NBA Social Media Awards: Predicting Which Players Will Win Individual Honors
Dictator David Stern is giving democracy a test run.
The first annual NBA Social Media Awards will be held on Wednesday, June 20th at 9 p.m. ET on NBATV. Rick Fox and Shaquille O’Neal will host the show and reveal the winners of several viral videos and other media voted for by the fans. Here’s who will win each award (via NBA.com).
The Social Slam Award: Blake Griffin (via NBA)
Blake Griffin broke two things with one dunk: Kendrick Perkins’ pride and Twitter. His posterization of the Oklahoma City Thunder’s center trended for days. And unlike the other dunks up for the award, Griffin’s had an aftermath as Perkins debated its significance.
Runner-up: Gerald Green (via NBA)
Pulling off an in-game windmill alley-oop while nearly kissing the rim is kind of like a big deal.
The EPIC Award: Jeremy Lin (via geraldd39)
Whether you embraced it or not, Jeremy Lin’s rise was the story of the year in the NBA. Out of all his magical moments, the biggest was his show against the Los Angeles Lakers. He shut up Kobe Bryant (a nearly impossible task) by putting on a wow-this-dude-is-for-real performance.
Runner-up: Atlanta Hawks and Utah Jazz (via FunnyAxel11)
Now, let’s be real here. Something unbelievably epic has to go down for a Hawks vs. Jazz game to trend on Twitter, let alone be the top trend and their four-overtime game qualifies.
The LOL Award: JaVale McGee (via abdulzebub)
This award winner is the no-brainer of the night (pun intended). In reality, JaVale McGee should be the only player up for the award. The league could’ve easily have found five McGee bloopers and told the fans to pick their favorites.
Runner-up: Nick Young (via thehoopscene)
Before the trade deadline, the Washington Wizards were one “special” team.
The Snap Shot Award: Chris Paul (via @CP3)
"Sittin at home trying to make my son a MASK...he said "Daddy I need my mask for the game 2nite bc I fell and hurt my face" #TooSmart
— Chris Paul (@CP3) March 12, 2012"
This one was tough, but Chris Paul’s son ultimately gets the edge. A little kid dressed up as a superhero is priceless, but a made-up superhero is even more hilarious. I wonder if “Blankman” has learned to flop like his dad yet.
Runner-up: Jeremy Lin and Landry Fields (via @landryfields)
"Ladies and gentlemen, the one and only couch made famous by @JLin7! Let the bidding begin..twitpic.com/8j2vf7
— Landry Fields (@landryfields) February 12, 2012"
While it isn’t as “cute” as the other finalists, the couch’s significance will give it the win if fans went Linsane during the voting process.
The "Got Game" Award: Kevin Durant (via thehoopscene)
After a lengthy lockout, the NBA needed this. Kevin Durant ignited talk of a new era in basketball with a dagger against Dirk Nowitzki and the defending champion Dallas Mavericks—the team that eliminated the Thunder the previous postseason. It set the tone for more clutch performances by Durant throughout the year.
Runner-up: Danilo Gallinari (via NBA)
Danilo Gallinari got game and he showed insane playmaking ability with a no-look, behind-the-back pass to Kenneth Faried for the slam.
Triple Threat Award: Magic Johnson
First off, how in the world is Charles Barkley not up for this award? He’d have won by a landslide.
Anyway, Magic Johnson holds the most influence out of the nominees by far. No other analyst ignited more chaos than after Magic said that Mike Brown should be fired and the Lakers blown up if they went on to lose against the Denver Nuggets.
Runner-up: Kenny Smith
On TNT’s infamous Inside the NBA trio, Kenny Smith's voice is the only logical one more often than not.
David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.
