2017/2018 NBA Preview

Most sports previews are a little cheesy and kind of boring, just giving general information and predicting team records. Here, we will change it up a bit and predict the winners of the highly coveted awards, such as MVP and Rookie of the Year. So, let’s begin!

MVP (Most Valuable Player): Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

After winning Most Improved Player last year, Giannis Antetokounmpo is due for another big year on what is expected to be a team on the rise. Antetokounmpo led the Bucks in every statistical offensive category last season and his workload should stay constant as the lone star player on the Bucks roster. Expect big things from the Greek Freak. With the rest of the top teams having multiple stars, he will have to carry the load for the Bucks.

Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

Leonard was probably a little upset (to say the least) after finishing third in this award last year, but being the star player for the Spurs and a small forward, he is tasked with guarding the best player on each team, each night. If he stays healthy and productive like the Leonard fans have come to expect, he should be in prime position to win this award.

Most Improved Player: Dennis Schroder, Atlanta Hawks

Dennis Schroder is not a household name and has hidden in the shadows behind Jeff Teague, Paul Millsap, and Al Horford in recent years. Now, all three of those players are gone and this is Schroder’s team to lead. Playing the majority of every game provides him with maximum opportunities to go out and prove himself every night.

Sixth Man of the Year: Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets (Courtesy Sam Reel)

When the Rockets acquired Chris Paul from the Clippers this offseason, last season’s Sixth Man of the Year, Eric Gordon, was put back on the bench after being an expected starter. Last season Gordon averaged 16.2 points per game, and should average that or more this season, making him a top scoring option off the bench for the Rockets. If Gordon can continue to score with the efficiency of last season, he will go back to back as Sixth Man of the Year.

Rookie of the Year: De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings

Fox comes from Kentucky under John Calipari, a system known for producing the best NBA-ready talent among college teams. The Kings drafted Fox into the perfect situation where he can thrive immediately as he gets a chance to run the team from day one and quickly adjust to the flow of the NBA. This will help him develop the flow more quickly and to be able to use it over the majority of the season, giving him the best chance to win this award.

Coach of the Year: Brett Brown, Philadelphia 76ers

With all of the past years top draft picks, the 76ers are long overdue for a breakout year, and after late success last season, this will be the year they turn it around. Led by Markelle Fultz, Ben Simmons, and Joel Embiid, the Sixers have a young core that with good coaching from Brown, will surely make the playoffs in the weak Eastern Conference.