Season 4 ITP Early Season Award Predictions
Apr 19, 2023 16:45:06 GMT -6
klomper24, redrum741, and 1 more like this
Post by beatonz on Apr 19, 2023 16:45:06 GMT -6
Most Valuable Player
Previous Winners:
Larry Kenon (26.6ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.1spg) - 2002
Larry Kenon (28ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.7spg) - 2001
Julius Erving (27ppg, 8.7rpg,4.8apg) - 2000
1. LaMelo Ball (35.5ppg, 10apg, 1.5spg)
Well we all knew it was coming, but boy did LaMelo blow up this year. After controversially being taken out of the starting lineup last season, the Knicks show they know what they were doing to develop LaMelo in the best way possible.
The Knicks made it known through press conferences that minutes had to be earned and nothing would come easy. This season LaMelo earned his starting PG spot back and hasn't looked back. Developing well this offseason in nearly all facets of the game. But most notably his scoring. Incredible statistical improvements in FG% (.421 to .508) and 3P% (.346 to .457) has made him one of the most efficient scorers in the league.
I LaMelo can keep it up he is the run away MVP this season and I don't think anyone will come close to him in years to come. Look for his name at the top of this list for a long time.
2. Eric Money (29.3ppg, 8.5apg, 2.4spg)
Although always solid throughout his ITP career, Money really showed his offensive prowess in 2002 when he lead the Wizards to the playoffs for the first time. Putting up 24ppg and 7.5apg in 2002 didn't get much respect around the league, getting no hardware in the awards department and snubbed from any all league teams.
Money must have taken this personally, because he has come out flying this season. Improving in almost all statistical categories it has been made clear that Money is the man in DC carrying this team to a hot 12-4 start with no other player on the team surpassing the 18ppg mark. If Money can carry this Wizards team to a top spot in the Eastern Conference he has to be considered for the MVP.
3. Killian Hayes (28.4ppg, 9.9apg,1.9spg)
Killian has gradually improved in each season of his career until blowing up coming into his third season. Killian has always been regarded as a shoot first PG capable of big scoring numbers but lacked the vision and ball handling to excel at the PG position. This changed coming into this season, working hard all offseason on his passing and handling payed dividends putting him in third overall in assists per game this year.
Killian had some injury problems early this season but has not let that effect his game. Killian has a lot of scoring option around him which will likely result in his assist numbers staying high while his scoring will undoubtedly be near the top of the league.
Notable Snubs: George McGinnis, Elvin Hayes, John Drew
Defensive Player of the Year
Previous Winners:
Greg Ostertag (16ppg, 12rpg, 3.8bpg) - 2002
George Johnson (15ppg, 11.7rpg, 0.9spg, 3.7bpg) - 2001
George Johnson (15ppg, 11.6rpg, 0.8spg, 4.1bpg) - 2000
1. Greg Ostertag (18.7ppg, 14rpg, 4.4bpg)
We though Ostertag's 2002 season was impressive... well it's nothing compared to what he is doing now. No one enters the paint looking for easy baskets against the 76ers. They are second in the league in team defense only allowing an impressive 94.8ppg against per game and this is in large part because of one man, Greg Osterag.
He's a complete big man, capable of putting up great offensive numbers but really shines on the defensive end. If Greg won this last year, I don't see how anyone thinks he wont this year.
2. George Johnson (18ppg, 11rpg, 2.8bpg)
An all defensive team first team player every year in the league and a two time defensive player of year award winner, Johnson has a reputation around the league, and that's tough defense.
Johnson started the season off really hot leading the Pacers to an unexpected but incredible start. Since then, Johnson has cooled down and so have the Pacers. Coincidence? Probably not.
The Pacers two headed monster of Johnson and Malone have the team looking pretty one dimensional and rely to heavily on the two. This doesn't take away the fact that if Johnson wasn't on this team, the Pacer's would not be even close to the team they are.
3. George McGinnis (25ppg, 10.5rpg, 3spg)
Typically the defensive player of the year goes to a big man, hence the top two positions on this list, however McGinnis is doing his best to try and move the award to a different position. McGinnis has been making star wings look like mediocre players this season. Putting up a league leading 3 steals per game is very impressive from the SF position.
McGinnis isn't just playing great defense but also actually putting up MVP caliber numbers. He is a lock for an all league and all league defensive teams but can he get himself a couple more awards as well? Likely not, but he is certainly making his case.
Notable Snubs: Kim Hughes, Damon Stoudamire, Artis Gilmore
Rookie of the Year
Previous Winners:
Joel Embiid (16ppg, 10rpg, 1.5bpg) - 2002
Killian Hayes (19ppg, 6apg, 1.1spg) - 2001
Brandon Roy (23ppg, 6rpg, 4.5apg) - 2000
1. Nick Van Exel (15ppg, 7asp, 3.5tpg)
The team is a mess, but they finally have something to be excited about. Van Exel has come onto the scene strong putting up impressive numbers on a terrible Hornets team. #3 overall pick last season Rick Barry and him make quite the duo and should grow into something special together.
Van Exel also being selected at #3 has some people wondering if he should have been the number one pick after Webbers early season struggles.
Turnovers, as with most young players put into heavy minutes with high responsibility for ball handling and scoring, is a problem for Van Exel but he will grow out of this with time.
2. Penny Hardaway (15ppg, 3apg, 3tpg)
The #2 overall pick has come on strong after struggling in the first couple of sims. Penny will get his looks in Chicago with an offence that struggles with no star player capable of putting up greater than 20ppg currently on the roster.
As the season progresses, I can see the Bulls trusting Penny more and more and with that his numbers will improve more than they currently sit.
I strongly feel like Penny could be in the #1 spot on this list by seasons end.
3. Sam Cassell (13ppg, 6.5apg, 2.9tpg)
Maybe a stretch here, but he did just receive the first month's rookie of the month award. Why did he get it? Well I can't honestly tell you. I think the first two options on this list put up more impressive starts but I guess the simulator see's something we don't. I wasn't sure coming into the season in Cassell would see much burn with the Cavs loaded young backcourt but he has earned himself the starting PG role and is getting people in Cleveland excited again.
Notable Snubs: Allan Houston, Jamal Mashburn, Shawn Bradley
What do you think? Who deserves more respect? I know I missed someone.
Also, sorry the numbers are not up to date. Wrote this during the last sim.
Previous Winners:
Larry Kenon (26.6ppg, 10.5rpg, 2.1spg) - 2002
Larry Kenon (28ppg, 10.5rpg, 1.7spg) - 2001
Julius Erving (27ppg, 8.7rpg,4.8apg) - 2000
1. LaMelo Ball (35.5ppg, 10apg, 1.5spg)
Well we all knew it was coming, but boy did LaMelo blow up this year. After controversially being taken out of the starting lineup last season, the Knicks show they know what they were doing to develop LaMelo in the best way possible.
The Knicks made it known through press conferences that minutes had to be earned and nothing would come easy. This season LaMelo earned his starting PG spot back and hasn't looked back. Developing well this offseason in nearly all facets of the game. But most notably his scoring. Incredible statistical improvements in FG% (.421 to .508) and 3P% (.346 to .457) has made him one of the most efficient scorers in the league.
I LaMelo can keep it up he is the run away MVP this season and I don't think anyone will come close to him in years to come. Look for his name at the top of this list for a long time.
2. Eric Money (29.3ppg, 8.5apg, 2.4spg)
Although always solid throughout his ITP career, Money really showed his offensive prowess in 2002 when he lead the Wizards to the playoffs for the first time. Putting up 24ppg and 7.5apg in 2002 didn't get much respect around the league, getting no hardware in the awards department and snubbed from any all league teams.
Money must have taken this personally, because he has come out flying this season. Improving in almost all statistical categories it has been made clear that Money is the man in DC carrying this team to a hot 12-4 start with no other player on the team surpassing the 18ppg mark. If Money can carry this Wizards team to a top spot in the Eastern Conference he has to be considered for the MVP.
3. Killian Hayes (28.4ppg, 9.9apg,1.9spg)
Killian has gradually improved in each season of his career until blowing up coming into his third season. Killian has always been regarded as a shoot first PG capable of big scoring numbers but lacked the vision and ball handling to excel at the PG position. This changed coming into this season, working hard all offseason on his passing and handling payed dividends putting him in third overall in assists per game this year.
Killian had some injury problems early this season but has not let that effect his game. Killian has a lot of scoring option around him which will likely result in his assist numbers staying high while his scoring will undoubtedly be near the top of the league.
Notable Snubs: George McGinnis, Elvin Hayes, John Drew
Defensive Player of the Year
Previous Winners:
Greg Ostertag (16ppg, 12rpg, 3.8bpg) - 2002
George Johnson (15ppg, 11.7rpg, 0.9spg, 3.7bpg) - 2001
George Johnson (15ppg, 11.6rpg, 0.8spg, 4.1bpg) - 2000
1. Greg Ostertag (18.7ppg, 14rpg, 4.4bpg)
We though Ostertag's 2002 season was impressive... well it's nothing compared to what he is doing now. No one enters the paint looking for easy baskets against the 76ers. They are second in the league in team defense only allowing an impressive 94.8ppg against per game and this is in large part because of one man, Greg Osterag.
He's a complete big man, capable of putting up great offensive numbers but really shines on the defensive end. If Greg won this last year, I don't see how anyone thinks he wont this year.
2. George Johnson (18ppg, 11rpg, 2.8bpg)
An all defensive team first team player every year in the league and a two time defensive player of year award winner, Johnson has a reputation around the league, and that's tough defense.
Johnson started the season off really hot leading the Pacers to an unexpected but incredible start. Since then, Johnson has cooled down and so have the Pacers. Coincidence? Probably not.
The Pacers two headed monster of Johnson and Malone have the team looking pretty one dimensional and rely to heavily on the two. This doesn't take away the fact that if Johnson wasn't on this team, the Pacer's would not be even close to the team they are.
3. George McGinnis (25ppg, 10.5rpg, 3spg)
Typically the defensive player of the year goes to a big man, hence the top two positions on this list, however McGinnis is doing his best to try and move the award to a different position. McGinnis has been making star wings look like mediocre players this season. Putting up a league leading 3 steals per game is very impressive from the SF position.
McGinnis isn't just playing great defense but also actually putting up MVP caliber numbers. He is a lock for an all league and all league defensive teams but can he get himself a couple more awards as well? Likely not, but he is certainly making his case.
Notable Snubs: Kim Hughes, Damon Stoudamire, Artis Gilmore
Rookie of the Year
Previous Winners:
Joel Embiid (16ppg, 10rpg, 1.5bpg) - 2002
Killian Hayes (19ppg, 6apg, 1.1spg) - 2001
Brandon Roy (23ppg, 6rpg, 4.5apg) - 2000
1. Nick Van Exel (15ppg, 7asp, 3.5tpg)
The team is a mess, but they finally have something to be excited about. Van Exel has come onto the scene strong putting up impressive numbers on a terrible Hornets team. #3 overall pick last season Rick Barry and him make quite the duo and should grow into something special together.
Van Exel also being selected at #3 has some people wondering if he should have been the number one pick after Webbers early season struggles.
Turnovers, as with most young players put into heavy minutes with high responsibility for ball handling and scoring, is a problem for Van Exel but he will grow out of this with time.
2. Penny Hardaway (15ppg, 3apg, 3tpg)
The #2 overall pick has come on strong after struggling in the first couple of sims. Penny will get his looks in Chicago with an offence that struggles with no star player capable of putting up greater than 20ppg currently on the roster.
As the season progresses, I can see the Bulls trusting Penny more and more and with that his numbers will improve more than they currently sit.
I strongly feel like Penny could be in the #1 spot on this list by seasons end.
3. Sam Cassell (13ppg, 6.5apg, 2.9tpg)
Maybe a stretch here, but he did just receive the first month's rookie of the month award. Why did he get it? Well I can't honestly tell you. I think the first two options on this list put up more impressive starts but I guess the simulator see's something we don't. I wasn't sure coming into the season in Cassell would see much burn with the Cavs loaded young backcourt but he has earned himself the starting PG role and is getting people in Cleveland excited again.
Notable Snubs: Allan Houston, Jamal Mashburn, Shawn Bradley
What do you think? Who deserves more respect? I know I missed someone.
Also, sorry the numbers are not up to date. Wrote this during the last sim.