This is the first week of the 2013-14 regular season edition of HoopsHabit’s NBA Awards Watch. Throughout the season, we will cover the potential winners for each award. Make sure to check back every Monday for the up-to-date projections.
Most Valuable Player
Paul, the leading MVP candidate, is also leading the league in scoring after three games. (NBA.com photo)
1. Chris Paul
2. Kevin Love
3. Kevin Durant
Paul was spectacular in the matchup against Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors, placing the burden on himself to take over instead of creating for others as much and finished with 42 points, 15 assists and six steals. He’s also leading the league in scoring after three games. As one of the sleepers in the MVP discussion, Love has simply dominated this season. He’s been clutch, a disruptive force as a rebounder (14.5 a game) and his PER is a ridiculous 34.96. With how he is playing right now, Minnesota is destined for the playoffs, evidenced by their 19-point beatdown of Oklahoma City. Durant, who just got his sidekick in Russell Westbrook back, scored 42 points in the first game of the season as if it was nothing (22 free throw attempts). Though he’s off to a slow start, he’s expected to be in line for a potential 50-40-90 season.
Most Improved Player
Davis’ big preseason has translated quite well into the beginning of the regular season. (NBA.com photo)
1. Anthony Davis
2. Eric Bledsoe
3. Klay Thompson
The young Davis, the top pick in the 2012 draft, is beginning to live up to his potential and he’s made the strongest case for Most Improved Player. Davis is off to a sensational start this season, averaging 23.7 points, 12.3 rebounds and 4.0 blocks with a 31.99 PER and leads New Orleans in points, rebounds, steals and blocks. He’s doing it all for the Pelicans. Now seemingly ready to be the focal point of a team, Bledsoe has shown big-time talent and has a bright future ahead of him (along with a big payday). He’s got the total package: athleticism, scoring ability, can create for others (14 assists against Oklahoma City) and he plays defense. He’s just 23 years old and Phoenix will regret not reaching an agreement on an extension with him before he hits restricted free agency in the offseason. Thompson got off to a quick start this season, scoring 38 points in 31 minutes against the Los Angeles Lakers in the Warriors’ home opener. After three games, he’s averaging 25 points a game with a PER of 24.87.
Rookie of the Year
What does MCW stand for? Is it “Magic” Carter-Williams? (NBA.com photo)
1. Michael Carter-Williams
2. Victor Oladipo
3. Vitor Faverani
Without question, the biggest surprise of the first week of the season has been Carter-Williams and the undefeated (3-0) Philadelphia 76ers. Tanking in Philadelphia? Not so fast. MCW has been stellar in all three games and leads all rookies in scoring. Oladipo’s solid overall week (12.0 PPG, 5.0 RPG, 4.0 APG) has helped Orlando win back to back games in blowouts against New Orleans and Brooklyn. Faverani had a huge game against Milwaukee (12 points, 18 rebounds, 6 blocks), showcasing his defensive ability, and trails only Carter-Williams in scoring among rookies.
Defensive Player of the Year
He’s 7’2″, 290 pounds, and he leads the league in shot-blocking.(NBA.com photo)
1. Roy Hibbert
2. Anthony Davis
3. Dwight Howard
Hibbert is the league’s best shot-blocker at 4.67 per game and continues to show his improvement on the defensive end of the floor. Davis is extremely active and is always around the ball, being one of the only big men to finish amongst the top 15 players in steals, and he also blocks four shots a game. We may be witnessing the resurgence of Howard dominating the defensive end on a nightly basis. Though he is only averaging 1.67 blocks per game, Houston is undefeated and Howard is leading the league in rebounding with 17 a game, 2.5 more than his closest competitor.
Sixth Man of the Year
It’s no surprise J-Crossover is a top sixth man candidate still at 33 years old.(NBA.com photo)
1. Jamal Crawford
2. Jeremy Lin
3. Tony Wroten
It’s not a surprise Crawford is averaging 16.7 points per game off the bench for the Los Angeles Clippers and at 33 years of age he is still instant offense. Lin was demoted to the bench to start the season, but after Patrick Beverley partially tore an abdominal muscle, Lin replaced him in the lineup. Nevertheless, Lin will remain a candidate for sixth man (PER of 18.71) upon Beverley’s return as a starter. Wroten, on the other hand, has been a welcomed addition to the 76ers roster, scoring close to 12 points a game off the bench in just 21.7 minutes per contest.