The National Basketball Players Association used Game 3 of the NBA Finals to announce the remaining winners of the Players’ Voice Awards. James Harden will have been happy to pick up two awards – the coveted NBPA MVP Award and the NBPA Toughest To Guard Award. With impressive stats this season, averaging 30.4 points per game, it is easy to see why he was awarded the MVP.
Some were surprised to see Donovan Mitchell take the Rookie of the Year ahead of Ben Simmons. Whilst he has won this accolade in the Players’ Voice Awards, the results might be quite different when the regular awards are revealed, with Simmons’ per game averages of 15.8 points, 8.2 assists and 8.1 rebounds.
LeBron James is no stranger to winning awards but the award he picked up this time was for his off-court achievements. He won the first ever NBA People’s Champ Award, which is a celebration of how a player uses their platform to positively impact society.
Rundown of the key award winners:
James Harden — The NBPA MVP Award and The NBPA Toughest To Guard Award
LeBron James — The NBPA People’s Champ Award ([best uses his platform to positively impact society])
Vince Carter — The NBPA Most Respected Award (influential veteran)
Russell Westbrook — The NBPA Best Side Hustle Award (best off-court endeavours, in fashion, tech, media, art, etc.) and The NBPA Freshest Award (best style/fashion on and off the court)
Damian Lillard — The NBPA Mr. Clutch Award (most clutch)
PJ Tucker — The NBPA Sneaker Champ Award (best shoe game)
Donovan Mitchell — The NBPA Leader of the New School Award (best rookie)
Rudy Gobert — The NBPA Locksmith Award (best defender)
Lou Williams — The NBPA X-Factor Award (best off the bench)
Russell Westbrook will have been very pleased to be voted the ‘Freshest’ player, leading the game in the fashion stakes as he is often photographed in stylish outfits and custom designs. Westbrook’s own ‘Made-In-LA’ clothing line launched last year and he has even been spotted at Paris Fashion Week, so it isn’t that much of a surprise he took this award.
The union also named “The NBPA Backbone Award for best team leader” on all 30 teams. The winners:
- Atlanta Hawks: Kent Bazemore
- Boston Celtics: Marcus Smart
- Brooklyn Nets: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson
- Charlotte Hornets: Kemba Walker
- Chicago Bulls: Bobby Portis
- Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James
- Dallas Mavericks: Wesley Matthews
- Denver Nuggets: Richard Jefferson
- Detroit Pistons: Andre Drummond
- Golden State Warriors: Draymond Green
- Houston Rockets: P.J. Tucker
- Indiana Pacers: Victor Oladipo
- Los Angeles Clippers: DeAndre Jordan
- Los Angeles Lakers: Julius Randle
- Memphis Grizzlies: Marc Gasol
- Miami Heat: Udonis Haslem
- Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo
- Minnesota Timberwolves: Taj Gibson
- New Orleans Pelicans: Anthony Davis
- New York Knicks: Enes Kanter
- Oklahoma City Thunder: Nick Collison
- Orlando Magic: Marreese Speights
- Philadelphia 76ers: T.J. McConnell
- Phoenix Suns: Alan Williams
- Portland Trail Blazers: Damian Lillard
- Sacramento Kings: Vince Carter
- San Antonio Spurs: LaMarcus Aldridge
- Toronto Raptors: Kyle Lowry
- Utah Jazz: Jae Crowder
- Washington Wizards: John Wall