NBA 2020–21 Pre-Season Awards
By: Adrian Walker
Tags: NBA, Nba Season Preview, Nba Awards, Analysis, Nba Pre Season

It’s the dawn of a new day. The NBA is back.

Every year before the NBA season wakes up, the big-time sports media companies have their League Insiders publish pre-season awards.

This year is no different, and if the ESPN Top 100 players in the NBA is any indication, you may be run amuck, misled, and run astray.

Not to fear.

Every year, between the time the big-time league insiders release their articles and the NBA season gets underway, we, Josh and Adrian, have a super in-depth conversation detailing who we think the fans should ACTUALLY look out for.

This year that conversation cannot be had in person. Cue sad face. So, we typed it up. Cue happy face.

If you are performing a last-minute fantasy basketball draft, or you just want to catch up on all the happenings before the season starts, this is your guide to which players will dominate this year, which ones will improve, which ones will defend, which rookies will stand out…you get the point. It’s our pre-season awards.

Buckle up.

To be clear, the forthcoming opinions are just that, opinions. While there will be stats involved to back arguments, nothing in this article should be taken too seriously.

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Adrian: Anthony Davis

Following his first title run, Davis’ name is currently subject to over projection. As such, this year he will earn his first MVP.

Consensus among many NBA heads is that Davis is better than Giannis Antetokounmpo, the now two-time reigning MVP. While this idea is incorrect, and a whole separate argument, Davis does have one thing going for him.

Giannis doesn’t have a LeBron.

While I do not believe that LeBron is still the best player in the world, that title lands with Kevin Durant if he is indeed healthy, LeBron is the most intelligent player on the planet.

He provides a secondary scoring punch to AD’s lead and is maybe the best on-ball creator for his teammates that we have in the league (Chris Paul might have a thing to say about that in Phoenix this year).

In year one with Anthony Davis, they won a title. LeBron might be a little older, a little slower, and a little less prolific this season, but that only opens the door of opportunity for Davis.

He could average upwards of 30 points per game, 10 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks and 2 steals, while doing so at an extremely efficient clip.

Fully in his prime now, AD4MVP is in full effect.

Honorable Mentions: Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Ben Simmons

Josh: Luka Doncic

When I first sat down and thought this award through, like Adrian, I had visions of Anthony Davis raising the MVP trophy dancing through my head. The Brow seems primed to win the league’s most prestigious award after coming off his first championship. However, I think voters will have a hard time voting for Davis when they are still unsure if he is the most valuable player on his team.

It’s likely that some voters will still consider LeBron James the most important part of the Lakers core, which will detract from Davis’ MVP case.

There is also a high likelihood of Giannis putting up similar if not better stats than what he did last year which secured him back-to-back MVPs. But much like we saw in LeBron’s career, voter fatigue is a real thing, and it is entirely possible that voters won’t care to crown the Greek Freak a third time in a row.

Insert third-year sensation Luka Doncic.

Doncic exploded onto the scene in his first year and followed that up with a sensational second season that thrust him into the top-five players in the league conversation. The Euro League product continues to improve in every offensive metric and led one of the most historically efficient offenses last season in Dallas. It’s not far-fetched that Doncic could average a triple-double this season if he locks in for a Mavericks team that improved its roster this offseason.

If Doncic can secure a top-5 seed for Dallas this season, he should be holding his first of many MVP trophies.

Honorable Mentions: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Stephen Curry, Anthony Davis

Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY)

Josh: Jrue Holiday

There are good wing defenders, and then there is Jrue Holiday. Holiday has earned the title as the best wing-defender in the NBA by both the players and front offices.

Night in and night out in New Orleans, Holiday drew the opposing teams best guard, often facing the likes of Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, and James Harden to name just a few of the offensive juggernauts he faced in the Western Conference. Not only did he take on the challenge, he excelled at limiting these forces, earning All-NBA defensive team honors in 2018 and 2019.

Now in Milwaukee, Holiday joins the top ranked defensive squad in the NBA last season, and the reigning DPOY in Antetokounmpo. While the east still boasts elite guards in Kyrie Irving and Kemba Walker, Holiday will enjoy a much easier group of competition in Milwaukee.

With strong defensive anchors in Antetokounmpo and Brook Lopez behind him, expect Holiday to be aggressive on the less glamorous end of the game. I believe he could lead the league in steals in 2020, along with stealing this award away from the big men that typically dominate this category.

Adrian: Ben Simmons

I am hard pressed not to put Jrue Holiday here, who is one of my favorite players in the NBA and was voted by the players as the best wing defender in the league last season.

But I am going with Ben Simmons.

Why?

Well, for his career he has averaged 1.7 steals and nearly a block per game. Last season those averages stood at 2.1 steals and 0.6 blocks per game. His defensive win shares have worryingly taken a drop every single season in his career, but so too has his usage rate.

I honestly find it shocking that in former head coach Brett Brown’s system, Ben Simmons never eclipsed a usage rate of 23%.

For a point guard that controls your offense, and I would argue the focal point of your defense, that number is staggeringly low. That should change with Doc Rivers at the helm.

I expect an increase in minutes and a usage rate that should eclipse the 25% mark. As a result, this could be a career year for Simmons and one that has him in the conversation for MIP, but more importantly, has him winning DPOY.

He is already so good and is still so young. It would be disappointing if he doesn’t take a leap this year.

Honorable Mentions: Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, Rudy Gobert

Most Improved Player (MIP)

Adrian: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

This admittedly is a biased choice. As the resident OKC Thunder fan in North Carolina, I am obliged to choose SGA over everybody else.

With that being said, there is plenty of reason to go around to support my fervor.

For starters, if you haven’t been paying any attention to the NBA off-season, let’s just say almost everything went through OKC.

Chris Paul? Gone to Phoenix. Dennis Schroder? Gone to LAL. Danilo Gallinari? Gone to Atlanta. Steven Adams? Gone to New Orleans. Nerlens Noel? Gone to New York.

This leaves SGA as the cornerstone piece for a full rebuild. And this year, despite the incoming support of Al Horford, Trevor Ariza, and others, SGA is going to have to carry a heavy load. A really heavy load.

It’s not overexaggerating to expect a 25/9/7 sort of stat line from SGA this season. Compared to his 19/6/3 stat line from last year, it would be ludicrous to propose any other player for this award.

The distance between SGA and the honorable mentions is a sizable one.

Honorable Mentions: Bam Adebayo, Ben Simmons, Coby White

Josh: Deandre Ayton

Give me all of the Deandre Ayton stock in the world before this season.

Phoenix is coming off an electric showing at the Orlando bubble, despite not even making it into the playoffs. The bright future Suns gave us a glimpse of what they can achieve when they all buy into Monty Williams system.

The star of this team is still undoubtedly Devin Booker, and even new addition Chris Paul will steal some of the attention in his first year in the desert. However, for the Suns to reach their full potential, it’s going to come from the third-year big man that they selected first overall. Ayton has watched as Doncic and Trae Young, both players selected after him, have dominated the NBA while he has struggled to garner the same praise.

But it’s not from a lack of production, as Ayton may have put up the quietest 18 point and 11 rebound season last year. He even showed us glimpses of his expanding three-point game and even added in 1.5 blocks per contest last year.

With CP3 running some point in Phoenix this year, we could see Ayton’s scoring numbers rise as he plays a role similar to what Deandre Jordan played in the pick-and-roll for the Lob City Clippers. If the Suns can grab a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference and Ayton improves on his stats, we will see the MIP on its way to the desert.

Rookie of the Year (ROTY)

Josh: LaMelo Ball

I want to slot Obi Toppin into this award so bad, but with Julius Randle still clogging his way in New York, and a franchise that seems to be unable to stay out of its own way I hesitate to put the explosive scorer in here. I’m sorry Knicks fans, did that seem harsh? You still stole the draft with Toppin falling that far.

Among the other top rookies selected, there aren’t a lot of ideal situations for this year’s rookies to compete for the award. The Warriors will be vying for a playoff spot, which could limit how much of James Weisman we see. Anthony Edwards won’t get enough touches in Minnesota behind Russell and KAT. Even players like Deni Avdija and Patrick Williams seem like long-term potential picks, rather than true contributors right now.

With all that said, it’s the LaMelo Ball show in Charlotte this year. Four games into the preseason, and that is already clear as Ball has actually made Charlotte a fun team to watch again, which is the first time since Walker and big man Al Jefferson led the Bobcats to the playoffs in 2016.

The third Ball brother may not wow you immediately with his scoring, as he still has some mechanics to figure out, but it’s everything else he does that will leave fans and media members amazed. His passing and vision seem to rival his brother Lonzo’s, he can grab some big-time boards at 6’8, and his knack for finishing at the rim is impressive.

I believe if Charlotte is willing to hand over the keys to the rookie this year, we are primed to see something special.

Adrian: LaMelo Ball

There isn’t a ton of evidence that I base this argument on.

It’s almost purely eye-test from the pre-season, and oh so many years ago, Anthony Bennett passed the eye test while playing in the pre-season…so take this evaluation as you will.

But, moving beyond the small sample size, LaMelo really looks like the real deal.

Some of the passes he completed this pre-season are assists that only a select few players in the NBA I trust to complete right now. We’re talking Chris Paul, LeBron James and Ben Simmons. That’s it.

The hype that Lonzo garnered a few years ago is the hype that LaMelo should have gotten.

To supply some numbers that support the eye test, in the pre-season (again small sample size) Ball averaged about 11 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a little over 21 minutes per game.

Who’s to say how many minutes Ball gets this year, but per 36, those pre-season numbers translate to 18.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. That’s a stat line that rivals the season Ja Morant put together last year.

I’m very high on this rook, and I think Charlotte got a good one.

Honorable Mentions: James Wiseman, Cole Anthony, Tyrese Haliburton*

*Note: Haliburton is easily my favorite rookie from this class. If he gets starter minutes in Sacramento, this opinion is subject to change. But the likelihood is he plays behind Buddy Hield and DeAaron Fox this season.

Sixth Man of the Year (6MOTY)

Adrian: Spencer Dinwiddie

Spencer Dinwiddie is a starter in this league. There are faults in his game, but he deserves a shot to help run a team.

Until then, he will continue to backup Kyrie Irving.

He should have a very similar season to what Dennis Schroder had for Oklahoma City last year.

With the way the league has shifted this offseason though, I wouldn’t be surprised if a name comes out of nowhere to run away with this award.

Honorable Mentions: Lou Williams, Montrezl Harrell, Eric Bledsoe

Josh: Danilo Gallinari

On paper, Atlanta could be a very good team this year, especially in a weak Eastern conference. But while the team made a number of impressive signings, it’s going to be up to players like Young and John Collins to step up and take this team to the next level.

The Hawks were among the youngest teams in the league last year, and the lack of veteran leadership on the team caused the young core to go through some struggles. With the additions of Rajon Rondo, Bojan Bogdonovic and Danilo Gallinari, the rebuilding Hawks just sped up their timetable.

Gallinari is likely to be relegated to the bench with the team invested in John Collins at the four-spot, but if that’s your sixth man, you’re in a good position.

The 13-year vet from Italy had an amazing year with the OKC Thunder who shocked the league securing a playoff spot and giving the Houston Rockets a run for their money in the first round. Gallinari averaged nearly 19 points per game, along with five boards and two assists. He also knocked down 40% of his three-point attempts last year, on over seven attempts per game. With floor generals in Young and Rondo likely dishing to him behind the arc, it shouldn’t be hard for the stretch big-man to match his production from a year ago.

Gallinari should bolster a strong second unit that could separate the Hawks from many of the fringe playoff teams in the East this year.

Coach of the Year (COTY)

Josh: Doc Rivers

It’s no secret that Philadelphia severely underperformed the past few seasons under Brett Brown considering the immense talent the team had put together through the draft and free agency.

This looks like it’s the 76ers last shot to figure out the Embiid-Simmons experiment before the front office is forced to blow it up and trade away an egregious amount of assets for James Harden. I for one want to see the dynamic combo work it out, because when those two are at their best they are among the best duos in the game.

With Brown now fired, the 76ers got their guy in Doc Rivers. While Rivers has struggled to finish the job in LA, this is a new start in a conference that is up for grabs.

This year’s team seems to have much more spacing with the additions of Danny Green and Seth Curry, as compared to last year when the paint seemed like an overcrowded party with Embiid, Simmons and Horford all vying for touches inside.

If Rivers can figure out how to get the most of this pair while snagging a top-three finish in the conference, he may be adding his second coach of the year trophy to his shelf 20 years later.

Adrian: Monty Williams (PHX Suns)

I have more bias here. When Monty Williams was an assistant coach in Oklahoma City a few years back he lost his wife. It was an incredibly hard time for him, and Oklahoma City mourned alongside him.

Ever since, I have felt a little closer to Monty Williams than most other coaches.

Beyond that, Monty Williams is a phenomenal coach. That was on display last season when the Suns went undefeated in the NBA Bubble in Orlando. The man can coach.

And now he gets Chris Paul to plug alongside Devin Booker and DeAndre Ayton. It should be a good year for Phoenix, and a lot of that will be due to William’s steady presence for this team.

TO CLOSE

Maybe you agree with these choices. Maybe not.

Maybe you needed some insight into the new season.

But there is one thing that is certain. It’s a good day. The NBA is back.