Predicting the 2018 NBA Awards

Now that the first ever NBA Award Show is over, it's time to look ahead to next year. Out with the old, in with the new, they say, so let's jump into the future with these predictions.

NBA Sportsmanship Award: Mike Conley Jr. 

Mike Conley is a pro's pro. Since he came into the league in the 2007-08 season, he has never received a technical foul. I thought he should've won this year. (Though as most of you know, I'm completely fine with Cardiac Kemba Walker winning). Mike Conley always seems to be the bridesmaid. I think 2018 is the year where he will shine as a true gentleman. 

Best Style Award: Draymond Green

Draymond got a head start on the competition already by wearing a turquoise blazer with black golf shorts last night. Style is all about confidence, and if Green had the confidence to pull out that look, then I see him as the clear favorite for the Style Award next year. 

Lifetime Achievement Award: Hakeem Olajuwon 

Bill Russell was the obvious choice for the Lifetime Achievement Award. We get it, Bill. 11 titles, 12 all-star selections and 5 MVPs. Congrats. Now the NBA has a real choice to make. Jerry West can't receive because he's still involved in the league. To put it in perspective, it's hard for me to even think of someone to nominate. Let's see, um, Hakeem Olajuwon? He's out of the league, he's won a championship and he was up there with Bill Russell when he accepted his award. Perfect! 

Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award: Kevin Durant

Durant may seem like a stupid pick here (and it probably is), but you got to remember that he's planning to give up some of his salary in order to keep Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston on the Warriors. Sounds like a "No 'I' in team" type of guy to me. 

NBA Executive of the Year Award: Dave Wohl

The accuracy of this prediction is dependent on three things: 1) The Clippers keep Chris Paul. 2) The Clippers keep Blake Griffin. 3) The Clippers make the Western Conference Finals. If Wohl manages to accomplish the first two, he will will finish at least top 3. Keeping an aging, ring-hunting Hall-of-Famer and a disgruntled superstar after both opted to test out free agency would be a huge boost to Wohl's reputation around the league.

Kia NBA Rookie of the Year: Lonzo Ball

I think Markelle Fultz is a star in the making for Philadelphia, but I chose Lonzo Ball for Rookie of the Year because he's the most likely double double candidate in the class, and because the Sixers are going to end up like the Warriors on a much lesser scale. Last season, the Warriors had so many good players that they all cancelled each other out for MVP consideration. This is going to apply to the Sixers with Fultz and Ben Simmons, and who's left after that process? Lonzo Ball. 

Kia NBA Sixth Man Award: Lou Williams

Despite strong contention from every NBA fan base ever, I'm giving it to Lou Williams. Lou Williams was nominated for the award this year, but fell to his teammate Eric Gordon. Williams is a microwave scorer that has potential to take over a game. This quality was somewhat lost because he was traded from the Lakers to the Rockets mid-season. Next year, he will have adjusted to the system and should be a Sixth Man favorite. 

Kia Most Improved Player: Bradley Beal

Bradley Beal is already an awesome player and counterpart to John Wall, but I think he shatters expectation this season and becomes an All-Star. We aren't going to see another Giannis-like rise next year, but Beal may come close. This is also going to be magnified by an improved Wizards team from last year. (Yes, I'm still high on the Wizards). 

NBA Coach of the Year: Jason Kidd

The Bucks have quietly become one the Eastern Conference's most promising teams. The core of Malcolm Brogdon (this year's Rookie of the Year), Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo (this year's Most Improved Player) is going to wreak havoc for many years to come. The luck heir of this fortune is Jason Kidd, who will quickly reap the benefits after his team becomes a top-4 squad in the Eastern Conference.

Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert

This just makes sense. Gobert has had to wait his turn and respect his elders before, but the 2017-18 season will become his block party. With Gordon Hayward and George Hill most likely gone, the Jazz are going to let many more eager drivers into the Gobert Zone, where they will be embarrassingly denied time after time by Rudy Gobert. 

Kia NBA MVP Award: Russell Westbrook

I would like to get creative with this prediction, but we have to face reality and notice that Westbrook is perfectly lined up for another MVP. He has no help whatsoever (I don't care how many teammates he brought up on stage last night), and if he keeps putting up triple doubles, there's no reason why he shouldn't go back to back.