Though none of us have a ballot for the NBA’s official awards, we’ll be presenting our choices and making our cases this week for each major honor.
Kurt Helin
1. Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
3. Trey Burke, Utah Jazz
This is pretty clear cut to me — MCW was the best of an underwhelming rookie class (as expected after a down draft). He leads all rookies in scoring (16.6 per game), assists (6.3), rebounding (6.1) and steals (1.9). Yes, things like his jump shot still need work — of course they do, he’s a rookie! All rookies need to develop their game, even ones that spend four years in college. Yes, the Sixers play at a fast pace that helped pad his numbers, he still had the best rookie season out of anyone in this class.
Brett Pollakoff
1. Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
3. Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets
Michael Carter-Williams has been the most consistent, and has shown a surprising ability to be a triple-double threat when the opportunity is right. Oladipo is the somewhat obligatory second choice, and while there are certainly others who could be argued into third, Plumlee gets my vote for stepping into the Nets’ starting lineup in Kevin Garnett’s absence and admirably holding things down.
Dan Feldman
1. Michael Carter-Williams, Philadelphia 76ers
2. Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic
3. Trey Burke, Utah Jazz
The first two spots were easy to assign, especially No. 1. Carter-Williams rose above the rest of his rookie class on Day 1 and stayed there all season. Burke narrowly edges Plumlee, because I’ve been more impressed with Burke elevating Utah’s offense himself while Plumlee has gone along for the ride with a veteran Nets team.
