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NBA Awards Watch: Full Midseason Awards

By Gerald Bourguet

Apr 5, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2015; San Antonio, TX, USA; San Antonio Spurs small forward Kawhi Leonard (2) is defended by Golden State Warriors point guard Stephen Curry (30) during the second half at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 13, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) reacts after making a basket during the first quarter against the Houston Rockets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /

Rookie of the Year: Karl-Anthony Towns

Honorable Mentions: Kristaps Porzingis, Jahlil Okafor

This one really isn’t much of a contest. As much as Kristaps Porzingis has been a feel-good story for the New York Knicks after being booed on draft day, and as much as Jahlil Okafor’s numbers look impressive at 17.4 points and 7.4 rebounds per game, Karl-Anthony Towns is really the only acceptable choice here.

Though his Minnesota Timberwolves have gone 5-21 since their promising 8-8 start, KAT is already proving himself as a viable franchise rock for the future, averaging 15.5 points, 9.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game on 52.3 percent from the field, 35.3 percent from three-point range and 85.2 percent from the foul line. His 21.0 Player Efficiency Rating also leads all rookies.

Porzingis has range and shot-blocking ability like Towns, but KAT has looked like the most consistent, NBA-ready prospect of this rookie class. The only rookies in NBA history to post numbers like what Towns is putting up were David Robinson, Tim Duncan, Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and Chris Webber.

That’s some pretty elite company to be in, and it’s the reason he should steamroll his way to the Rookie of the Year Award.

Next: Most Improved Player Of The Year