Non-MVP Award Races- Part 1

While the MVP race is a hot topic in the NBA, many forget the other award races going on in the association. Let's take a look at my favorites for the following award races- Rookie of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year

Rookie of the Year

Andrew Wiggins (Minnesota SF)- Wiggins is averaging 14.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game for the Timberwolves, but is starting to show signs of his true potential. His athleticism and raw talent are matched by none in this rookie class, and the award is his to lose. Wiggins is putting up 21.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.8 assists on 49% shooting in the month of January.

Source

Nikola Mirotic (Chicago PF)- The 23-year-old power forward for the Bulls is recording 8.0 points and 5.1 rebounds a game, despite playing behind Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. He has stepped up whenever either one of those big men have been injured, and will continue to play a vital bench role in head coach Tom Thibodeau's rotation.

Source

K.J. McDaniels (Philadelphia SG)- For a guy taken in the second round (32nd overall), McDaniels is proving every team that didn't take him in the first round wrong. His athleticism and defensive prowess has been a positive sign for the 76ers this year, offense is coming along game-by-game. He is receiving steady minutes and should continue to do so for the rest of the season, making him a great dark horse for ROY. If McDaniels' can have a solid three months on offense, he could steal the award from Wiggins.

Source

2014 Rookie of the Year Results

Sixth Man of the Year

Manu Ginobili (San Antonio SG)- Ginobili seems to be on the ballot every year, and he continues to put up strong numbers for the Spurs. He is scoring 12.5 points, and dishing out 5.0 assists a game, which will be a career-high if that number holds for the 37-year-old. His 42% shooting could be a little better, but Ginobili is hitting 37% of his 3-point attempts, and barring an injury, will be in the sixth man conversation come April.

Source

Taj Gibson (Chicago PF)- Gibson finished second behind Jamal Crawford last season for the Sixth Man award, and his hustle and rebounding will one day earn him a starting job. For now, he his putting his talents to good use off the bench, putting up splits of 11.6/6.9/51% (Pts, Reb, FG%) in just under 29 minuets a game.

Source

Jamal Crawford (Los Angeles SG)- Much like Ginobili, Crawford is a name synonymous with top sixth men and he was also last years' winner of the award. His 3-point shooting and overall scoring ability remains constant for the Los angeles Clippers, and he will be contending for his third Sixth Man of the Year award in the Spring.

Source

2014 Sixth Man of the Year Results

Stay tuned for another article on the following award races- Most Improved, Defensive Player and Coach of the Year.

2014-15 NBA Standings 

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories will by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on twitter @Lower_Merion33

*All stats courtesy of ESPN

New Years Eve Recap

Top Performances 

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City SF)- Scored a season-high 44 points (13-23 FG) in a 137-134 overtime win against the Phoenix Suns. Durant didn't miss a beat after not playing in six straight games because of a twisted ankle, as he also grabbed 10 rebounds and dished out seven assists. He logged 40 minutes of playing time, and appears to be fully healthy once again.

Source

James Harden (Houston SG)- Hit a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 36 points in a 102-83 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Harden simply caught fire last night from deep, and also chipped in seven rebounds and six assists. He has now scored over 30 points in four of his last five games, all while dealing with a hamstring injury.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDID8Zoi_FM

Manu Ginobili (San Antonio SG)- Tallied a team-high 25 points in a 95-93 win over the New Orleans Pelicans. Ginobili also grabbed seven rebounds and hit five 3-pointers in the victory, and is having a solid season at age 37, scoring just over 13 points a game.

Source

Anthony Davis (New Orleans PF/C)- Recorded a double-double of 24 points and 12 rebounds in a loss to the Spurs. It was just another night in the office for the young MVP candidate, as he went up against Tim Duncan for most of the game. While they aren't winning a ton of games, the Pelicans have found their centerpiece for the next 10 years in Davis.

2014-15 NBA Standings

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33

Christmas Day Recap

Top Performances

John Wall (Washington PG)- Recorded 24 points, 11 assists and six rebounds in a 102-91 win over the New York Knicks. Wall was able to get into the lane at will during the contest, and is continuing to have a phenomenal season. His assists and points are consistent, and he continues to provide numbers in defensive areas as well. The Wizards are now 10-1 when wall scores 20+ points this year.

Source

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Dropped 34 points, 11 assists and five steals in a 114-106 in over the San Antonio Spurs. Westbrook carried the team once again, as he torched the Spurs throughout the contest. He started out just 1 of 8 from the field, but hit 13 of his next 20 shots to score over 30 points for the fifth time in six games. Westrook is asserting himself appropriately for the Thunder during Durant's absence, and is playing some of the best basketball of his career.

Dwyane Wade (Miami SG)- Scored 31 points in a 102-91 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade looked like a much younger version of his self in this game, as he played former teammate LeBron James for the first time this year. The duo won two consecutive titles, made the NBA finals in all four seasons together.

Source

Manu Ginobili (San Antonio SG)- Flirted with a triple-double, scoring seven points, dishing out 13 assists and grabbing seven rebounds in a 114-106 loss to the Thunder. It was quiet scoring game for Ginobili, but he stuffed the rest of the stat sheet for the Spurs. He has now dished out 10+ assists in his last two games.

Pau Gasol (Chicago PF/C)- Dominated the Lakers to the tune of 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 113-93 Christmas Day win. Gasol played with a little something extra last night, as he was facing his former team in the Lakers, where he helped them win two championships in six seasons. He continues to post strong numbers and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Source

Luol Deng (Miami SF)- Tallied 25 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in the Heat's win over Cleveland. Deng hit 11 of 16 shots from the field, and also added in eight assists and eight rebounds in the win. The talented two-way forward had one of his best games of the season, and has scored over 20 points in two out of his last three games.

Play of the Night

Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade threw down a thunderous put-back dunk of Cavs forward Kevin Love during Thursdays' contest. It was a vintage Wade play, as he kept track of the ball and slashed into the lane, elevating for the finish that brought the crowd to their feet.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ei4Z3HW314

2014-15 NBA Standings

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.

Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33

Daily Recap- Oct. 31st

Who Was Hot

Rudy Gay- Gay absolutely torched the Portland TrailBlazers Friday night, scoring 40 points in a 103-94 win for the Sacramento Kings. He did it efficiently, shooting 13-19 from the field, and also added eight rebounds.

Zach Randolph- The Memphis Grizzlies' big man scored 22 points (7-14 FG) and pulled down 13 rebounds in a 97-89 win over the Indiana Pacers. Just another day at the office for the product out of Michigan State.

O.J. Mayo- Mayo scored 25 points (8-13 FG, 5 3PM) in a 93-81 Milwaukee Bucks win over the Philadelphia 76ers. The former USC guard will need to produce more nights like this if the Bucks want to win games.

Source- http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/38d2b0b2155308fe59ff150114cb43e805553c40/c=0-0-3540-2661&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/USATODAY/test/2014/01/11//1389484457000-USP-NBA-Charlotte-Bobcats-at-Sacramento-Kings.jpg 

Who Was Not

Mike Conley- Even though Memphis got the win, Conley struggled, scoring 13 points on 6-19 shooting. He also stubbled distributing, as he registered only four assists and committed four turnovers.

Manu Ginobili- The Spurs' 6th man struggled Friday, missing all five shots he took and only scoring two points in a 94-89 loss. It was a tough night for Manu, but Spurs fans shouldn't be too worried going forward.

Goran Dragic- The point guar for the Phoenix Suns struggled in their win over the Spurs, scoring only 10 points, and dishing out just one assist. Just an off night for the Slovenian, but nothing concerning going forward.