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.

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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.

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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.

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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 

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*All stats courtesy of ESPN

Daily Recap- Dec. 19

Who Was Hot

Blake Griffin (Los Angeles PF)- Tallied 32 points and 12 rebounds in a 109-106 loss to the Denver Nuggets. Griffin has scored 30+ points and grabbed 12 or more rebounds in back-to-back games, and appears to be playing more consistently for head coach Doc Rivers.

Source

Damian Lillard/LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland PG/PF)- Lillard scored a career-high 43 points, while Aldridge tallied 32 in a 129-119 triple overtime win over the San Antonio Spurs. The Portland duo played fantastic once again, as Lillard hit game-tying shots at the end of regulation and double overtime, while Aldridge grabbed a season-high 16 rebounds in one of

Trail Blazers' biggest wins of the season.

Lillard now leads the NBA in game-tying or go ahead field goals in the last 15 seconds of the 4th quarter/overtime over the last three seasons.

Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City PG)- Scored 31 points and dished out 10 assists in a 104-103 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. Westbrook has been on a tear since his return from injury, and has scored 30 or more points in four of his last five games. If Durant continues to miss games, Westbrook could thrust himself into the MVP conversation quickly, as long as his consistent play holds up.

Source

Jimmy Butler/Nikola Mirotic (Chicago SG/PF)- Butler registered 31 points and 10 rebounds, while Mirotic tallied a career-high 27 points (7-8 3pt FG) in a 103-97 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. Mirotic played extra minutes with Taj Gibson out due to injury, and made the most of his playing time, while Butler had a second straight 30 point game. The young shooting guard continues to have stellar season, and is likely to be an all-star as long as his play holds up in the future.

Play of the Night

Toronto's James Johnson threw down a terrific slam over Detroit Pistons' center Andre Drummond on Friday night. The dunk got the entire Toronto bench on their feet, and the Raptors went on to win by a score of 110-100.

Link- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW9gBpjqAjg

2014-15 NBA Standings

Check out bunow.com for local and national stories written by Bloomsburg University students.
Follow me on Twitter @Lower_Merion33

NBA Rookies of the Week: Nov. 17-23

Jabari Parker (Milwaukee SF)-  Had a strong week, posting a stat line of 14 ppg, 5.75 rpg and 1.5 spg over a four-game stretch. Parker shot 50% from the field (22-44 FG), as the Bucks won two out of their four games, beating the Knicks and Nets early in the week. The 19-year-old was active on defense and on the boards, and continues to mold his game into a complete one. Parker is averaging 11.6 ppg and 5.6 rpg for the season.

Source- http://uwmpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/parker1.jpg 

Kostas Papanikolaou (Houston SF/PF)- Had his best week of the season, averaging 11.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, and 3.0 apg  during Houston's 3-game stretch. Papanikolaou struggled with his shot (43%), but was able to contribute in other categories, as he saw increased minutes thanks to Dwight Howard's injury. He should continue to receive solid minutes off of the bench, and is averaging 6.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg and 2.8 apg on the season.

Source- http://ww3.hdnux.com/photos/32/47/60/6978574/57/960x540.jpg 

Nikola Mirotic (Chicago PF)- Mirotic saw extra minutes as Pau Gasol was hurt, and averaged 14.3 ppg and 7.7 rpg during Chicago's 3-game road trip. The 23-year-old shot 50% from the field, and had his best game of the year, scoring 24 point and grabbing 11 rebounds in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Mirotic continues to showcase a nice shot from the perimeter and will see solid minutes off the bench moving forward.

Source- http://cdn.fansided.com/wp-content/blogs.dir/307/files/2014/10/zaza-pachulia-nikola-mirotic-nba-preseason-chicago-bulls-milwaukee-bucks1-850x560.jpg 

Daily Recap- Nov. 21.

Who Was Hot

Jeff Teague (Atlanta PG)- Scored a season-high 28 points on 9-15 shooting, in a 99-89 win over the Detroit Pistons on Friday night. Teague also chipped in six assists, two steals and two blocks in what was one of his best games of the year.

Nikola Mirotic (Chicago PF)- Tallied 24 points and 11 rebounds in Chicago's 105-87 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers. Mirotic played extra minutes when Taj Gibson, who was starting in place of an injured Pau Gasol, left the game with an ankle injury. He hit 7 of 14 shots from the field, including four 3-pointers in the game.

Source- http://www.rantsports.com/nba/files/2014/10/nikola-mirotic-4.jpg 

John Wall (Washington PG)- Broke out of his shooting slump, scoring 28 points on 12-20 shooting in a 91-78 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers Friday night. Wall filled up the stat sheet besides scoring,  recording seven assists, six rebounds and four steals in the statement win over LeBron James and company.

Zach Randolph (Memphis PF)- Posted a double-double of 16 points and 16 rebounds in a 117-100 win over the Boston Celtics. It was just another day at the office for Randolph who seems to put up double-doubles on pretty much a nightly basis for the Grizzlies.

Source- http://a.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=/i/headshots/nba/players/full/1017.png&w=350&h=254 

Dallas Mavericks- The Mavs dominated the Lakers on Friday, winning by a score of 140-106. Dallas  had eight players in double figures, with Dirk Nowitzki scoring 23 points, while Monta Ellis scored 20 points and had 10 assists. As a team, the Mavericks shot 62% from the field and 51% from three-point range.

Who Was Not

Trey Bruke (Utah Jazz PG)- Scored only two points on 1-8 shooting in a 101-88 loss to the Golden State Warriors. Burke has had trouble scoring the ball this year, averaging a little under 10 points a game on 32% shooting from the field.

Ryan Anderson (New Orleans PF)- Scored only 10 points on 2-11 shooting in a 117-97 loss to the Denver Nuggets Friday night. It marked the second time all season the Anderson failed to record a 3-pointer in a game.

Nick Young (Los Angeles SG/SF)- Shot 2-7 from the field, tallying only five points in a 140-106 loss to the Dallas Mavericks. Young cooled off after scoring 16 or more points in his first two games of the season (missed first 10 games due to hand injury).