We are just over the halfway mark of the NBA season and some players have taken strong leads over the rest of the pack in individual award categories. While these players will be crowned at the end of the season, things may have turned out slightly differently so far.
The current NBA season is on hold due to the Coronavirus, and there are clear doubts about whether the season will go on. Nonetheless, there should be clear winners for every major NBA Award this season. It is time to declare the mid-season awards winners for all the major individual awards for the 2019-2020 NBA season.
Coach of the Year: Frank Vogel
Win-Loss Record: 49-14
The Lakers are the best team in the West and currently hold the second-best record in the NBA. This is no surprise when a team has two top-five talents in the form of LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the squad.
The Lakers are long, talented, experienced, and play solid defense every single night. At the helm is Frank Vogel, the current favorite and mid-season winner of the Coach Of The Year Award.
Vogel has always been known as a defensive master dating back to his time with Indiana, yet there were many critics when he was appointed head coach of the Lakers this year. He may not have been the flashier name on the market, but he was clearly the right choice and he should win Coach Of The Year.
Rookie of the Year: Ja Morant
17.6 PPG, 6.9 APG, 3.5 RPG, 0.9 SPG
Morant has been the best rookie this season, and it will be unfair to give it to Zion Williamson even with the latter’s impressive performances this year. Morant has been healthy and productive since the first game of the season and even had Memphis looking like a playoff team at one point.
His numbers are solid, and he has already shown he can be a leader on a team despite his young age. His production has been so impressive, that LeBron James has stated on multiple occasions that he is impressed with the youngster’s leadership and ability on the court.
Morsmts’ future is very bright, and he should hold out for the award ahead of Zion Williamson mainly because Zion was injured for a few months.
Most Improved Player of the Year: Devonte’ Graham
18.2 PPG, 7.5 APG, 3.4 RPG
Graham has seen his numbers go all the way up, as the best player for the struggling Hornets this season. He has formed a productive partnership with the newly acquired Terry Rozier and has shown the ability to score and be a primary playmaker for his squad.
Graham is putting up MIP numbers, especially considering his production last season. Graham only averaged 4.7 PPG without any real impact. In fact, he seemed to be destined for a deep bench role without any chance to get his name out there.
But now, Graham is primed for winning his first NBA Award and possibly a max contract down the line if he keeps this up. Graham’s three-point shooting (37.3%) has especially been a revelation for Charlotte, who could use all the talent they can get.
Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams
18.7 PPG, 5.7 APG, 3.1 RPG
It is official that Lou is the best scoring sixth man of all time. As a matter of fact, Lou has become the closer and most prolific clutch scorer for the Clippers. Even on a team with the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, opposing NBA defenses seem to have the most trouble coping with Lou’s instant offense off the bench.
Williams is clearly talented enough to start on any NBA team, and the fact that he has to deal with secondary talent when he enters the game makes him extremely valuable.
Williams is putting up another solid year and seems to be getting better with age. It is only right that he is crowned the Sixth Man Of The Year for the fourth time in his career.
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis
26.7 PPG, 9.4 RPG, 3.1 APG, 2.4 BPG, 1.5 SPG
Davis is an offensive superstar, but his defense is arguably just as good as his scoring ability. Davis is solidifying himself as one of the very best two-way players in the game, joining the likes of Kawhi Leonard and Giannis Antetokounmpo for his production on both ends of the floor.
Davis is putting up over 2 blocks per game and is the main reason the Lakers have a third-ranked defense in the league. Davis is a handful on offense and just a complete specialist on defense.
Davis has yet to win a Defensive Player Of The Year Award, and this season might be his opportunity to win it. As a matter of fact, he should win it.
Most Valuable Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
29.6 PPG, 13.7 RPG, 5.8 APG, 1.0 SPG, 1.0 BPG
Giannis is the MVP right now, no matter how close LeBron James has gotten the last few games before the league was put on suspension. Giannis is the best player on the best team in the league, the criteria that most MVP Award winners are judged by.
His numbers are spectacular once again, ranking third in points and third in rebounds in the entire NBA. He is also the most dominant player in the East and a top-five player in the game. Without him, the Bucks would probably be in the lottery and that goes to show you how spectacular this young man is.
He will soon be joining the ranks of the elite by winning two straight MVP Awards. If the season does continue, the Bucks might even find themselves in the NBA Finals.
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