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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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October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas (9) during the second half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 22, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) controls the ball against the defense of Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcelo Huertas (9) during the second half at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Most Valuable Player

Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

I know, this is my least adventurous pick of the entire bunch, but betting against Stephen Curry right now seems like an absolutely inane choice. From the crazy crossovers to the dagger threes, it was damn good fun watching Curry dominate last season. He only averaged 23.8 points per game last season, but he also put up 7.7 assists per game as well.

The point is, he might not have scored or dished the most, but at the end of the day, there was Curry, hitting the biggest shots and leading the dogpile out West.

Even after the Golden State Warriors romped their way to an absurd 67-15 record, there were still doubters that they could take down the gauntlet in the Southwest. Thanks to Curry, the Warriors, they defeated every other member of the All-NBA Team (Anthony Davis, Marc Gasol, James Harden, and LeBron James) on their way to their first championship in over 30 years.

Curry dazzled in the opener against New Orleans, as he scored 40 points effortlessly against a team that had to play Nate Robinson and Ish Smith most of the night at point guard. Chipping in with six rebounds, seven assists, and five threes, it’s clear that Curry is unlikely to suffer a decline after setting the league on fire in 2014-15.

Point is, until somebody proves differently, this is Curry’s trophy for now.

Curry’s Best Line of the Week: 10/27  vs. NOP — 40 points, 6 rebounds, 7 assists, 2 steals, 0 blocks, 2 turnovers, 14-26 FG%, 5 3PM
Week Grade: A

2. Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Paul George is back, baby! Haaaaaaaave you seen George this preseason? Following a gruesome leg injury playing for Team USA in the summer of 2014, George rehabbed for most of 2015 and only featured in six ultimately meaningless games for the Indiana Pacers in April.

Although they’ll likely bleed points without Luis Scola, Roy Hibbert, and David West in the paint, the Pacers could be legitimate dark horses in the Eastern Conference.

If George can reclaim the superstardom he achieved in 2013-14 when he averaged 21.7 points, 6.8 rebounds, and two steals per game, while guiding the Pacers to anything sixth seed or higher, he’ll forcefully work his way into the MVP conversation once more.

3. Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Believe me, it was frustratingly hard to narrow this incredible cast down to just three players, but Davis will be unfairly judged based on their team seed. There are just far too many teams in the Western Conference that will win 50+ games and put up similarly incredible statistics. Thus, for now, you can’t go wrong with James Harden, Chris Paul, or Kawhi Leonard here either.

But, we’re going to stick with Kevin Durant because people have forgotten just how good this guy is when he’s healthy.

Durant, the MVP winner in 2013-14, spent most of last season on the shelf thanks to a series of foot injuries, setbacks, and surgeries. He’s got limitless range, an equally long wingspan, and unstoppable game from behind the arc to boot.

This is, of course, the big contract year for Durant and if he’s interested in the same media frenzy LeBron James had in 2010, he’ll need to shake off the rust and show the world he can still ball. With his injury and the emergence of Harden, Curry, and Davis, Durant quickly became the forgotten Western Conference star — but something tells me we won’t feel that way in April.

Honorable Mentions: James Harden, Houston Rockets; LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers; Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat; Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder; Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers; Chris Paul, Los Angeles Clippers; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs; John Wall, Washington Wizards; Eric Bledsoe, Phoenix Suns.

Next: NBA: 50 Greatest Players Of All Time

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