ers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Lauri Markkanen (Bulls)
Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams (Clippers)
You could make an argument that he started too many games (19) to be eligible for this award, but Williams' brilliance throughout this season can't be denied. The 31-year old journeyman guard emerged as a reliable offensive force, averaging career highs in points (22.6) and assists (5.3), for a Clippers squad that was in constant flux thanks to a rash of injuries (too many to list, but basically every other player of note besides DeAndre Jordan missed at least 20 games) and the shocking mid-season trade of star power forward Blake Griffin.
You could make an argument that he started too many games (19) to be eligible for this award, but Williams' brilliance throughout this season can't be denied. The 31-year old journeyman guard emerged as a reliable offensive force, averaging career highs in points (22.6) and assists (5.3), for a Clippers squad that was in constant flux thanks to a rash of injuries (too many to list, but basically every other player of note besides DeAndre Jordan missed at least 20 games) and the shocking mid-season trade of star power forward Blake Griffin.
Honorable Mentions: Fred VanVleet (Raptors), Eric Gordon (Rockets), Will Barton (Nuggets)
Most Improved Player: Victor Oladipo (Pacers)
It's amazing what a change in scenery can do for a young player. After a three-year sentence in the basketball death pit otherwise known as the Orlando Magic followed by a brief stint as a middling bystander to Russell Westbrook's heroball antics in Oklahoma City, Oladipo finally blossomed into the two-way force he was projected to be when he was drafted second overall in the 2013 upon arriving in Indiana as a presumed afterthought in the Paul George trade. Oladipo's well-rounded, often dominant play helped a Pacers team that was widely projected to be a doormat establish a strong team chemistry and sense of resiliency that resulted in them shocking the league with a 48-win season.
It's amazing what a change in scenery can do for a young player. After a three-year sentence in the basketball death pit otherwise known as the Orlando Magic followed by a brief stint as a middling bystander to Russell Westbrook's heroball antics in Oklahoma City, Oladipo finally blossomed into the two-way force he was projected to be when he was drafted second overall in the 2013 upon arriving in Indiana as a presumed afterthought in the Paul George trade. Oladipo's well-rounded, often dominant play helped a Pacers team that was widely projected to be a doormat establish a strong team chemistry and sense of resiliency that resulted in them shocking the league with a 48-win season.
Honorable Mentions: Clint Capela (Rockets), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets)
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