NBA Awards 2017 Recap

Monday 26th June 2017, NBA held there first ever NBA Awards at Pier 36 in New York City, hosted by Drake.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Drake, host for the night

Overall, the show was pretty good for the first year, although I didn’t agree with the performance of Nicki Minaj. Honestly, in my opinion the setting of the awards wasn’t appropriate for the performance she had. The NBA presented awards for Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of The Year (DPOY), Coach of The Year, Most Improved Player just to a name few.

 

On to the awards now. 

• KIA Most Valuable Player – Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder. Had to no other MVP for me, he was totally incredible this season. For the season he averaged 31.6 pts 10.4 assists and 10.6 rebounds per game. Westbrook became the first player since Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double per game for a season. On receiving his award he brought up his teammates present, started crying during the speech, had me crying, really deserved. To listen the speech, click here.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – MVP Russell Westbrook

• KIA NBA Rookie of The Year – Malcolm Brogdon of Milwaukee Bucks. Drafted at No.36 in the 2016 NBA draft, he became the lowest ever to receive this award. For this NBA season he averaged 10 points and 4 assists per game. 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Malcolm Brogdon with his award

• KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year – Draymond Green of Golden State Warriors. For the past two years he was nominated for this category, now he finally owns it. 

Photo Courtesy – Getty Images – Draymond Green.

• NBA Coach of The Year – Mike D’Antoni, coach of the Houston Rockets. He had an impressive run carrying the Rockets from a 41-win team now to a 55-win team in just one season.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Coach of the Houston Rockets

• KIA Most Improved Player – Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee Bucks.  He made history when he became the first player to finish in the top 20 in all categories which included steals, blocks, points, rebounds and assists. Truly one to look out for in the future. 

Photo Courtesy: nba.com

• KIA NBA Sixth Man Award -Eric Gordon of Houston Rockets. He had a pretty good season, with shooting 37 percent from the 3-point line and averaging 16.2 pts during the 2016/2017season. 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Sixth Man of The Year, Eric Gordon

• NBA Executive of The Year – Bob Myers of Golden State Warriors.
• Twyman-Stokes Teammate of The Year Award – Dirk Nowitzki of Dallas Mavericks. 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Nowitzki on receiving his award.

• Lifetime Achievement Award – Bill Russell former player of the Boston Celtics. Nice to see them honoring legends while they are alive. 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images – Legends in one picture, Bill Russell to the center with his award.

• NBA Sportsmanship Award – Kemba Walker of Charlotte Hornets. “My parents raised me to be a certain way, to carry myself a certain way, so I do my best to represent them”  – Kemba Walker

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images 

• Sager Strong Award – Monty Williams. He gave such an emotional yet inspiring speech. 

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images

• Best Style – Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder. Now we know this guy has all sorts of fashion sense, ain’t no other credible winner. 

Photo Courtesy: Twitter (NBA on TNT)

• NBA Community Assist Award – Isaiah Thomas of Boston Celtics.

Photo Courtesy: Getty Images –  Washington Wizards, point guard John Wall and singer Monica presented this award. 

Photo Courtesy: CSN Network – Isaiah Thomas

There were also some fan vote included and are as follows:

• Assists of the Year – Stephen Curry/Draymond Green of Golden State Warriors
• Block of the Year – Kawhi Leonard of San Antonio Spurs
• Dunk of the Year – Victor Oladipo of Oklahoma City Thunder
• Game-Winner of the Year – Russell Westbrook of Oklahoma City Thunder
• Performance of the Year – Klay Thompson of Golden State Warriors
• Playoff Moment – Kevin Durant of Golden State Warriors