The Sixer Sense
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Philadelphia 76ers: Predicting every NBA Award for the 2018-19 season

By Christopher Kline

Joel Embiid & Markelle Fultz | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images)
Joel Embiid & Markelle Fultz | Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Most Valuable Player

Last year’s winner was James Harden.

Christopher Kline — Kawhi Leonard, Toronto Raptors

This is a mild hot take given the uncertainty surrounding Leonard’s situation. We haven’t seen him healthy since 2016-17, so there’s significant downside if this pick goes south. With that said, Leonard has looked healthy in preseason action and should elevate the Raptors to new heights.

Coming off a 59-win season, Toronto has the chance to be even better this season. With LeBron in the West, the Raptors might be the best team in the East, with Leonard emerging as the best player. If Toronto wins 60+ games and Leonard is his dominant, efficient self, expect him to get some MVP love.

Jack Duffy — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks 

It’s obvious, Giannis is one of the most dominant players in the NBA. The Bucks new head coach, Mike Budenholzer, will allow Giannis to play the best, most efficient basketball of his young career. The Greek Freak is unguardable and will have his way this year with a solid squad around him. Giannis not winning a playoff series will motivate him to push himself and his team to places they never thought they could reach. This will be one of many MVP awards for Giannis.

Alex Rosenfeld — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

The king from across the sea is here to claim his throne. Antetokounmpo will lead the Bucks in points, rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, and the Bucks will win 50+ games. They’ll be a top-four seed in the East and Antetokounmpo will be the only reason why.

In the same way that baseball players frequently win the big awards while not playing for the best teams, Antetokounmpo’s dominance will be so thorough and consistent that it will be impossible to vote any other way. He’s stronger, smarter, and more mentally tough than ever before. This will be his first MVP, but not his last.

AJ Iezzi — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

Two words: Mike Budenholzer. The Greek Freak finally having a top-notch coach will do wornders for him. The Bucks will finally run modern offensive schemes and Giannis will thrive. Might as well just start calling him Thanos.

Harrison Grimm — Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

For the first time in awhile, the MVP award seems like it’s up for anyone’s taking. There’s a lot of talk about LeBron James winning it (especially being on a new team in the Lakers), however I feel like the Lakers won’t perform well enough this season for James to seriously be considered for it. I see them at best being a No. 6 seed. While that is an improvement compared to last season, the MVP award isn’t typically given out to players on teams that finish that low.

The “elite” teams in the league are primarily filled with the talent of multiple all-stars; which in a way, can hurt teammates’ chances of winning the MVP award (we saw this over the past few seasons with Durant and Curry).

Anthony Davis is undoubtedly “the man” on a rising New Orleans team. Over the past 3-5 seasons we’ve seen Davis put up crazy stats, that provide an elite level of talent on both sides of the ball. New Orleans is an “under the radar” team that could seriously make some noise this season. If Anthony Davis can lead an average overall team (in terms of talent) to a top-four seed in the west, he should unquestionably be the MVP.

Joe DiProsperos — Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans

AD put together a pretty convincing MVP case last year despite James Harden ultimately coming away with the prize. There have been stretches, especially during the second half of last season and even during the Pelicans’ playoff run, where Davis looks almost unstoppable. He’s already proven himself to be a top-five player in the league, and this could be the year in which everything comes together and he takes home MVP honors.

Stuart London — Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers

Maybe a bit of a homer but, unless he is bit by the injury bug again, who can stop him? He finally had a full offseason where he could work on his game and not rehab. The sky I the limit — and people are tired of Russell Westbook’s stats but no playoff success.

Lucas Johnson — LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers

Technically LeBron could win the award every year with his skills. If he can lead the Lakers to a top-four finish in the Western Conference, there’s little doubt he wouldn’t be snubbed for the award.