Milwaukee Bucks: Best candidates for 2018-19 NBA awards
By Owen Nelson
Heading into the 2018-19 season, the Milwaukee Bucks are expected to make some noise in the playoffs. Here are the best candidates for NBA awards.
After being founded in 1968, the Milwaukee Bucks have earned a decent load of awards, most of which were earned decades ago. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar was the most successful, for obvious reasons. Then named Lew Alcindor, he won Rookie of the Year (ROTY) in 1970 and Most Valuable Player (MVP) in 1971, 1972 and 1974.
Sidney Moncrief was known for his elite defensive play, and was rewarded with back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards in 1983 and 1984. Furthermore, Ricky Pierce won two Sixth Man of the Year awards, one in 1987 and the other in 1990.
After 1990, the Bucks would have to wait 27 years for their next award, and two came along at once. Malcolm Brogdon controversially won the 2017 Rookie of the Year award ahead of Dario Saric and Joel Embiid. Also, Giannis Antetokounmpo won the Most Improved Player award after his breakout season that saw him average 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.
On the current Bucks’ roster, there are a couple of players who could make great cases for awards in 2018-19. Here are the best candidates for each award.