NBA hosts first ever awards ceremony – Westbrook wins MVP, Bill Russell steals show
For the first time, the NBA hosted an end-of-the season awards show, as the league’s elite, as well as family, friends, and media gathered on Monday night in New York City to find out the recipients of the top honors.
Hall of Famer, Bill Russell- who was awarded the NBA Lifetime Achievement Award- stole the night by telling some fellow, much younger, NBA big men he’d “kick their ass,” as well as emotional and touching speeches from Monty Williams and Russell Westbrook. Westbrook, the Thunder point guard took home the league’s MVP, in addition to Game Winner of the Year and Best Style award.
Here are the winners:
Featured Awards
Most Valuable Player
Winner: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Other finalists: James Harden, Houston Rockets; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Other finalists: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Coach of the Year
Winner: Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets
Other finalists: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs; Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Most Improved Player
Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Other finalists: Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz; Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Sixth Man Award
Winner: Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets
Other finalists: Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors; Lou Williams, Houston Rockets
Rookie of the Year
Winner: Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks
Other finalists: Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers; Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers
Additional Awards
Sager Strong Award
Winner: Monty Williams, San Antonio Spurs
NBA Lifetime Achievement Award
Winner: Bill Russell, Boston Celtics
NBA Sportsmanship Award
Winner: Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets
NBA Cares Community Assist Award
Winner: Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
NBA Hustle Award
Winner: Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets
Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year
Winner: Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks
Executive of the Year
Winner: Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors
Fan Awards
Assist of the Year
Winner: Draymond Green and Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors
Other finalists: Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets; Chris Paul, LA Clippers
Block of the Year
Winner: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs
Other finalists: Hassan Whiteside, Miami Heat; Kristaps Porzingis, New York Knicks
Dunk of the Year
Winner: Victor Oladipo, Oklahoma City Thunder
Other finalists: Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers; Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves
Game Winner of the Year
Winner: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Other finalists: Tyler Ulis, Phoenix Suns; Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Performance of the Year
Best single-game performance in the regular season
Winner: Klay Thompson, Golden State Warriors
Other finalists: James Harden, Houston Rockets; Devin Booker, Phoenix Suns; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Best Playoff Moment
Winner: Kevin Durant, Golden State Warriors
Other finalists: Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics; John Wall, Washington Wizards
Best Style
Winner: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder
Other finalists: Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat; Iman Shumpert, Cleveland Cavaliers
