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DWW Staff Roundtable: 2021 NBA Awards Predictions

By Dylan Jackson

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 14: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks shoots over Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA – APRIL 14: Julius Randle #30 of the New York Knicks shoots over Steven Adams #12 of the New Orleans Pelicans. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

NBA Awards: Most Improved Player

DJ – Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Yeah, there really isn’t any competition for this award. Julius Randle has surpassed every expectation – even in a market as large as New York. No one expected the Knicks to be this good – and certainly not because of the development of Julius Randle. He’s averaging 24/10/6, and that should not be taken lightly.

PL – Julius Randle, New York Knicks

At this point in the season, it seems like the expectation is for Julius Randle to win this award. The Knicks are fourth in the east in part because of how well Randle has been playing this season. Randle has been averaging over 24 points and over 10 rebounds and elevated a team that no one expected to be this good. The Knicks playoff drought will likely come to an end this year and the Knicks have Randle to thank.
PF – Julius Randle, New York Knicks
Normally this award is given to a young player in their third season who finally made the jump from bad youngster to a future star. Well, in his seventh season Julius Randle has made the impossible jump from a good-not-great player to an MVP candidate. Tom Thibodeau pressed all the right buttons as Randle is averaging career highs in scoring (24.1), rebounding (10.4), and assists (5.9) while upping his three-point shooting from a career mark of 29.5 percent to 42 percent this season. Currently, the Knicks own the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference, and if they end up hosting a playoff series at Madison Square Garden, Randle will have cemented himself as a top-five MVP candidate.

BW – Julius Randle, New York Knicks

Randle took the Knicks from 21-45 last season, to 34-28 with ten games to go. Potential for a 20-game increase. A lot of players can increase their stats without it resulting in wins, Randle does both. Plus 4.4 points 2.9 assists and almost one rebound more per game this year. All this while increasing his three-point percentage from 28-percent to 42-percent.

BF – Julius Randle, New York Knicks

This is a no-brainer. Randle has significantly improved on every aspect of his game. He’s gone from a good to elite playmaker at his position, a below-average to knockdown three-point shooter, and perhaps most importantly, become an above-average defender.

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