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NBA awards preview and predictions
Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

NBA awards preview and predictions

This slideshow presents the top candidates for the 6 NBA season awards.

 
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MVP: Russell Westbrook

MVP: Russell Westbrook
J Pat Carter/Getty Images

With Kevin Durant leaving Oklahoma City in the offseason, expect Thunder point guard Russell Westbrook to be on a mission to prove he never needed KD in the first place. Westbrook now has complete control over OKC’s offense, meaning he should put up massive numbers this season. Along with huge numbers, if he can will the Thunder into the playoffs, he should be able to earn his first-regular season MVP award.

 
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MVP: LeBron James

MVP: LeBron James
Jason Miller/Getty Images

If there was any doubt LeBron James is one the top five players ever, it was erased this past June in the NBA Finals. After bringing the city of Cleveland its first NBA title ever, King James will now attempt to lead the Cavaliers to back-to-back championships. The importance of accomplishing this task for the sake of his legacy is not lost on LeBron, so expect the four-time MVP to put together one of his best seasons on both ends of the court yet in 2016-17.

 
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MVP: Kawhi Leonard

MVP: Kawhi Leonard
Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

With Tim Duncan retired, the torch has officially been passed to Kawhi Leonard in San Antonio. The Spurs will rely on Kawhi to be their No. 1 option on offense and continue to be the NBA’s best defender. If the 25-year-old can continue his progression as a player and the Spurs win 60-plus games yet again, Leonard will receive MVP consideration.

 
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MVP: Stephen Curry

MVP: Stephen Curry
Stacy Revere/Getty Images

The reigning two-time NBA MVP, Stephen Curry likely would be favored to win this award again if Kevin Durant had not decided to jump ship to the Warriors. Still, Curry is the best shooter the NBA has ever seen and will put gaudy number as usual. Just don’t expect Curry to receive as many MVP votes with KD in the Bay Area.

 
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MVP: Kevin Durant

MVP: Kevin Durant
Kyle Terada/USA Today Images

In the biggest NBA offseason story, Kevin Durant signed with the regular-season record-breaking Golden State Warriors to form basketball’s latest superteam. Durant and Steph Curry will draw MVP votes away from each other, but for as talented a scorer as KD is, the man is always in the preseason conversation for MVP.

 
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Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr

Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr
Kyle Terada/USA Today Images

Granted, having the services of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green makes any coach's job easier. However, handling such massive stars on a day-to-day basis is no simple task. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr will need to find a way to create balance on the court between these four stars, while also integrating new players onto a team that now has limited depth. If the Dubs are able to best their 73-9 record from a year ago, Kerr should win NBA Coach of the Year.

 
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Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich

Coach of the Year: Gregg Popovich
Soobum Im/USA Today Images

Although Gregg Popovich is a Coach of the Year candidate season after season, with Tim Duncan retired and Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili getting older, “Pop’s” Spurs face a new set of challenges. Regardless of personnel, Popovich always seems to find a way to make it work in San Antonio. Expect this year to be no different.

 
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Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens

Coach of the Year: Brad Stevens
Noah Graham/Getty Images

In just a few short years, Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has lifted Boston out of the lottery and into contention in the East. One of the youngest coaches in the NBA, Stevens has been able to develop a winning, defense-first culture for a Celtics team that appears to be on the cusp of joining the elite teams in the NBA once again.

 
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Coach of the Year: Tyronn Lue

Coach of the Year: Tyronn Lue
Brett Davis/USA Today Images

After taking over midyear last season in Cleveland, there were no shortage of voices who doubted whether Tyronn Lue was a significant upgrade over David Blatt for the Cavaliers. After Lue masterfully guided the Cavaliers through the playoffs to an NBA title, those voices disappeared. Now set to begin his first full season as a head coach in the NBA, Lue is one of the top candidates for Coach of the Year.

 
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Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau

Coach of the Year: Tom Thibodeau
Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Images

The Minnesota Timberwolves quietly made one of the most impactful signings in the offseason when the team brought in Tom Thibodeau as the new head coach. Thibodeau is the rare defense-first, no-nonsense type of coach whom his players actually like. In Minnesota, “Thibs” has a team of rising stars in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Zach LaVine and Kris Dunn. Expect the T’Wolves to be one of the NBA’s most improved teams this season and Thibodeau to be a major reason why.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard

Defensive Player of the Year: Kawhi Leonard
Ronald Cortes/Getty Images

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year is the favorite to win the award yet again, and at just 25 years, don't expect this to change anytime soon. Leonard as the ability to guard most positions on the floor and takes on the challenge of shadowing the opposition's best player regularly. Now with the Spurs fully his team, Leonard could be a big winner in awards season.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

If it weren't for Kawhi Leonard, Draymond Green would be the best defensive player in the NBA. Green has one of the most unique abilities in the NBA, as he can guard any position on defense. This ability allows the Warriors to switch on defense whenever they please, making dribble penetration against them an extremely difficult task. Throw in the fact that Green is also a capable shot blocker, and it becomes easy to see why he’s one of the best defensive players in the NBA.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Bradley

Defensive Player of the Year: Avery Bradley
Mark L. Baer/USA Today Images

Although he doesn’t possess the size and wingspan you would expect to find in an elite defender, Celtics guard Avery Bradley is one the NBA’s best. He is a tenacious and nimble defender who hardly ever allows opposing players to get dribble penetration. Additionally, Bradley has shown himself to be an expert at reading passing lanes, providing help for teammates and guarding multiple positions. His small stature might prevent him from receiving enough votes, but the tools are there for Bradley to be considered the NBA’s best on defense.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: DeAndre Jordan

Defensive Player of the Year: DeAndre Jordan
Jaime Valdez/USA Today Images

He might not be able to make a free throw to save his life, but Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is a force on the defensive side of the floor. For a player over seven feet tall, Jordan is incredibly quick off of his fee, and provides the Clippers' D with fantastic help off of the weak side. So often, he comes out of nowhere to block a shot. Although he is not the greatest one-on-one defender in the world, the L.A. defense would be lost if it didn’t have Jordan in middle to anchor it.

 
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Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Defensive Player of the Year: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

If you haven’t taken notice of Giannis Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee yet, you’ll have to this year. The “Greek Freak” has the size, wingspan, lateral quickness and patience to become one of the NBA’s best defenders. Expect him to lead the NBA in blocks and steals combined this upcoming season.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid

Rookie of the Year: Joel Embiid
Mitchell Leff/Getty Images

After being selected third overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, Joel Embiid finally will get his rookie season in the NBA going, and he headlines a trio of highly touted rookies for the 76ers along with the injured Ben Simmons and European Dario Saric. It may be easy to forget the former Kansas standout is a rookie, but he is — and he is arguably the favorite to take home Rookie of the Year. If he can stay healthy and bring the Sixers back toward respectability, he just may prove "The Process" was worth it.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Dario Saric

Rookie of the Year: Dario Saric
Bill Streicher/USA Today Images

With rookie teammate Ben Simmons sidelined until January with a broken foot, fellow 76ers rookie Dario Saric opens the 2016-17 season as a Rookie of the Year candidate along with Joel Embiid. Saric, 22, enters the NBA having already played professional basketball in Europe since 2010 and will get plenty of usage on a Philadelphia team in need of scoring. The six-foot-10 power forward is ready to make an instant impact as a rookie in Philly.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Buddy Hield

Rookie of the Year: Buddy Hield
Derick E. Hingle/USA Today Images

Not only has New Orleans Pelicans rookie Buddy Hield already proven he’s a deadly sharpshooter, but with four years of college experience it should be easier for the 22-year-old to adjust to life in the NBA. Hield, the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft, will receive heavy minutes from the outset of the season and get plenty of chances to rack up points from beyond the arc.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons
Stephen R. Sylvanie/USA Today Images

Although he is expected to miss at least the first two months of the NBA season with a broken foot, 2016’s top draft pick Ben Simmons still has a shot at winning Rookie of the Year. If Simmons is back on the court for the 76ers by January and can prove that he is in fact far more advanced of a basketball player than the rest of his rookie class, winning the award isn’t out the question. In particular, if Simmons can help the 76ers actually win a few more games, he’ll be a top candidate for Rookie of the Year.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Kris Dunn

Rookie of the Year: Kris Dunn
Joshua S. Kelly/USA Today Images

Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn has the talent needed to win Rookie of the Year. The question is whether he’ll get the opportunity to play enough with Ricky Rubio and Zach LaVine ahead of him on the depth chart. Additionally, new head coach Tom Thibodeau is usually slow to warm up to rookies, something that doesn’t bode well for Dunn’s Rookie of the Year chances.

 
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Rookie of the Year: Brandon Ingram

Rookie of the Year: Brandon Ingram
Joshua Dahl/USA Today Images

The second overall pick of the 2016 NBA Draft, if Lakers forward Brandon Ingram can develop quicker than expected, he’ll be a top candidate for Rookie of the Year. Ingram has Lakers fans drooling with size, wingspan and silky smooth jump shot, but having just turned 19 years old, he is still a work in progress. That being said, if Ingram receives enough playing time, winning Rookie of the Year wouldn’t be out the question for the former Duke Blue Devil.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Andre Iguodala

Sixth Man of the Year: Andre Iguodala
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Although he’s never won the award, Andre Iguodala has been the NBA’s most impactful sixth man over the past two seasons. True, his days of filling up the box score are likely over, but Iggy is still a ferocious defender who can score when given the chance. Now with limited options on their bench, the Warriors will lean on Iguodala more than ever to lead their second unit. This just might be the year for Iguodala to win his first Sixth Man of the Year award.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford

Sixth Man of the Year: Jamal Crawford
Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Images

A three-time Sixth Man of the Year award winner, expect Clippers guard Jamal Crawford to be in contention to win the award for a fourth time this season. Despite being 36 years old, Crawford can still score at will when he gets into a groove. Crawford will be head coach Doc Rivers' first option off of the bench for the Clips, and the Seattle native looks ready to have another outstanding year on offense.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Brandon Knight

Sixth Man of the Year: Brandon Knight
Issac Baldizon/Getty Images

Assuming Brandon Knight accepts his new role as the first guard off of the bench in Phoenix, he will be a top contender for Sixth Man of the Year. Knight is an extremely well-rounded point guard who should be able to feast on lesser opponents playing on the Suns' second unit. That being said, it’s hard to keep a player of Knight’s caliber out of your starting lineup.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Evan Turner

Sixth Man of the Year: Evan Turner
Gary A. Vasquez/USA Today Images

After rejuvenating his career with the Celtics, swing man Evan Turner signed with the Portland Trail Blazers this past offseason. Whenever Damian Lillard isn’t on the court, head coach Terry Stotts will be running the Blazers' offense through Turner, which should allow the 27-year-old to taken advantage of his creativity as a passer and ability to get to the basket.

 
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Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson
Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Although Lakers head coach Luke Walton has said he prefers guard Jordan Clarkson coming off the bench to start the season, that could change quickly. The third-year guard is the Lakers' best scorer at the moment, and for a team that is expected to struggle, it doesn’t make too much sense to start a veteran over a growing talent in Clarkson. Still, if Clarkson does in fact come off the bench for the majority of season, he’ll be a contender for Sixth Man of the Year.

 
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Most Improved: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Most Improved: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jeff Hanisch/USA Today Images

One of the most tantalizing talents in the NBA, the aforementioned Giannis Antetokounmpo is well on his way to becoming an elite player. The “Greek Freak” can put up huge stats in every major category and looks like he’ll be an All-Star sooner than later. Additionally, Antetokounmpo proved at the end of last season that he is the Bucks' most capable point guard, meaning head coach Jason Kidd will run his offense through the 21-year-old. The 2016-17 season should be his breakout campaign.

 
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Most Improved: D'Angelo Russell

Most Improved: D'Angelo Russell
Kirby Lee/USA Today Images

After a tumultuous rookie campaign, Lakers point guard D’Angelo Russell appears primed to break out in 2016-17. Russell will lead the charge for a Lakers team that is expected to run the floor and shoot more three-pointers than ever before. The talent and opportunity are there for Russell to emerge as a top candidate for Most Improved Player.

 
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Most Improved: Harrison Barnes

Most Improved: Harrison Barnes
Jerome Miron/USA Today Images

Too often the odd man out in Golden State, small forward Harrison Barnes now finds himself on a Dallas Mavericks team that will rely on him to put up numbers. If there was ever a time for Barnes to make good on the talent that made him the seventh overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, it would be now.

 
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Most Improved: Jabari Parker

Most Improved: Jabari Parker
Steve Babineau/Getty Images

Although teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo seems to be drawing most of the attention in Milwaukee, don’t sleep on Jabari Parker. Parker, the second overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, is completely healthy, and with Khris Middleton lost to a hamstring injury, he will get the lion's share of minutes at small forward and even power forward. If Parker can lead the Bucks in scoring, he could become the NBA’s leading candidate for Most Improved Player.

 
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Most Improved: Marcus Smart

Most Improved: Marcus Smart
Bob DeChiara/USA Today Images

If Marcus Smart can ever find a way to become a consistent shooter, he could become one of the best guards in the NBA. Still, even without a consistent jump shot, Smart proved last postseason that he is capable of guarding multiple positions and is never one to shy away from the big moment. If the 22-year-old continues on his current trajectory, Smart should find himself in the conversation for Most Improved Player of the Year.

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