Stephen Curry drives past Rudy Gobert. (Photo : Getty Images/George Frey )
The NBA season is nearing its conclusion as playoff-bound teams are now getting ready for their campaign to win the NBA championship this year. Also, fans are most curious if their favorite players will be recognized for their hard work during the regular season. Hence, here are the favorites to win each individual awards this season.
Starting with the Defensive Player of the Year award, experts from SB Nation Paul Flannery and Tom Ziller made a unanimous decision for Kawhi Leonard to bring home the award. Should this come to fruition, he will be bagging the award for two consecutive seasons.
Coming in at second is Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who is also the runner-up in last year's voting for the award. Lastly, Hawks' frontcourt duo Al Horford and Paul Millsap are voted for the third spot as they were vital to the team's interior defense all-year long.
Moving on to the Rookie of the Year award, Minnesota Timberwolves' center Karl-Anthony towns is the runaway winner as he has been averaging double-double the entire season with 18 points and 10 rebounds a game.
Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis comes in at second place as he has been phenomenal in his own right. First labeled as a bust by Knicks fan, they now see him as one of their franchise's cornerstone. Then, coming in at third is Heat forward, Justise Winslow. Although 76ers Okafor can be argued to be a frontrunner, that is just how good this rookie class is, the report added.
Meanwhile, CBS Sports listed Stephen Curry as the MVP, much like any other poll right now. The sharpshooting point-guard led his team to an astounding 72-9 record and has the chance to break the 95-96 Chicago Bulls record of 72-10.
For the Most Improved Player award, Portland Trailblazers' guard C.J. McCollum is currently the favorite to win it after having such a breakout season. Meanwhile, Bucks' point forward Giannis Antetokounmpo comes in at second.
For the Head Coach of the year award, Portland TrailBlazers' Terry Stotts is the favorite since the Blazers were projected as a rebuilding team and will be irrelevant for the next few seasons. But, they proved everybody wrong and are now sitting at the sixth spot in the playoff picture as of this writing.
Here is another NBA awards 2016 prediction courtesy of YouTube user AFunkyDiabetic.
