Aside from the debate over MJ vs. LeBron, the debate over who should take home the NBA MVP was the most hotly debated topic as the season progressed. Tonight we learned which player would win that debate when the Rockets’ James Harden was announced as the 2018 NBA MVP at the 2018 NBA Awards.
Harden, who averaged 30.4 ppg and 8.8 apg, lead the League in scoring and ranked third in assists while helping the Rockets make it all the way to the Western Conference Finals before they forgot how to shoot and were eliminated by the Warriors in seven games. Many felt that LeBron, as the greatest player on the planet, deserved to win his fifth League MVP award after a season in which he averaged 27.5 ppg and 9.1 apg, ranking third and second in the League, respectively. But after the votes were tallied, Harden was the one accepting the award from Commissioner Silver at the end of the night.
The night was filled with many other award winners including:
Rookie of the Year- Ben Simmons (Sixers)
Sixth Man of the Year- Lou Williams (Clippers)
Defensive Player of the Year- Rudy Gobert (Jazz)
Most Improved Player- Victor Oladipo (Pacers)
Coach of the Year- Dwane Casey (Raptors)
Basketball Executive of the Year- Daryl Morey (Rockets)
NBA Sportsmanship Award- Kemba Walker (Hornets)
Sager Strong Award- Dikembe Mutombo
Lifetime Achievement Award- Oscar Robertson
Teammate of the Year Award- Jamal Crawford (Timberwolves)
NBA Cares Community Assist Award- Kevin Durant (Warriors)
Play of the Year
Dunk of the Year — Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Clutch Shot of the Year — LeBron James (Cavaliers)
Assist of the Year –LeBron James (Cavaliers)
Block of the Year — Anthony Davis (Pelicans)
Handler of the Year — Kyrie Irving (Celtics)
Best Style- Russell Westbrook (Thunder)
Hustle Award- Amir Johnson (Sixers)
All-NBA First Team
- Anthony Davis, Pelicans
- Kevin Durant, Warriors
- James Harden, Rockets
- LeBron James, Cavaliers
- Damian Lillard, Blazers
NBA All-Rookie Team
- Kyle Kuzma, Lakers
- Lauri Markkanen, Bulls
- Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
- Ben Simmons, 76ers
- Jayson Tatum, Celtics
NBA All-Defensive Team
- Rudy Gobert, Jazz
- Anthony Davis, Pelicans
- Victor Oladipo, Pacers
- Jrue Holiday, Pelicans
- Robert Covington, 76ers
