The 2014-15 season has drawn to a close and now it’s time to reflect. As we all get excited and prepared for the 2015 NBA Playoffs, we also want to take the time and recognize the best of the best from this season. Although we might not have an official vote for any of these awards, we still have to put our picks in here somewhere.
So check out the 2015 NBA Awards and let us know what you think!
We’ve gone over the Coach of the Year, the Most Improved Player, 6th man of the year and Defensive Player of the Year awards and now we go over the Rookie of the Year award.
Nominees:
Andrew Wiggins, Minnesota Timberwolves
Nerlens Noel, Philadelphia 76ers
Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic
Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls
Cameron
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
The #1 pick of the 2014 NBA Draft averaged the most point out of all rookies this season, won rookie of the month four straight months, was the Rising Stars Challenge MVP, the only rookie to play in and start all 82 games, averaged the most minutes out of all rookie, should I keep going? His shot creation has improved through the year and he’s became a better finisher around the rim with defenses keying in on him considering Wiggins is the Wolves best offensive threat. If his play continues to develop like this Wiggins is destined for NBA stardom.
Martin
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
It was nice to see some others step up in the latter part of the season from the rookie class but Wiggins has been a lock-in. He’s progressed aggressively throughout the season and certainly earned his worth as a no. 1 overall pick. He increased his point average every month from October through January, and probably wrapped up the discussion for the award by averaging over 20 points and grabbing six rebounds in the seven games he’s played in April.
Max
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
What can be said about this kid. In his first pro season, Andrew Wiggins has showed us just why he was the first overall pick. When Jabari Parker went down with a knee injury this season, Wiggins turned to the frontrunner for this award. Now, I think he will win it. He has had a fantastic rookie year, averaging 16.8 PPG and 4.5 RPG. The long SF has had a magnificent rookie season, and deserves to win the Rookie of the Year award for this season.
Kyle
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
A draft class that was hyped up turned out to be pretty disappointing. Wiggins has shown flashes of his potential this season, averaging just under 17 points a game and 4.5 rebounds. His shooting this season is a lot better than last year when he was a freshmen at Kansas, as shoots 45% from the field, 32% from three point range, and 76% from the free throw line. You would like to see the assist number rise as he only averages about two a game, but overall, Andrew Wiggins has been the best rookie in the NBA this season. It also helps that he doesn’t have much competition.
Es
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
This kid is the next NBA superstar. He has so much potential. He leads all rookies in PPG, and although he’s on a veteran lacking team like the Timberwolves, he’s shown signs of leadership. He has the athleticism, soft touch, and shot to become the next big player in the NBA. He won western conference rookie of the month 4 times, and a couple times consecutively (which not a lot of people have done).
Rob
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
It’s simple. He’s played every single game, he’s played the most minutes of any rookie, scored the most points of any rookie so the award has been his to lose. Since Jabari Parker went down, all eyes have been on Wiggins and rightfully so. Sure, Mirotic, Noel and Payton came on late but it’s Wiggins all the way.
David
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
Andrew Wiggins has had an excellent start to a promising career. Coming out of Kansas, everyone agreed that he was oozing with potential, but some weren’t sure how well he’d do in his first season. Wiggins has proved the doubters wrong in his rookie campaign. He leads all rookies in points per game and has been fairly efficient despite having to carry his team. He’s already the leader of his team in his first year in the league. Not only does he lead the Timberwolves in total minutes this season, he’s second in the entire league in that category, trailing only MVP candidate James Harden.
Stephen
Winner: Andrew Wiggins
No brainer here. Wiggins got off to a slower start shooting a low percentage from the field (as quite a few rookies do) but we certainly saw flashes of why Minnesota had no problem dealing star Forward Kevin Love to Cleveland for the Wolves to build around. Wiggins averaged 16 points per game and 4 rebounds while shooting 43% from the field which isn’t terrible.
Honorable Mention: Nerlens Noel and Nikola Mitotic if there’s no Wiggins this year I’d say these two make it awfully difficult for anyone to select against either of these guys.
Charlie
Winner: Nerlens Noel
I cannot believe what my colleagues have put. Not the fact that they chose Wiggins, i get that. It’s how everybody is sleeping on my boy NERLENS! This guy came back from an injury that put him out for a year. And he has not looked back. Leading all Rookies in nearly every defensive category. And don’t give me the “He plays for Philadelphia” nonsense. Have you seen the T’Wolves lately? Exactly. He’s a defensive beast that will be average 10-10 in no time. You all keep sleeping on him. I dare you.
