This is week nine 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. Kevin Love
Durant is once again faced with the task of leading the Thunder until after the All-Star break without his sidekick Russell Westbrook. In Sunday’s game against the Rockets, he put on another monster performance with 33 points, 13 rebounds and five assists. James had two big games this past week, posting 38 points, eight rebounds and six assists in a close win over the Hawks, and 33 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in defeat to the Kings. Just so we understand how good Love has been this season — he’s third in scoring, first in rebounding, and top 10 in 3-pointers made. He also posted a ridiculous stat line against the Clippers with 45 points, 19 rebounds and six assists, all while averaging 34.3 PPG over the last three games.
Most Improved Player
1. Eric Bledsoe
Bledsoe, paired with Goran Dragic in the backcourt, is helping to lead the Suns to the sixth seed currently in the Western conference, far from what ownership had envisioned going into the season. His numbers for the year are now 18.4 PPG, 5.9 APG and 4.3 RPG. Nothing has changed for Davis, who’s still averaging a double-double with over 19 points and 10 rebounds a game and leading the league in blocked shots. As of late, Plumlee has garnered serious consideration with a 17 point, 20 rebound game against the Lakers and a 22 point, 13 rebound game against the 76ers. He’s started all 29 games for the Suns this season, averaging 10.1 PPG and 9.2 RPG.
Rookie of the Year
3. Trey Burke
The award continues to be MCW’s to lose. Oladipo is not consistent enough right now for him to overtake MCW. He scored a season-low three points in only 16 minutes against the Knicks, also a season-low. Burke continues to play well for the Jazz averaging 13.4 PPG but his shooting percentages are not that great (39% FG, 35% from three).
Defensive Player of the Year
1. Roy Hibbert
2. Anthony Davis
3. Serge Ibaka
Hibbert is a disruptive presence for opposing teams to score against inside and though his blocks have been on the decline, the impact he has on the defensive side of the floor is not always measured by numbers. Davis is top 10 in rebounding and first in blocked shots.
Sixth Man of the Year
2. Nick Young
Crawford continues to prove his value to the team with J.J. Redick still missing action, averaging 16.8 PPG off the bench as the team’s third scorer. In Sunday’s loss to the 76ers, Young tied his season-high of 26 points in a losing effort. Stuckey hurt himself again on Saturday against the Wizards, but an MRI revealed no structural damage, encouraging news for the Pistons. He’s averaging 14.0 PPG for the Pistons this season.