Hoops Habit
Fansided

NBA Awards Watch: Week 12

By Jared Brownlee

Jan 17, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2014; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder small forward Kevin Durant (35) handles the ball against Golden State Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala (9) during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

This is week 12 of the 2013-14 regular season edition of HoopsHabit’s NBA Awards Watch. Throughout the season, we cover the potential winners for each award. Make sure to check back every Monday for the up-to-date projections.

Most Valuable Player

  1. Kevin Durant
  2. LeBron James
  3. Paul George

Is this even up for discussion? The Durantula is averaging 37.2 PPG over the last nine games with Russell Westbrook sidelined, including a 54-point showing against the Warriors on Friday. People seem to think that James is “coasting” this season because his numbers are down from last year, but if any other players put up his numbers, they would be considered spectacular. He’s averaging 29.6 PPG over the last five games. George is top 10 in scoring and the Pacers have the league’s best record at 32-7.

Most Improved Player

  1. Anthony Davis
  2. Lance Stephenson
  3. Andre Drummond

With Eric Bledsoe still injured, Davis takes over the top spot. He’s become a double-double machine for the Pelicans, averaging 20.1 PPG and 10.4 RPG. Davis scored 31 points against the Warriors, his second-highest output this season. In his fourth season, Stephenson is making a strong case for the All-Star Game and is no longer just known for giving James the choke sign in the playoffs two seasons ago. He was three assists shy of a triple-double against the Clippers on Saturday and scored a season-high 28 points versus the Knicks on Thursday. Drummond has been a model of consistency for the Pistons inside and he’s now top five in rebounding and top 10 in blocks.

Rookie of the Year

  1. Michael Carter-Williams
  2. Trey Burke
  3. Victor Oladipo

Carter-Williams’s scoring has fluctuated this season but he’s still showcasing his well-rounded game and has been the most consistent of all the rookies, averaging 17.0 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 6.7 APG. Burke finished with double-doubles in back-to-back games against the Spurs and the Pistons. In a triple overtime defeat against the Bulls, Oladipo erupted for 35 points, four rebounds and eight assists.

Sixth Man of the Year

  1. Jamal Crawford
  2. Nick Young
  3. Dion Waiters

Crawford has upped his scoring to more than 17 PPG, dropping 29 against the Knicks and 22 against the Pacers. After serving his one-game suspension, Young returned Sunday to help the Lakers beat the Raptors scoring 29 points off the bench. He’s now averaging 16.4 PPG. In a reserve role for the majority of the season, the 22-year-old Waiters is averaging 14.8 PPG for the Cavaliers.

Defensive Player of the Year

  1. Anthony Davis
  2. Roy Hibbert
  3. DeAndre Jordan

Davis had a quiet week with blocks but he’s still the league-leader with 2.9 BPG. Ranked second in blocks is Hibbert, who had five against the Clippers. Jordan is good for 13.7 RPG, best in the NBA.