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NBA Awards Watch: Week 1

By Ben Nadeau

May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with the 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy at the Oakland Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry with the 2014-2015 NBA Most Valuable Player trophy at the Oakland Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his assist on a three pointer in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 23, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) celebrates his assist on a three pointer in the third quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Milwaukee Bucks 112-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year

1. Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Ah, Karl-Anthony, it feels like we’ve been friends for a long, long time, hasn’t it? There’s a youth movement in Minnesota with Towns at the forefront and he’ll be flanked by Ricky Rubio, Zach LaVine, and one of the league’s greatest power forwards of all-time, Kevin Garnett.

Although it looks like Nikola Pekovic may start the year for the Timberwolves, we all know it’s just a matter of time until the Serbian center is out for extended time. Of course, starting or not, Town will be learning from Garnett each and every day, so this rookie might turn into a beast sooner rather than later.

2. Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets
Oddly enough, Emmanuel Mudiay might be the league’s sexiest selection here. Since the Denver Nuggets traded away Ty Lawson over the season, the hype train was born and it hasn’t stopped chugging since. Mudiay may be one of the most NBA-ready athletes we’ve seen in quite sometime, mostly in thanks to the point guard skipping out on the NCAA for China.

With the potential resurgence of Danilo Gallinari, the strong post play of Jusef Nurkic, and a potential make-or-break season for Kenneth Faried, the stars are alligning for a strong rookie year from Mudiay.

3. Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls
For what it’s worth, Bobby Portis may end up being the steal of draft, but whether or not that means he’ll be in Rookie of the Year conversations is another story. Portis will begin the season buried behind established veterans like Taj Gibson, Pau Gasol, Nikola Mirotic, and Joakim Noah, but he looks ready to perform immediately.

The forward from Arkansas was impressive this preseason, averaging 12 points, 10 rebounds, and a block per game. If the Bulls are cruising in the weaker Eastern Conference, don’t be surprised if the wise Fred Hoiberg rests his aging veterans in order to get them healthy for a length playoff run.

If you believe Bobby Portis has no chance against the rookies that will immediately slot into starting roles and have a high usage percentage, just look at Mirotic. He didn’t come on strong until after the new year, nor did he blow people away with overrated statlines, but Mirotic still finished second place in voting behind Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins.

Portis’ Line of the Week: Bobby Portis did not feature in Tuesday’s win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Week Grade: N/A

Honorable Mentions: Stanley Johnson, Detroit Pistons; D’Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers; Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks; Mario Hezonja, Orlando Magic; Jahlil Okafor Philadelphia 76ers.

Next: The No-Brainer