Finally, NBA players have had their voices heard.
So long silenced (it’s not like there is media broadcasting much of what they say), the players got the chance to vote and make their choices for some of the top awards in the NBA. The Players’ Awards ceremony — put on by the National Basketball Players’ Association (the players’ union) — took place at the Rio Hotel in Las Vegas and was broadcast on BET Tuesday night.
Who won? Here is the list:
MVP: James Harden, Houston Rockets
Best defender: DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Hardest to guard: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Most clutch: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Coach you most want to play for: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs
Best Homecourt Advantage: Oracle Arena, Golden State Warriors
Player you secretly wish was on your team: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
It’s a secret guys want to play with LeBron?
Ray Allen and Allen Iverson also won awards.
What you think of the players’ vote likely largely depends on whether you think Harden should have won MVP over Curry (I don’t, but it’s not like Harden was a bad choice, he was a close second). Or you think Jordan should have won the defensive award over Kawhi Leonard (who won Defensive Player of the Year).
If this was a hit with players, I’m sure the players’ union will continue to put it on, I’d expect we’ll see it for a few more years at least.