With the NBA season coming up, predictions for awards are being talked about everywhere. After seeing all the articles, Cameron Keehley and Zeke Quarles decided to make their own predictions and share them with everyone reading The Arrow.

Most Valuable Player (MVP)

Zeke’s Prediction: I have Anthony Davis winning the MVP this year. Davis is already the best big man in the NBA. After all-star counterpart Demarcus Cousins leaving his team, Davis has no one other all stars on his team. Davis will have the ball almost every possession and be expected to do a lot for his team. Davis is also a perennial Defensive Player of the Year candidate, so his defensive abilities and high output in scoring on offense makes him the best candidate for me. But if Davis gets injured, I have Lebron winning. Lebron is always putting up MVP numbers on him being on a team that has no other stars, he has the chance to have a crazy MVP season.

Cameron’s Prediction: Giannis Antetokounmpo. When talking about MVP, you must consider not only stats, but team wins. Giannis led the Bucks to 44 wins last year, while averaging 27 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists on 53% shooting. With the addition of Big man Brook Lopez and rookie Donte DiVincenzo, I have the Bucks winning around 47-49 games this year and finishing 4^th in the east. Considering team wins, that takes Anthony Davis and Lebron James out of the discussion. I don’t see the Pelicans or Lakers finishing in the top 6 of the stacked Western Conference this season. If Giannis and the Bucks manage to finish top 4 in the east, then Giannis will for sure be given the 2019 NBA MVP award.

Rookie of the Year

Zeke’s Prediction: Collin Sexton. Sexton was one of the best guards in the nation during his freshman year at Alabama. In the NDA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him 7^th. Sexton will most likely not be the best player in the draft, but the Cavs situations sets him up for success. Many other top picks have pieces around them to share the ball with, but Sexton joined the team with possibly the worst roster in basketball. He could possibly have the ball every possession, leading him to win rookie of the year.

Cameron’s Predictions: Luka Doncic. Doncic is the most prepared player from the 2018 NBA draft. He’s been playing professional basketball in the Euro league since the age of 16. Doncic is the most versatile player in this rookie class. He can play the 1,2, or 3 and can rebound, shoot, and handle the ball. Luka will be ready to go as soon as he hits the court, unlike other rookies who will take a while to adjust to the next level. With Doncic’s great playmaking and versatility he is a perfect fit to win rookie of the year.

Defensive Player of the Year:

Zeke’s Prediction: Anthony Davis. Davis was one of the best defensive players in the NBA last year. He finished 2^nd in the voting last year, and the player who finished first  is coming off an injury. Davis is a perennial blocks per game leader and excellent stealer for a big man, so his stats back him up.

Cameron’s Prediction: Anthony Davis. Davis was a top 3 candidate last season for defensive player of the year. He averaged 2.6 blocks per game and 1.5 steals per game, which are both higher than last year’s winner, Rudy Gobert. He was the leader in blocks per game last season and was should still be on the rise going into his 7^th season. Now that Anthony Davis is a top two way player in the league he will receive his first defensive player of the year next season.

Most Improved Player of the Year:

Zeke’s Prediction: D’Angelo Russell. Russell is a playmaker with scoring ability and playing on one of the worst rosters in the NBA gives Russell a chance to do a lot of the offensive side of the ball. Russell averaged 15.5 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds. In the new season, Russell could average around 23 points, and would have the same exact stat line that this years Most Improved player had.

Cameron’s Prediction: Markelle Fultz. Fultz had a rough rookie year only averaging 7 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assist. He has a lot to prove, being the number 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA draft. He showed some glimpses of star potential as he became the youngest player in NBA history to record a triple double. I expect Fultz to have a breakout season and average around 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assist, and also be given the most improved player of the year award.

Sixth Man of the Year:

Zeke’s Prediction: Marcus Smart. Smart is coming off the bench for the best team in the east. He’s always one of the best defending guards in the NBA and coming off the Celtics bench he will be expected to lead the offense. Smart has good driving and finishing skills on offense and his two way play style should lead him to his first sixth man of the year.

Cameron’s Prediction: Lou Williams. Williams already has two sixth man of the year awards, and was almost an all-star last season, as a sixth man. He averaged 23 points per game and 5 assist per game. That’s more than lots of NBA starters. Eric Gordon came in second place last year, but Williams had 94 more first place votes. Williams will have another all-star year and will complete the hat trick with his third sixth man of the year award.

Coach of the Year:

Zeke’s Prediction: Brad Stevens. Steven’s finished second in voting last year, and the coach that finished first was fired and is starting new environment in Detroit. Stevens will lead the Celtics to first in the east, possibly having the best record in basketball. Every year Coach of the year goes to one of the coaches with the best record, so having the best record in basketball and never winning it before, should make it an easy win for Stevens.

Cameron’s Prediction: Brad Stevens. Stevens came in second in last year’s race for coach of the year behind Dwane Casey. I expect the Celtics to have over 60 wins this season. Brad Stevens is already one of the best coaches in the league and could have easily won the award last season. Now with everyone on the roster back and healthy, he will easily win the coach of the year award.