Monthly NBA Awards: Selecting the December Winner in Every Category
According to the individual numbers, it's been the season of Anthony Davis, a case study in multifaceted dominance that could well snag him Defensive Player of the Year honors, a Most Improved Player Award, an MVP itself or—conceivably—all of the above.
Unfortunately, year-end awards don't live and die on those individual statistics alone. They're a more complicated beast and are often inextricably linked to team-wide performances and other broad measures of success. That's a problem for Davis, because the New Orleans Pelicans' 26th-ranked defense isn't very good, and—frankly—neither are they.
So while the third-year pro must wait for his team to catch up with him, the good news is others around the league just might have a shot at winning some trophies at season's end.
Here's a look at who's made the biggest statement in each award category this month, assessing December contributions alone in races that still have quite a ways to go.
Statistics and records current as of games played on Dec. 26.
Sixth Man of the Year: Manu Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
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December Per-Game Averages: 14.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.6 steals, 0.1 blocks
It's been a month to forget for the reigning champion San Antonio Spurs, with a 6-9 slide fueled by injuries to Tony Parker (hamstring) and Kawhi Leonard (torn hand ligament). But amid the adversity, 37-year-old Manu Ginobili has rivaled teammate Tim Duncan's remarkable longevity at age 38.
After making just 31.8 percent of his three-point attempts and only mustering single-figure scoring seven times in November, the 13th-year veteran has made a vastly improved 39.7 percent of those long-range attempts while tallying double-figure points in his first 11 appearances this month. That includes a Dec. 1 game against the Philadelphia 76ers in which he posted 14 points in just 13 minutes.
The injuries to Parker and Leonard have created an additional need for playmaking and scoring on the wing, the two things Ginobili does best. He contributed back-to-back double-doubles in recent meetings with the Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder, collecting a combined 30 points and 23 assists while twice making at least 60 percent of his field-goal attempts.
On Dec. 17, he racked up 21 points, eight rebounds and eights assists in a classic 117-116 triple-overtime loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. Even more impressively, he lasted 41 minutes in the contest—his most since April 27, 2011.
For the season, the Spurs are outscoring opponents by 8.9 points per 100 possessions with Ginobili in the game, according to NBA.com, currently the team's second-best net rating (behind Kawhi Leonard at 12.1 points per 100 possessions).
Ginobili has missed four games in December as per head coach Gregg Popovich's longstanding practice of sporadically resting his key veterans during the regular season. As San Antonio's rotation returns to full health, Popovich will likely look to preserve his elder sixth man even more, potentially endangering sixth-man honors at season's end in the process.
Two more probable hopefuls were also outstanding this month.
Chicago Bulls big man Taj Gibson has averaged 12 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.8 blocks while converting on 53.8 percent of his field-goal attempts. And Phoenix Suns point guard Isaiah Thomas is tallying 15 points and 3.6 assists per game after an ankle injury sidelined him for eight games (including three in November).
Runner-Up: Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
Honorable Mention: Isaiah Thomas, Phoenix Suns
Most Improved Player: Jimmy Butler, Chicago Bulls
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December Per-Game Averages: 21.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 1.4 steals, 0.9 blocks
This race hasn't been close so far this season. Chicago Bulls swingman Jimmy Butler has excelled, evolving into the perfect complement for point guard Derrick Rose and the club's deep front-line rotation.
Sure, Anthony Davis has gone from breakout star to MVP hopeful, but he was already dominant a season ago. Despite marked improvements on the offensive end (evidenced by this season's increase of 3.6 points per contest), his game can only improve so much.
Butler is a different story.
In addition to this season's absurd 8.5-point growth in per-game scoring, the 25-year-old is also getting more rebounds (1.3) and assists (0.8). The numbers reflect a radical evolution in his role. He's getting more touches, and now there's a greater expectation that he creates offense. Whether backing opponents down in the post or spotting up on the wing, the Marquette product has become a dangerously efficient scorer.
Butler's defensive ability was never in doubt, but his rapid ascension on the other end of the floor has quickly become one of the season's best stories. And it's been instrumental to Chicago's 20-9 start, particularly with Rose appearing in only 19 of those contests.
"Man, he's playing at a super high level," Washington Wizards veteran Paul Pierce told reporters earlier this month. "If the All-Star Game started today, I'd probably peg him as a starter. If it wasn't a popularity contest, that's how great he's been playing."
Klay Thompson may be the best scorer at his position this side of James Harden, but one could argue Butler is the better all-around shooting guard. For the season, his 22.13 player efficiency rating ranks third among 2-guards, according to Hollinger Player Stats, comfortably ahead of Thompson's 19.68 mark.
Though Butler's essentially a lock for the award at season's end, it's worth making note of the season 20-year-old Giannis Antetokounmpo is having for the Milwaukee Bucks. The Greek Freak has tallied 12.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per contest this month—significant improvements over the 6.8 points, 4.4 rebounds and 1.9 assists he averaged a season ago.
He's also made 51 percent of his field-goal attempts in December after converting on just 41.4 percent of his looks as a rookie. It's not enough to compete with Butler's emergence, but it is an encouraging sign from one of the league's most athletic talents.
If there's any real threat to Butler snagging Most Improved honors, it'll likely come from Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green. For the season, he's nearly doubled his scoring to 12.1 points per game while raising his per-game rebound average from 5.0 to 8.0. He's also a big factor with steals and blocks, averaging 1.4 in each category.
David Lee's injury-plagued start has had a lot to do with the extra opportunities, but Green has taken full advantage in his third pro season.
Runner-Up: Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Honorable Mention: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Defensive Player of the Year: Serge Ibaka, Oklahoma City Thunder
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December Per-Game Averages: 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds, 0.7 assists, 3.0 blocks, 0.4 steals
Golden State Warriors center Andrew Bogut may well deserve this award by season's end, but he was sidelined eight games in December (and limited to just two minutes in another) on account of a knee injury. Houston Rockets center Dwight Howard should be in the conversation as well, but he's been held to just six appearances this month.
According to Hollinger Team Stats, the Warriors and Rockets rank first and second, respectively, in defensive efficiency, and their big men have had a lot to do with that. But as far as December is concerned, others have made greater impacts.
Serge Ibaka and Tim Duncan have stood out in particular thanks to critical contributions to defenses that currently rank fifth and sixth in efficiency. The former gets the edge due to his relentless rim protection, mobility in pick-and-roll situations and versatility as another long body who can guard the wing.
Yet his advantage over Duncan is anything but clear-cut at the moment.
Consider their defensive ratings. Oklahoma City allows 98.5 points per 100 possessions with Ibaka in the lineup and 102.1 points when he's on the bench. San Antonio also allows opponents 98.5 points per 100 possessions when Duncan's on the floor, but it suffers even more than OKC sans Ibaka when he isn't. The Spurs give up 103.2 points per 100 possessions when the five-time champion sits.
Other factors—like the second unit's overall defensive pedigree—can certainly impact that equation as well, but there's no question Duncan remains a defensive force in his 18th season.
In November, San Antonio Express-News scribe Dan McCarney argued that should he continue the strong defensive showings, "At the very least Duncan would stand a strong chance of reclaiming a spot on the All-Defensive team, something he failed to do last season for just the third time in his career."
His vintage December includes averages of 19 points, 12.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 blocks in 35.3 minutes per game. And while it may help his odds of an All-Star return, it's hard to ignore Ibaka's ability to single-handedly change games at the basket.
He collected a season-high seven blocks in a 104-92 win against the Sacramento Kings and swatted at least four shots five other times in December. For the month, his Thunder have held opponents to 94 or fewer points seven times, all wins. Ibaka's presence alone serves as a deterrent to otherwise high-percentage field-goal attempts in the paint, and it's difficult to fully measure the scope of his defensive impact.
Suffice it to say, we shouldn't be surprised Oklahoma City has allowed opponents just 39.9 points in the paint per game this season, the league's seventh-best mark, according to TeamRankings.com.
This time the shoutout goes to Anthony Davis, who, in terms of individual numbers, has been freakishly good. He's racked up 2.8 blocks and 1.3 steals per contest in December, highlighting his ability to frustrate offenses in multiple ways.
Unfortunately, it hasn't been enough. The New Orleans Pelicans have allowed 106.8 points per 100 possessions this season, ranking them a lowly 26th in defensive efficiency, according to Hollinger Team Stats.
Runner-Up: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs
Honorable Mention: Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
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December Per-Game Averages: 14.5 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.9 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.6 blocks
Jabari Parker's December was living up to his impressive November until a torn ACL ended his season on Dec. 15. On pace for serious Rookie of the Year consideration, the Duke product was averaging 13.4 points and 4.1 rebounds through the month's first seven appearances.
But it was another injury that paved the way for Minnesota Timberwolves swingman Andrew Wiggins to pull ahead in the rookie race. When shooting guard Kevin Martin went down in November with a wrist injury, Wiggins became an even more prominent part of the club's offensive attack.
Though he's made only 39.3 percent of his field-goal attempts in December, he has made the most of his slashing ability and taken 5.1 free throws per contest. It hasn't been enough to avoid Minnesota's 5-23 start, but that's life for an organization that's only begun to rebuild after losing superstar forward Kevin Love via trade to the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.
Though his career-high 29 points came in November, Wiggins has tallied at least 21 points four times in December—attempting at least eight free throws on each occasion. The 19-year-old is still relying heavily on his athleticism and finishing ability, but his offensive ceiling will be high once his range improves.
Wiggins' consistent scoring has been a nice surprise, but it may be his defensive chops that lock up those Rookie of the Year honors. "We put him on Kobe [Bryant], we've put him on James Harden," Timberwolves president and head coach Flip Saunders told reporters earlier this month. "He's been able to handle everything defensively. He isn't afraid of a challenge. Gets into it and goes after it."
To whatever extent there's a rival to Wiggins' rookie campaign, it's because Philadelphia 76ers big man Nerlens Noel is also proving himself on the defensive end. His 7.9 points and 7.5 rebounds per game may not wow you, but the 1.7 blocks and 1.9 steals should.
Having lost his true rookie season to injury, Noel's rise makes for a good story. With a little progress on the offensive end, the gap between him and Wiggins could narrow by season's end.
Runner-Up: Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
Honorable Mention: Jabari Parker, Milwaukee Bucks
Coach of the Year: Steve Kerr, Golden State Warriors
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Season Stats and Ranks: 23-5 (No. 1), 112.3 ORtg (No. 1), 96.9 DRtg (No. 1), 10.4 NetRtg (No. 1)
Though he's gotten plenty of help from veteran assistants Ron Adams and Alvin Gentry, Steve Kerr hasn't done anything wrong during his first head coaching stint. Though this month hasn't quite lived up to that 13-2 November, his Golden State Warriors are 9-3 so far and remain atop an unbelievably competitive Western Conference.
In a young season where several teams have been very good, Kerr's club has been dominant. But that hasn't changed his characteristic modesty.
After a very impressive 16-2 start to the season (that would extend to 21-2), Kerr told USA Today's Sam Amick earlier this month that the club's success was primarily the product of "Really...talented...players."
"Really, that's what it comes down to," he added. "This team was top five in defense last year. Obviously we have a lot of skill on offense, so the focus is to get a little better on offense and maintain on defense. That's what has happened."
Even if Kerr hasn't reinvented the wheel for this organization, you can't argue with the results. Besides the stellar record and team statistics, Golden State's December has also included quality wins against the Bulls, Mavericks and Rockets. One can't help but begin imagining what its April and May might look like.
Despite the Warriors' exceptional start, head coach Terry Stotts' Portland Trail Blazers aren't far behind. They've only suffered three losses in December, and there's plenty to like about what the former Mavericks assistant has done with a franchise that missed the postseason in 2012 and 2013.
But there's even more to like about what Mike Budenholzer's Atlanta Hawks have done this month. They've pulled within striking distance of the East's top-seeded Toronto Raptors, so far boasting a 12-2 record in December. That includes a recent five-game winning streak that included impressive victories against the Bulls, Cavaliers, Rockets, Mavericks and Clippers.
Budenholzer may lack Kerr's name recognition, but the former Spurs assistant is making his mark with a less talented roster. That will make this season's Coach of the Year race closer than it appears at first glance.
Runner-Up: Mike Budenholzer, Atlanta Hawks
Honorable Mention: Terry Stotts, Portland Trail Blazers
Executive of the Year: Donnie Nelson, Dallas Mavericks
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This summer's additions of Chandler Parsons and Tyson Chandler were momentous, but Dallas Mavericks president and general manager Donnie Nelson made things even more interesting with this month's acquisition of four-time All-Star Rajon Rondo from the Boston Celtics via trade.
It's a big-time move by any metric, but it also qualified as something of a bargain. The organization parted ways with Jameer Nelson, Jae Crowder, Brandan Wright, a couple of draft picks and a trade exception worth $12.9 million. That might sound like a lot, but none of it is nearly as valuable as Rondo.
Dallas is still adjusting to its new arsenal of weapons, so an 8-5 December isn't too shabby.
With over a month to go before the trade deadline, a lot can happen around the league, but it's hard to imagine any other successful teams undergoing such a dramatic face-lift. Assuming Nelson's club continues to play according to plan, his first Executive of the Year honors won't be far behind.
Rockets general manager Daryl Morey is the one person who can change that. It didn't seem that way when he allowed Parsons to leave for Dallas as a restricted free agent, nor when the franchise whiffed in its pursuits of Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh. Morey also parted ways with key reserves Omer Asik and Jeremy Lin in order to make room for the big splash that never was, potentially making matters far worse.
His Plan B's, however, have been things of beauty.
Morey replaced Parsons with a solid two-way swingman in Trevor Ariza and snagged Jason Terry from the Sacramento Kings' bargain bin. This month, he signed power forward Josh Smith after he was waived in a surprise move by the Detroit Pistons. Smith struggled in his season-and-change with the Pistons, but he's only 29 and will benefit from a title-chasing change of scenery.
In what's shaping up to be a two-GM race, the Washington Wizards front office deserve credit for what appears to have been a quietly savvy offseason. Out to a 20-8 start this season, the club's 11-3 December has turned heads.
General manager Ernie Grunfeld made a few headlines with this summer's acquisitions of free agents Paul Pierce and Kris Humphries, but don't forget he also retained center Marcin Gortat on a five-year, $60 million contract.
Runner-Up: Daryl Morey, Houston Rockets
Honorable Mention: Ernie Grunfeld, Washington Wizards
MVP: James Harden, Houston Rockets
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December Per-Game Averages: 30.2 points, 6.3 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.9 steals, 1.0 blocks
If the rest of James Harden's season looks anything like his December, this whole MVP thing won't be much of a contest. He's been phenomenal, and so have his Houston Rockets. They're 8-3 so far this month and 21-7 for the season, contender-like results that owe much to the club's bearded leader.
Some will naturally point to Anthony Davis' obscenely high 32.57 player efficiency rating and end the conversation there, but that's not reasonable. Ridiculous as his numbers have been, Davis' New Orleans Pelicans are just 15-15 this season and will have a difficult time squeezing the Suns or Thunder from the playoff race. To many, that makes the 21-year-old's MVP candidacy a nonstarter.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the only player to win the award on a team that failed to qualify for the postseason (in 1976), but that was a season in which he led the league in blocks and rebounding while scoring 27.7 points per game. He also happened to be playing for a marquee franchise in the Lakers, an attention magnet even when the going gets tough.
Davis will have his opportunities to snag the award, but only when New Orleans takes another substantial step toward championship contention. Additionally, Harden has an edge according to some metrics. Houston has outscored opponents by 8.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor this season, a dramatically better net rating than Davis' 1.9 mark.
Some of that can be attributed to disparities in surrounding talent, but Harden is impacting games in ways that don't show up in direct statistical evidence. His ability to space the floor and break down perimeter defenses off the dribble can have all kinds of ripple effects. Even when he doesn't pick up the assist, he's still making it easier for his teammates to score.
His defensive renewal has something to do with it as well. After all, the Rockets are allowing opponents only 97.8 points per 100 possessions this season, making them the league's second-most efficient defense, according to Hollinger Team Stats.
Though ESPN Insider's Amin Elhassan (subscription required) refused to label Harden a legitimate two-way player earlier this month, he did concede that "Harden's effort level has improved for sure; he's exerting more effort, he's following plays more often and he can string together several possessions in a row without massive defensive breaches."
Paired with the consistently gaudy offensive numbers, that is enough.
Beyond the numbers and metrics, there's much to be said for his ability to flat-out take games over. The 25-year-old has tallied at least 41 points three times this month, including a Dec. 22 effort in which he posted 44 points, seven assists and five steals in just 32 minutes during a 110-95 win against the same Trail Blazers who ousted Houston from the playoffs a season ago.
Put simply, this is what very valuable players do.
Amid a campaign in which reigning MVP Kevin Durant has battled repeated injuries, voters may have little choice but to give Harden the nod—so long as four-time MVP LeBron James doesn't have something to say about it.
Yes, his numbers are down slightly this season, but his 26.2 points and 8.2 assists per contest both represent improvements over his November line, and it's not as though the defense has gone anywhere. Add the locker room leadership and a decorated career's worth of intangibles, and it's too soon to rank him behind the admittedly qualified likes of Stephen Curry, Marc Gasol, Blake Griffin or Damian Lillard.
Remember, LBJ's working with a new head coach (David Blatt) and a roster that's still finding itself. The Cleveland Cavaliers will keep getting better, and so will he.
Runner-Up: LeBron James
Honorable Mention: Anthony Davis
