Made with Blur
Awards are what the best of the best strive for, a physical validation of excellence, and a staple of America's competitive nature. The NBA is holding its second annual award show tonight, and the league's biggest stars will be honored. This is nothing like that.
Most award shows involve some form of politics or voter bias; but as the deep-fried cover picture of J.R. Smith suggests, this isn't like most awards shows. Tonight, SoundSports is honoring both the good and bad of the 2017-2018 NBA season.
The Chandler Parson's Award
Via NBA.com
In two years, Chandler Parsons has collected a little over $45 million, while playing a high of 36 games and failing to average over eight points in either season. No one, including his former employer/close friend Mark Cuban, thought Parsons was worth anything near the max; but, despite all odds and two knee surgeries in as many years, Parsons managed to limp away from free agency with a near nine-figure contract.
This award goes to the player who will embody Chandler Parson's legacy of inexplicably getting a contract above their reasonable contribution. This year's recipient is none other than Boston's Marcus Smart.
Putting Marcus Smart in the same category as Chandler Parsons is admittedly disrespectful to Smart, but the Boston backup guard, much like Parsons, is in for a payday he shouldn't be expected to live up to. Smart is a restricted free agent, which means teams are going to have to overpay to get him out of a Celtics uniform. Add Smart's restricted status to his belief to be worth a yearly salary, "more than $12-14 million", then you end up with a very good role player having to face starter expectations.
Honorable Mention(s): Clint Capela, Tyreke Evans, Joe Harris
The James Harden Award
Before becoming a perennial MVP candidate, who averages 30 a night, while wearing his own signature shoe, James Harden was viewed as a super sixth man. One dynasty-altering trade later and the rest is history, but that's an article for another day.
The James Harden award goes to a player that embodies Harden's tenure in OKC--a bench player who's a would-be star anywhere else. After a series of playoff highlights and failed LeBron poster attempts, Terry Rozier is the clear winner for this year's James Harden award.
Stepping in for the injured Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier proved he's an NBA starting point guard and then some. Rozier averaged an impressive 16/5/5 statline, while outplaying both Ben Simmons and D̶r̶e̶w̶ Eric Bledsoe in their respective series. Rozier's postseason was so impressive some basketball minds even tossed out the idea of Scary Terry replacing Uncle Drew in Boston. Not all ideas are good, but the fact that there are genuine beliefs that Terry Rozier is better for Boston than Kyrie Irving shows just how high his potential is valued.
Honorable Mention(s): Fred Van Vleet, Spencer Dinwiddie
Saved Your Job Award (Coaches' Edition)
Via Sporting News
Alvin Gentry led the Pelicans to a borderline tank record of 64-100 in his first two seasons as head coach. Gentry's first two seasons were equivalent to jamming a square peg in a round hole; but then his personnel started to match his coaching style, and suddenly the pieces started to fit. The Pelicans climbed all the way to the third seed in the Western Conference before star bigman DeMarcus Cousins went down with a season-ending Achilles injury, but Gentry and the Pelicans prevailed. A Warriors-esque play style matched with an MVP caliber season from Anthony Davis carried New Orleans to a first-round sweep and Gentry's option to be picked up the by the organization.
Honorable Mention(s): Brett Brown
Saved Your Job (Player's Edition)
Despite missing 30 games, Kris Dunn solidified his spot in Chicago's backcourt for the foreseeable future. After a forgettable rookie season, Dunn increased his scoring by double digits, more than doubled his rebound and assists averages, and increased in literally every shooting percentage.
Nevertheless, the best part about the former fifth overall pick's game has nothing to do with the offensive side of the floor. Kris Dunn was a menace on defense, finishing third in the league in steals(2.1 per game). Dunn is a prime example of what a change in organizations can do for a player, and why the word "bust" shouldn't be placed on a player so early.
Honorable Mention(s): JaVale Mcgee, Julius Randle, Rajon Rondo
The "Empty Stats" Award
Minnesota Kevin Love. Late-tenure Knicks Carmelo Anthony. Kings DeMarcus Cousins.
These are all prime examples of players putting up eye-popping numbers, but the stats either didn't translate to wins or the player couldn't put up the same numbers when needed the most.
Tracy McGrady is doing the honor of giving out this year's Empty Stats award.
If the video wasn't clear enough, this year's 'Empty Stats Award' goes to third-team All-NBA center Karl Anthony-Towns. Leading the league in double-doubles(68) while finishing top-15 in blocks per game(1.4) and three-point percentage(42%), Towns was undoubtedly deserving of his All-NBA honors; however, when the Timberwolves needed him most he lacked the aggression of a player with such honors. In Minnesota's first playoff appearance in 14 years, the star big man's scoring, three-point percentage, field goal percentage, free throw attempts, and field goal attempts all dropped. The 22 year-old's playoff debut was so concerning many began speculating whether or not he truly is a franchise cornerstone.
Honorable Mention(s): Russell Westbrook
"Wait, he's still in the league ?" Award
Via BSN Denver
Double-double machine? Check.
Check. Hustle 24/7? Check.
One of the best nicknames in the league? Check.
Two of those three above checks are valid points for a player being a key rotational piece, yet Kenneth Faried is getting as much playing time as 38 year-old Richard Jefferson in Denver. The former team USA champion's fall from rotational relevance has less to do with his game and more to do with a surplus of bigs in Denver. Stars like Nikola Jokic and Paul Milsap along with versatile forwards like Wilson Chandler and Trey Lyles are the blockage leaving many basketball fans wondering where is Kenneth Faried.
Honorable Mention(s): Luol Deng