Philadelphia 76ers: 2019-20 NBA award predictions
Lucas Johnson
- MVP — Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Defensive Player of the Year — Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- Sixth Man of the Year — Montrezl Harrell, Los Angeles Clippers
- Most Improved Player — Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
- Rookie of the Year — Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
- Coach of the Year — Nate McMillan, Indiana Pacers
- 1st Team All-NBA
- Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
- James Harden, Houston Rockets
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- 2nd Team All-NBA
- Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers
- Bradley Beal, Washington Wizards
- LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers
- Anthony Davis, Los Angeles Lakers
- Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
- 3rd Team All-NBA
- Russell Westbrook, Houston Rockets
- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
- Paul George, Los Angeles Clippers
- Blake Griffin, Detroit Pistons
- Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
- 1st Team All-Defense
- Patrick Beverley, Los Angeles Clippers
- Jrue Holiday, New Orleans Pelicans
- Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
- Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
- Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
- 2nd Team All-Defense
- Ben Simmons, Philadelphia 76ers
- Lonzo Ball, New Orleans Pelicans
- Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
- Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz
- 1st Team All-Rookie
- Ja Morant, Memphis Grizzlies
- Nickeil Alexander-Walker, New Orleans Pelicans
- R.J. Barrett, New York Knicks
- Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans
- Jaxson Hayes, New Orleans Pelicans
- 2nd Team All-Rookie
- Coby White, Chicago Bulls
- Tyler Herro, Miami Heat
- Rui Hachimura, Washington Wizards
- P.J. Washington, Charlotte Hornets
- Brandon Clarke, Memphis Grizzlies
When looking at all the award races for this upcoming seaosn the race for the MVP will be a tight one. I have Giannis Antetokounmpo, although any of the five players I have on the All-NBA First team could end up winning it. However, with less help around him and by just winning it last season, he could win the award back-to-back.
After not winning defensive player of the year for the past two season, Embiid appears to be the anchor of a Sixers team primed to be one of the best defensive teams in the NBA. With that in mind, he should be favored to finally claim the award this season.
Montrezl Harrell was deserving of the sixth man of the year award last year, but lost out to his teammate Lou Williams. Williams probably won’t have the same level of production due to the additions of Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, along with him entering his 15th season, it seems like it opens the door for Harrell to become the Los Angeles Clippers and the NBA’s best sixth man.
Leaving the Los Angeles could become the best thing that happened to Lonzo Ball. Ball was stuck in the shadow of his father and LeBron James. Now he has a fresh start with the New Orleans Pelicans and playing for an offensive oriented coach in Alvin Gentry could give him a boost to his career. Ball could be in line for a career season if he stays healthy.
Zion Williams will surely be the favorite for rookie of the year, however I don’t see him winning it. The Pelicans have other players that can help career the offensive load and based on his weight of 285 lbs its doubtful that he will be in good enough condition to put up major numbers on a regular basis. Ja Morant on the other hand will have the major of the offensive load with the Memphis Grizzles on him and isn’t playing with excess weight.
Coach of the year is a tricky award, originally I had Brett Brown winning it, but the more I thought about it felt like Nate McMillan had a case to win it last year. If McMillan can continue his good work with the Indian Pacers he could be in line for the award this year.