Most Valuable Player: D’Angelo Russell
WARNING: If you’re one of the fans that think D’Angelo Russell is the second coming of Kwame Brown, this slide is not for you.
No, he hasn’t been the 20 and 10 guy everyone hoped he would be this season, but he’s shown enough for fans to expect that level of play from him in the very near future. With the exception of a mid-season rough patch and a few nagging injuries, Russell has been solid.
Since returning to the starting lineup after nursing a knee injury, Russell has averaged a team-high 19.7 points, 9 assists and 6.7 rebounds. The only other two players to put up at least 19 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds over the last three games have been LeBron James and Russell Westbrook. You know, fringe rotation players.
He is also one of six players in the entire league averaging 9 assists or more over the last three games, putting him alongside players like James, Westbrook, John Wall, Kyrie Irving and Steph Curry. Again, okay players.
It’s hard to label someone a bust when they’re putting up numbers. The biggest quiestion will be how long he can keep this up.
If this is any indication of what fans can expect from their point guard going forward, not too many people will be calling for his head on Twitter. He’ll never be the fastest guy on the court, nor will he be the next Kobe Bryant. But his elite instincts as a playmaker and nose for the basket will earn him fans sooner than later.
Honorable mention: Julius Randle
Next: This rookie is moving on up
But what do you guys think? Did we get this spot on? Was someone more deserving? Will La La Land sweep at the Oscars? Let us know in the comments below!