The Regular Season is over. For some teams that means the real show is about to start now with the playoffs kicking off. For others, it is the end of this season and they can go on vacation. Anyways, the end of the regular season marks a point in time to look back at what has happened so far. Who were the protagonists to this day? Who did surprise us most and who disappointed us?
The NBA will not award any awards before the beginning of May but we will get there first. As we are all sort of experts in the office we present the KICKZ Awards to honor the best ball players in the league. Let the ceremony begin!
All Photos via FIVE Magazine/GettyImages
MVP
Nominees
Martin: Steph Curry – OK, it’s lame to pick him. But honestly, he deserves it. He’s not only the best player, but he changed the game of basketball, how we view athleticism and height.
Robbin: Steph Curry – Best shooter of all time. Historic season for the Warriors. He hits shots others don’t even take. Easiest pick of all time.
Dustin: Steph Curry – Because, Duh!
Manuel: Russell Westbrook – 18 triple doubles, vicious dunks. You got to love this one man army. Wait! Don’t forget about Kobe. He has been the most valuable for the league in terms of legend status. His last game will go down in history as the greatest farewell ever.
Max: Steph Curry – Because…
And the winner is….
Most Improved Player
Nominees
Martin: Draymond Green – Green can do it all. He is a triple-double monster. If he keeps going he might at some point actually become the first player since the “Big O“ Oscar Robertson to average a triple-double in a season.
Robbin: Giannis Antetokounmpo – Freak of nature. Made the jump from „talented-Euro“ to Franchise Player. This guy has the potential to change the game.
Dustin: Giannis Antetokounmpo – An athletic freak who had no problem at all with switching to point forward – on the verge of becoming a star!
Manuel: Isaiah Thomas – He made the transition from a young talented point guard to an absolute leader on the court who guided his team to the playoffs. Selected All-Star for the first time as well
Max: Kemba Walker – He’s now hitting threes – and the Hornets made the playoffs. Two things that were pretty hard to predict.
And the winner is…
Defensive Player of the Year
Nominees
Martin: Kawhi Leonard – I doubt that the Spurs will be able to capture the trophy this year, so Kawhi has to be content with this kind of hardware. It’s a bit misleading ’cause he’s so good at the offensive end as well. Another plus is that he looks almost exactly like my character from GTA: San Andreas back in the days. Good memories.
Robbin: Kawhi Leonard – Was already the league’s best defender last season. Nothing has changed. Except that he has gotten even better.
Dustin: Draymond Green – The energy he gives that warriors defense beats Leonard in terms of value to the team.
Manuel: Draymond Green – He has got his teammates’ backs so that they can do their magic on the offensive end.
Max: Kawhi Leonard. By far the best defender in the league. Period.
And the winner is…
Rookie of the Year
Nominees
Martin: Karl-Anthony Towns – KAT is amazing. He’s gotta be the best 3-name player since Kareem. Great things will happen for this guy in the future.
Robbin: Karl Anthony Towns – Best rookie big man since Tim Duncan. Future NBA superstar. Let’s see how long he stays in Minnesota.
Dustin: Karl Anthony Towns – Very dominant already, showing off more than just Big Man Skills
Manuel: Kristaps Porzingis – Porzingod was hyped during the season. He was not able to keep the level throughout all games. But still he showed us an incredible first year introducing his European Swag to the NBA.
Max: Crazy-eye-wise? Bobby Portis. Playing-wise? Karl-Anthony Towns. In his first season he’s already considered one of the best and versatile big men in the league. That’s impressive.
And the winner is…
Sixth Man of the Year
Nominees
Martin: Jeremy Lin – Wait, this isn’t the award for Most Improved Haircut? Well, anyway Lin found a new home in Charlotte and has been a great contributor off the bench, leading the Hornets’ second unit.
Robbin: Andre Igoudala – Iggy is the glue that keeps the team together and he is the leader of an underestimated Warriors bench.
Dustin: JJ Barea – Pulled off some crazy clutch performances at the end of the season.
Manuel: Jamal Crawford – The veteran still has it. When he enters the court he can become the scoring machine we know hitting every shot when he is on fire.
Max: Manu Ginobili – Still old, still effective, still very good.
And the winner is…
Coach of the Year
Nominees
Martin: Lebron James – Whoever thought Tyronn Lue was the Cavs coach, has to think twice after seeing Lebron actually coaching the team while being sidelined against the Rockets recently. So we have to give Lebron credit for making Cleveland an actual team.
Robbin: Steve Kerr – will probably get it but Boston’s Brad Stevens deserves this. Steering the Celts back into contention with THAT roster.
Dustin: Steve Kerr – The Record!
Manuel: Greg Popovich – Maybe Kerr has got the record. But Pop is just the coolest coach and a father figure at the same time. He manages to put together a team that can win the title year after year.
Max: Brad Stevens – It’s hard to find a team that is better coached than the Celtics. They’re good yet not overly talented, but made the playoffs quite easily. Thanks, Coach!
And the winner is…
Honorable Mention
Most Ridiculous Player of the Year goes to Jahlil Okafor – He might be talented but he has to step his game up off the court as well. Knocking out a guy in a street fight, allegedly trying to buy booze with a fake ID and driving 108 mph on bridge with 45 mph speed limit. Nothing to be proud of.
PHILADELPHIA,PA – FEBRUARY 8: Jahlil Okafor #8 of the Philadelphia 76ers backs up to the basket against the Los Angeles Clippers at Wells Fargo Center on February 8, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Fail of the Year goes to D’Angelo Russell Video – Asking your engaged friend about being with other women, taping it and having it leaked to the public. WTF?!
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 6: D’Angelo Russell #1 of the Los Angeles Lakers dribbles the ball against the Los Angeles Clippers on April 6, 2016 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Funniest thing of the Year goes to James Harden Defense – It has reached the point where it went from being funny to are-you-kidding-me back to being hilarious. This guy is lazy on another level.
SACRAMENTO, CA – DECEMBER 15: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on December 15, 2015 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2015 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
Strangest thing of the Year goes to Blake Griffin’s Hand – Punching the team’s equipment manager and breaking his freakin hand has gotta be in the „wait, what?!“ hall of fame.
the Memphis Grizzlies the Los Angeles Clippers during Game Five of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2013 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 30, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. The Grizlies won 103-93. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Uncle Drew Award goes to Kobe Bryant. For most of his final year the Mamba pretended to be old. But there were those games where Kobe showed his real self. The last game spoke for itself.
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 13: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers waves to the crowd as he walks off the court after the game against the Utah Jazz on April 13, 2016 at Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2016 NBAE (Photo by Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images)