2018/2019 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

Our (incorrect) selection from last year, Antetokounmpo, should be due for another big year on what is expected to be a team on the rise in a weak Eastern Conference without Lebron James. 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. We guarantee to be right this year.

Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

Anthony Davis leads the Pelicans in almost every statistical category and solidified himself as one of the top players in the league on both sides of the court. Davis is not only a walking double-double, but with his long wingspan, is near the top of the NBA in blocks every season. Expect Davis to carry the Pelicans; he will need to be a constant force on the defensive end if the Pelicans want to sneak into the playoffs.

Most Improved Player: Gordon Hayward, Boston Celtics

We all know what happened to Hayward last season on opening night against the Cleveland Cavaliers, as he suffered a devastating, season-ending ankle injury that made benches clear in agony. After a long road of recovery and rehab, Hayward is ready to get back on the court and finally play with his new Celtic teammates after only playing one quarter with them last season. Hayward is known as a sharpshooter and will fit in perfectly with a deep Celtics team destined to make a Finals appearance after the departure of Lebron James from their conference foes, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Sixth Man of the Year: Pascal Siakam, Toronto Raptors

If you do not know the name Pascal Siakam, you are not alone as last year was a breakout season for the New Mexico State graduate. As a member of Toronto’s “Bench Mob,” Siakam is a smooth, versatile scorer who specializes on the defensive end with his length and athleticism, allowing him to guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player. Expect a larger role for Siakam as Toronto’s sixth man, on whom the Raptors will rely heavily on in order to repeat last season’s success.

Rookie of the Year: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Doncic, who was the third overall pick in this year’s draft, hails from the Euro league, playing for Real Madrid since the age of 13. Also a member of the Slovenian National Team, Doncic provides valuable experience that a typical rookie does not possess. As a natural scorer with great vision, he will offer an immediate jolt of energy to an aging Mavericks squad. If Doncic plays anything like he did in the NBA preseason, Mavericks fans will come crawling back to American Airlines Arena to see the young European star, who is replacing the legendary Dirk Nowitzki.

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics

Brad Stevens boasts the most talented team in the Eastern Conference led by Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, with young stars Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Stevens is not only a mastermind when it comes to designing plays to exploit advantageous matchups, but is known as a player’s coach who values his players’ opinions by mixing in modern approaches to the game. The combination of Stevens ability to draw up plays and the great environment make him poised to lead the Celtics to an Eastern Conference Championship, barring any major injuries.