With the NBA season hours away, now seems like as good a time as any to give you our picks for preseason awards. Anyone could tell you who will win MVP or who is going to win the title, but we here at Head in the Game are going to give the winners of the awards that actually matter, the ones we made up specifically for this post. Please enjoy our (first) annual NBA Preseason Awards.
Please, Please, Pretty Please Don’t Leave Us Award - This award is given out to the pending free agent who by leaving would most devastate their current team.
Winner Winner Chicken Dinner
Troy's Pick - LeBron James
This may be the most obvious of all the awards. With all signs pointing to LeBron making an exodus from Lake Erie and Kyrie already in Boston, the summer of 2018 will be a sad time in the Land. The likelihood that they will have a top three pick helps soften the blow, but let’s face it, there is no replacing the King.
Grant's Pick - LeBron
Like Troy said, this may be the most obvious award winner. However, I truly believe that there is still a strong possibility LeBron stays in Cleveland, especially since his family (and best friend Dwayne Wade) is there.
Troy's Pick - LeBron James
This may be the most obvious of all the awards. With all signs pointing to LeBron making an exodus from Lake Erie and Kyrie already in Boston, the summer of 2018 will be a sad time in the Land. The likelihood that they will have a top three pick helps soften the blow, but let’s face it, there is no replacing the King.
Grant's Pick - LeBron
Like Troy said, this may be the most obvious award winner. However, I truly believe that there is still a strong possibility LeBron stays in Cleveland, especially since his family (and best friend Dwayne Wade) is there.
The Shark Bait Award - This award is given out to the team that will or should probably tank to receive a better draft pick.
Winner Winner Refried Bean Dinner
Troy's Pick - Phoenix Suns
The Suns are in rebuild mode anyway, and the addition of the Heat’s draft pick (as long as it is not in the top 7) could mean that the 2018 draft will be crucial for them. Add that to the fact that they have assets such as Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler, and there is the possibility that the Suns will have upwards of 3 first round picks come the trade deadline.
Grant's Pick - New York Knicks
The Knicks finally ended the Carmelo Anthony era by trading him to OKC this offseason, and now I think it's time for them to tank this season to add another young talent to go with Kristaps Porzingis and 2017 first round pick Frank Ntilikina. They have a young superstar and some young building blocks around him, but they're not there yet.
Troy's Pick - Phoenix Suns
The Suns are in rebuild mode anyway, and the addition of the Heat’s draft pick (as long as it is not in the top 7) could mean that the 2018 draft will be crucial for them. Add that to the fact that they have assets such as Eric Bledsoe and Tyson Chandler, and there is the possibility that the Suns will have upwards of 3 first round picks come the trade deadline.
Grant's Pick - New York Knicks
The Knicks finally ended the Carmelo Anthony era by trading him to OKC this offseason, and now I think it's time for them to tank this season to add another young talent to go with Kristaps Porzingis and 2017 first round pick Frank Ntilikina. They have a young superstar and some young building blocks around him, but they're not there yet.
From Titanic to Iceberg Award - The purpose of this award is to honor the team who had a good season in 2016-17, but who will finish toward the bottom of the league this year.
Winner Winner Academy Award Viewer
Troy's Pick - Atlanta Hawks
Last season the Hawks finished 5th in the East with a record of 43-39. With the loss of some key players this past offseason, it does not seem like the Hawks are going to put up much of a fight. Mike Budenholzer may still be one of the better coaches in the NBA, but I wouldn’t have too much hope for this year if you follow the Hawks.
Grant's Pick - Los Angeles Clippers
Last season the Clips finished fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 51-31. They still have Blake Griffin (and solid role players around him), but the loss of Chris Paul will be felt. He was a talented floor leader who ran the offense. In a tough Western Conference, the Clippers may have a hard time getting into the playoffs.
Troy's Pick - Atlanta Hawks
Last season the Hawks finished 5th in the East with a record of 43-39. With the loss of some key players this past offseason, it does not seem like the Hawks are going to put up much of a fight. Mike Budenholzer may still be one of the better coaches in the NBA, but I wouldn’t have too much hope for this year if you follow the Hawks.
Grant's Pick - Los Angeles Clippers
Last season the Clips finished fourth in the Western Conference with a record of 51-31. They still have Blake Griffin (and solid role players around him), but the loss of Chris Paul will be felt. He was a talented floor leader who ran the offense. In a tough Western Conference, the Clippers may have a hard time getting into the playoffs.
JaVale McGee Memorial Award - Given to the player that is sure to inspire the most memes this season.
Winner Winner Fidget Spinner
Troy's Pick - Lonzo Ball
It may not be his fault that Lonzo is the recipient of this prestigious award, but he is very deserving nonetheless. Be prepared to see his mug plastered all over your twitter feed with some snarky caption and then be prepared to see the same meme plastered all over your Facebook two to three weeks later.
Grant's Pick - J.R. Smith
Troy took the obvious one, so I'll go with another obvious one. J.R. has been a human meme for awhile, and it'll be interesting to see how he reacts now that he is coming off the bench behind D-Wade. No matter what happens, he'll probably provide some meme-able moments.
Troy's Pick - Lonzo Ball
It may not be his fault that Lonzo is the recipient of this prestigious award, but he is very deserving nonetheless. Be prepared to see his mug plastered all over your twitter feed with some snarky caption and then be prepared to see the same meme plastered all over your Facebook two to three weeks later.
Grant's Pick - J.R. Smith
Troy took the obvious one, so I'll go with another obvious one. J.R. has been a human meme for awhile, and it'll be interesting to see how he reacts now that he is coming off the bench behind D-Wade. No matter what happens, he'll probably provide some meme-able moments.
Purgatory Award - This award is handed out to the NBA team who has been stuck in a series of mediocrity for years and will remain so this season.
Winner Winner Last Supper Dinner
Troy's Pick - Orlando Magic
Ever since Dwight Howard left central Florida, there has been little magic left in Orlando. They’ve had very few good things happen to them in recent years and that trend will likely continue.
Grant's Pick - Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have plateaued as a middling team in the East the past few seasons, much like Andre Drummond has plateaued after looking like a potential cornerstone at the beginning of his career. Even with the addition of the underrated Avery Bradley, Detroit will still be a middling team.
Troy's Pick - Orlando Magic
Ever since Dwight Howard left central Florida, there has been little magic left in Orlando. They’ve had very few good things happen to them in recent years and that trend will likely continue.
Grant's Pick - Detroit Pistons
The Pistons have plateaued as a middling team in the East the past few seasons, much like Andre Drummond has plateaued after looking like a potential cornerstone at the beginning of his career. Even with the addition of the underrated Avery Bradley, Detroit will still be a middling team.
Pumpkin Spice Award - Awarded to the team who will start the year out strong but ultimately fall off or limp into the playoffs.
Winner Winner Ugg Boot Wearer
Troy's Pick - Washington Wizards
The Wizards have all the makings of a playoff team. They have one of the best backcourts in the league and should have an excellent start. That being said, there is always one team in the East that has an incredible start to the season and hits a slump come January, and Washington seems like as good of a candidate as anyone.
Grant's Pick - Philadelphia 76ers
I have belief in "The Process", and I can see Joel Embiid and company coming out of the gates firing in the East. But there are a lot of young and injury-prone players on that team, so it might be hard for them to keep it up throughout the whole season.
Troy's Pick - Washington Wizards
The Wizards have all the makings of a playoff team. They have one of the best backcourts in the league and should have an excellent start. That being said, there is always one team in the East that has an incredible start to the season and hits a slump come January, and Washington seems like as good of a candidate as anyone.
Grant's Pick - Philadelphia 76ers
I have belief in "The Process", and I can see Joel Embiid and company coming out of the gates firing in the East. But there are a lot of young and injury-prone players on that team, so it might be hard for them to keep it up throughout the whole season.
Joe Thomas Service Award - Given to the best player stuck playing for a non-competitive team.
Winner Winner Cleveland Browns Player
Troy's Pick - Anthony Davis
New Orleans is a bad team despite the DeMarcus Cousins trade last season. Despite the weak nature of his squad, Anthony Davis has become a perennial candidate for an all-NBA team, and that should be no different this year, even if his team will struggle to get anywhere near .500.
Grant's Pick - Mike Conley
The Grizzlies have lost some key players the last few years, but Conley and Marc Gasol are keeping this team's head above water. It might be hard for the Griz to compete in the competitive West this year, but they do have an elite point guard.
Troy's Pick - Anthony Davis
New Orleans is a bad team despite the DeMarcus Cousins trade last season. Despite the weak nature of his squad, Anthony Davis has become a perennial candidate for an all-NBA team, and that should be no different this year, even if his team will struggle to get anywhere near .500.
Grant's Pick - Mike Conley
The Grizzlies have lost some key players the last few years, but Conley and Marc Gasol are keeping this team's head above water. It might be hard for the Griz to compete in the competitive West this year, but they do have an elite point guard.
Bridesmaid Award - Awarded to the player who should receive MVP consideration, but will get lost in the superstar shuffle.
Winner Winner Rehearsal Dinner
Troy's Pick - Damian Lillard
The NBA is filled with stars at the moment. KD, LeBron, Steph, Russ, Harden, and Leonard are players that could easily win MVP. There are only so many slots that can take up the minds of MVP voters, which leaves a lot of fantastic players without consideration. One such player is Damian Lillard, who gets better year after year. This year he’ll be great again, but unless he has the game of his life night in and night out, Dame will get lost in the superstar shuffle.
Grant's Pick - Karl Anthony-Towns
KAT has turned into a legitimate NBA superstar in Minnesota. With the addition of Jimmy Butler (and the continued development of Towns and Andrew Wiggins), the Wolves will be more competitive this season, but Towns will still have to compete for MVP with LeBron, KD, Steph, Russ, Harden, and Kawhi.
Troy's Pick - Damian Lillard
The NBA is filled with stars at the moment. KD, LeBron, Steph, Russ, Harden, and Leonard are players that could easily win MVP. There are only so many slots that can take up the minds of MVP voters, which leaves a lot of fantastic players without consideration. One such player is Damian Lillard, who gets better year after year. This year he’ll be great again, but unless he has the game of his life night in and night out, Dame will get lost in the superstar shuffle.
Grant's Pick - Karl Anthony-Towns
KAT has turned into a legitimate NBA superstar in Minnesota. With the addition of Jimmy Butler (and the continued development of Towns and Andrew Wiggins), the Wolves will be more competitive this season, but Towns will still have to compete for MVP with LeBron, KD, Steph, Russ, Harden, and Kawhi.
Pampers Premium - Given to the rookie who has been placed in the best position to succeed.
Winner Winner Dandy Diaper
Troy's Pick - Dennis Smith Jr.
You can keep you Lonzo and Fultz, because my bet for best rookie in this upcoming season is Dennis Smith Jr. Smith was the 9th pick in the draft and inherits a system in Dallas that he’s well suited for. Rick Carlisle’s offense is set up great for the young point guard, and is my pick for not only Pampers Premium, but also for Rookie of the Year.
Grant's Pick - De'Aaron Fox
I agree that Dennis Smith has been put in a great position, but I really like Fox. He has elite speed and a competitive nature. Sacramento isn't usually synonymous with "good position to succeed", but he'll be playing behind (and with) George Hill, who provides a solid veteran presence. Watch out for the sly Fox.
Troy's Pick - Dennis Smith Jr.
You can keep you Lonzo and Fultz, because my bet for best rookie in this upcoming season is Dennis Smith Jr. Smith was the 9th pick in the draft and inherits a system in Dallas that he’s well suited for. Rick Carlisle’s offense is set up great for the young point guard, and is my pick for not only Pampers Premium, but also for Rookie of the Year.
Grant's Pick - De'Aaron Fox
I agree that Dennis Smith has been put in a great position, but I really like Fox. He has elite speed and a competitive nature. Sacramento isn't usually synonymous with "good position to succeed", but he'll be playing behind (and with) George Hill, who provides a solid veteran presence. Watch out for the sly Fox.
Bucks in 6 Award - The award bestowed on the player who best exemplifies what it means to be a Greek Freak.
Winner Winner (In 6 Games)
Troy's Pick - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Once in a great while a player comes along that makes people stop and go, "aw gee, I think this guy is pretty good", and that player is Giannis.
Grant's Pick - Giannis
One day, I'm going to sit down and tell my son why I named him Giannis. I will tell him of a once-in-a-lifetime player who had the reach of a pterodactyl, the stride of a leopard, and the uniqueness of a unicorn. Long live Giannis.
Troy's Pick - Giannis Antetokounmpo
Once in a great while a player comes along that makes people stop and go, "aw gee, I think this guy is pretty good", and that player is Giannis.
Grant's Pick - Giannis
One day, I'm going to sit down and tell my son why I named him Giannis. I will tell him of a once-in-a-lifetime player who had the reach of a pterodactyl, the stride of a leopard, and the uniqueness of a unicorn. Long live Giannis.
To stay up to date on the newest Head in the Game articles (and general sports commentary), follow @headingameblog on Twitter. You can also find us on Twitter @T_RoyStory (Troy) and @G_Tingley (Grant)
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