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NBA: Handing Out Awards For First Round Of 2017 NBA Playoffs

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder keeps an eye on the action in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 88-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 6, 2017; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz head coach Quin Snyder keeps an eye on the action in the third quarter against the New Orleans Pelicans at Vivint Smart Home Arena. The Utah Jazz defeated the New Orleans Pelicans 88-83. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after making a free throw to clinch the win after making a free throw with one second to go against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after making a free throw to clinch the win after making a free throw with one second to go against the Indiana Pacers in game four of the first round of the 2017 NBA Playoffs at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Cleveland defeats Indiana 106-102. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

This award comes down to a short list of candidates: LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and John Wall. A number of different players were viable candidates, including Stephen Curry, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, and Isaiah Thomas.

All three players are fair and legitimate options for the award, but the winner is the player who swept his opposition in stunning style: LeBron James.

Wall was dominant, recording averages of 29.5 points, 10.3 assists, 4.0 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.5 3-point field goals made on a slash line of .525/.474/.840. He recorded three double-doubles and closed the series out with a 42-point eruption in Game 6.

As for Kawhi Leonard, he poured in averages of 31.0 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 2.0 steals, and 2.6 3-point field goals made per game—reason enough to consider him.

The reality is: James went toe-to-toe with a fellow All-NBA player and dominated.

James went off for 32 points, 13 assists, and six rebounds in Game 1, and followed with 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, four blocks, and four steals in Game 2. He journeyed to Indiana and posted 41 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists.

For good measure, James closed out with 33 points and 10 boards in Game 4. Both in the numbers and beyond them, The King reigned supreme.

Next: 10 Random 1st Round Playoff X-Factors We Weren't Expecting

The question is: who do you believe should have won the NBA postseason awards?