Steph Curry, LeBron James big winners of NBPA's Players Voice awards
The NBA Players Union announced the winners of their Players Voice awards on Thursday
To put it mildly, the actual showcase for last year's inaugural NBPA Players Awards did not go well. Star players did not attend and there were plenty of blunders that made the whole night seem strangely unprofessional.
But perhaps learning from their mistakes, the NBPA decided to keep things discreet this year and announced this season's award winners using player-driven videos on Twitter. They also changed the name of the awards from Basketball Players Awards to the Players Voice Awards.
Here are the award winners, which the players themselves voted on:
MVP - Stephen Curry
MVP
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
MVP
MVP
2016 #PlayersVoice Awards Most Valuable Player goes to @StephenCurry30.https://t.co/a9MxBQzTvJ
Despite Curry winning the 2015 MVP, NBA players voted for James Harden as the best player in the league at last year's NBPA awards. But after having yet another remarkable and record-breaking season, the players know that there was no better player in league during the regular season than Curry.
Best Rookie - Karl Anthony Towns
Little time in the league. Huge impact. The #PlayersVoice Award Best Rookie goes to @KarlTowns.https://t.co/pRvhBcICrf
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Towns was head-and-shoulders above the rest of the rookie class so this not a surprising winner. The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie quickly emerged as one of the best young men in the game and averaged a double double of 18.3 points and 10.5 assists in 32 minuites a game. Towns easily won the Rookie of the Year award and he likely won this award with the same amount of ease.
Comeback Player of the Year - Paul George
Hard work and heart. Comeback Player of the Year goes to @YG_Trece. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/wPkgLvtuI5
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Although George played for a few games two years ago, last season was his full year back after breaking his leg in a horrific incident during a Team USA exhibition in the summer of 2014. And what a full year back it was for George. He was an All-Star for the third time in his career and was selected for the All-NBA Third team. George also led the Pacers back to the playoffs and gave the Raptors all they could handle in a lengthy first round series before losing in Game 7.
Best off the Bench - Jamal Crawford
Bench to . The Best Off the Bench goes to @JCrossover. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/busb8X5ks1
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Crawford won the Sixth Man of the Year award for the third time in his career this year, so this is another unsurprising pick by the NBPA. Plus, basically every single player in the league loves Crawford and his popularity likely helped him win this award. But he is well deserving of it, as he averaged 14.2 points on 40 percent shooting in 26.9 minutes a game for the Clippers.
Best Defender - Kawhi Leonard
Nothing easy. Best Defender goes to @KawhiLeonard. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/2arIdS9e9y
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Leonard, the 2016 Defensive Player of the Year, picks up another defensive award with the Players Voice Best Defender award. The San Antonio Spurs All-Star forward is an absolute beast on defense, capable of locking down some of the league's best scorers and just straight up making life more difficult for opponents with his speed and massive hands. Just listen to the video from the players above, their compliments about Leonard tell the true story and shows why he won this award.
Toughest to guard - Stephen Curry
Buckets from everywhere/anywhere. Toughest to Guard goes to @StephenCurry30. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/ImUyd7PYZD
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
This award was made for Curry, as he can shoot from close to halfcourt with relative ease and his lightning quick crossover allows him to cause chaos on the court. When he gets going, Curry is virtually unguardable as the rest of his fellow NBA brethren can attest to.
The Player You Wish Was Secretly On Your Team - LeBron James
Teammate wish list is a thing. The Player You Secretly Wish Was On Your Team goes to @KingJames. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/tdCJXuvL3l
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Players don't usually openly talk about the greatness of James like they do with Kobe Bryant so this is an interesting selection. However, what player wouldn't want to play with LeBron, who is no doubt one of the best players in the league?
Best Dressed - Russell Westbrook
Fashion WAY forward 👔. Best Dressed goes to @russwest44. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/IQsOqXSrIj
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
His outfits may often be outlandish, yet it looks like the players actually admire Westbrook's flamboyant fair for fashion. This may be the one Players Voice award with the most bragging rights, so it seems appropriate that Westbrook of all people is the winner.
Best Homecourt Advantage - Golden State Warriors
On whole other level. Best Home Court Advantage goes to @warriors. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/Vxey8qw73N
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Affectionately known as the Roarcle, Oracle Arena is one of the loudest arenas in the league and the Warriors feed off their fans' energy. The Warriors also only lost twice during the regular season and just three times in the playoffs at Oracle. That's a serious homecourt advantage.
Coach You'd Most Like to Play For: Gregg Popovich
The players' coach. Coach You'd Most Like to Play For goes to Gregg Popovich. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/ACUG4hlrDa
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Everybody loves Pop. Even opposing players.
Clutch Performer - Stephen Curry
The clutchest of the clutch. The Clutch Performer goes to @StephenCurry30#PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/45FNCKFcB5
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Curry hit one of the most insane game winners of all-time and rose to the occasion, basically every time the Warriors needed him to. Yet another unsurprising award winner by the NBPA.
Best Social Media Follow - LeBron James
Your favorite players' favorite follow. Best Social Media Follow goes to @KingJames. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/I7nGaXmkHC
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Wait, James shuts down all social media use during the playoffs yet he still won this award? Sounds like other players just want that coveted King James follow.
Most Influential Veteran - Tim Duncan
The legacy he will leave on the game is immeasurable. Most Influential Veteran goes to Tim Duncan. #PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/7E9mWNVQVS
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Tim Duncan quietly retired from the NBA after 19 seasons, yet the legacy he is leaving behind will never be forgotten by fans and as this award shows, by other players. There are so many stories of Duncan giving advice to teammates and non-teammates and clearly everyone is appreciative of everything he has contributed to the league.
Global Impact Player - Kobe Bryant
Internationally Known. Global Impact Player goes to @KobeBryant#PlayersVoicehttps://t.co/21WG9DH5WS
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
This is an interesting selection as you would think an international player would get the nod here. Yet Bryant is an international superstar and his popularity has helped spread the game across the globe.
Best Teammate (one per team)
East:
Check out the Eastern Conference #PlayersVoice Award winners for Best Teammate pic.twitter.com/zOywj3ycXq
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
West:
Check out the Western Conference #PlayersVoice Award winners for Best Teammate pic.twitter.com/fOlzy2XhBo
— NBPA (@TheNBPA) August 4, 2016
Not too many surprises here as this list is made up of very high character players. Plus, players like playing with veterans.
















