NBA Awards Watch: Gauging The Races Through December

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May 11, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; NBA commissioner Adam Silver (left) presents Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30, right) the MVP trophy before game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Portland Trail Blazers at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

With 2016 in the books, it’s time to get serious about the NBA awards. Who are the frontrunners in the race for MVP and the other hardware to be handed out in New York on June 26?

While the hottest takes regarding NBA awards have the MVP trophy handed out 12 times before halftime on opening night in October, some of us prefer the slower, more patient approach (I know, bor-ing!!!!) to figuring out where the hardware should go during the NBA Playoffs at the NBA Awards Show on June 26 in New York.

With the midway point of the season approaching and the 2016 portion of the season now in the books, it’s a good time to get serious about looking at the contenders and frontrunners for Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and … of course .. Most Valuable Player.

In the process, the methodology for the selections will be explained. As is the case with everyone with a real vote for these awards, my criteria for selection will differ from yours and those of others. Since the NBA leaves the definitions amorphous, at best, (or in some cases, nonexistent), ultimately these become judgment calls.

This will be the first of four looks at the awards races, with monthly views coming again at the end of January, February and March.

Also See: 50 Greatest NBA Players Of The 1980s

With each of the awards, we’ll focus on my top three contenders and name a few others that should be in the conversation.