Pacers Insider reveals his votes in every NBA award category
- Game 3: Pacers at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. Thursday, TNT
CLEVELAND — Being a voter for the NBA’s most outstanding performers awards this season is an honor. Several of my peers mentioned this before the league selected which reporters would vote this year. The privilege of voting carries plenty of responsibility.
The MVP race was close among four players the entire season. And with the league’s new collective bargaining agreement signed this season, media members will have a say in whether certain players are eligible for the new super-max contract.
The voting for the All-NBA team, of course, has a major impact on the future of the Indiana Pacers and Paul George. If George makes an All-NBA team, the Pacers can offer him a long-term contract that could be about $70 million more than one from any other team.
The voting deadline was 11:59 p.m. Friday.
Below is my entire ballot. The reasons I voted a certain way in some categories are included. Fans can criticize my selections. Just know this was not easy. Not at all.
• DOYEL: Paul George is frustrated and honest
• PLAYOFFS: Pacers need Turner to perform
Most Valuable Player
Kawhi Leonard (S.A.)
James Harden (Hou.)
Russell Westbrook (OKC)
LeBron James (Cle.)
Stephen Curry (G.S.)
Any of the top four players on my ballot can win this award, depending on what voters value the most. For me, Leonard was the best player on both ends of the court. Yes, I value defense, the other side of the court that many people don’t consider. Leonard is the best perimeter defender in the league. He can also beat teams by scoring 30 points. His versatility and the fact the San Antonio Spurs won 61 games this season are what led to this vote. Also, the Spurs don’t have another All-Star from this season.
Harden and Westbrook had special statistical seasons. Can’t argue that. I voted Harden higher than Westbrook because the Rockets won more games and Harden is more efficient, which has to be taken into account in a race this tight.
All-NBA Teams
First team
Kawhi Leonard (S.A.)
LeBron James (Cle.)
Anthony Davis (N.O.)
Russell Westbrook (OKC.)
James Harden (Hou.)
Second team
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil.)
Kevin Durant (G.S.)
Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Stephen Curry (G.S.)
Klay Thompson (G.S.)
Third team
Jimmy Butler (Chi.)
Paul George (Ind.)
Nikola Jokic (Den.)
John Wall (Was.)
DeMar DeRozan (Tor.)
Yes, Pacers fans. I realize this is what you care about most. The first team is pretty easy since the top four players from this season land on their respective spots per their position. Davis, in my opinion, should always be considered a center even if the NBA allows him to receive votes as a forward. Davis is the best center in the league.
Antetokounmpo is a fabulous player. Durant, Curry and Thompson led the Warriors to 67 wins. Gobert is the best defensive center in the league, which helped the Utah Jazz reach the playoffs.
As for the third team, George makes my ballot because, well, I’ve watched him for 82 games and he’s one of the best players in the league. He’s the Pacers’ best option on offense and defense. He also carried them into the postseason. He played exceptionally well after the All-Star break. As I’ve told several other voters, if I don’t vote for George on the All-NBA team after watching him more this season than the other voters, then no one should put him on the third team. It’s that simple for me, regardless of the super-max implications.
Most Improved Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil.)
Nikola Jokic (Den.)
Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Just how good is Antetokounmpo? He led the Milwaukee Bucks this season in just about every major statistical category – points per game, rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.
Defensive Player of the Year
Draymond Green (G.S.)
Kawhi Leonard (S.A.)
Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Green gets my top vote because he can guard every position on the court well, which is so impressive. Much of the Warriors’ success on defense is because Green can neutralize whatever problem an opponent presents.
Sixth Man
Eric Gordon (Hou.)
Andre Iguodala (G.S.)
Lou Williams (Hou.)
Gordon, the former IU standout, stayed healthy this season and produced for the Rockets. He averaged 16.2 points and shot 37.2 percent from behind the arc by coming off the bench.
Rookie of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon (Mil.)
Dario Saric (Phi.)
Joel Embiid (Phi.)
This year’s rookie class was not that impressive. Brogdon helped the Bucks reach the playoffs by being a rotational contributor from the start of the season. Embiid appears to have a promising future, yet he on played 31 games because of injuries.
Coach of the Year
Brad Stevens (Bos.)
Quin Snyder (Utah)
Gregg Popovich (S.A.)
Stevens, the former Butler Bulldogs coach, led the Boston Celtics to the top overall seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Steven was able to push and motivate the Celtics throughout the season, which is what the Cleveland Cavaliers, the defending champions, struggled to do with more talented players. Snyder did an impressive job in leading the Jazz to 51 wins despite almost every rotational player missing games because of injuries. Popovich led the Spurs to 61 wins with just one All-Star.
All-Rookie Team
Malcolm Brogdon (Mil.)
Jaylen Brown (Bos.)
Dario Saric (Phi.)
Brandon Ingram (LA-L)
Joel Embiid (Phi.)
Rodney McGruder (Mia.)
Buddy Hield (Sac.)
Willy Hernangomez (N.Y.)
Jakob Poeltl (Tor.)
Kris Dunn (Min.)
All-Defensive Team
Draymond Green (G.S.)
Kawhi Leonard (S.A.)
Rudy Gobert (Utah)
Chris Paul (LAC)
Klay Thompson (G.S.)
Paul George (Ind.)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Mil.)
DeAndre Jordan (LAC)
Avery Bradley (Bos.)
George Hill (Utah)
Call IndyStar reporter Nate Taylor at (317) 444-6484. Follow him on Twitter: @ByNateTaylor.
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Game 3: Pacers at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. Thursday, TNT