The NBA Awards ceremony is always a highly anticipated event, as fans and players alike tune in to see who will be crowned as the league’s most valuable players, outstanding rookies, and top defenders. However, with every award season comes a fair share of surprises and snubs that leave the basketball community buzzing with controversy and debate. Let’s dive into some of the most shocking award results in recent NBA history.
One of the most unforgettable surprises in NBA award history came in 2016 when the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry became the first-ever unanimous MVP recipient. Curry had a historic season, breaking his own record for three-pointers made in a single campaign and leading the Warriors to a historic 73-win season. However, many fans and pundits were stunned that there wasn’t a single vote for other worthy candidates such as LeBron James or Kawhi Leonard. This unexpected result sparked heated discussions and led to questions about the validity and fairness of the voting system.
Another surprising award result occurred in 2011 when Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls won the MVP over LeBron James, who was widely considered the league’s most dominant player at that time. While Rose undoubtedly had a fantastic season, leading the Bulls to the best record in the league, many argued that James was the more deserving candidate. The snub left fans bewildered and fueled the ongoing debate about whether the award should go to the best player or the player who had the most significant impact on his team’s success.
In 2018, James Harden of the Houston Rockets won the MVP award over the then two-time reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook. While Harden had an exceptional season, leading the league in scoring and guiding the Rockets to the best record in the NBA, Westbrook’s season shouldn’t have been overlooked. Westbrook became only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, a truly mind-boggling achievement. This snub ignited a division among fans who believed that triple-double dominance was worthy of back-to-back MVPs.
The Rookie of the Year award also hasn’t escaped controversy. In 2017, Malcolm Brogdon won the prestigious title over Philadelphia 76ers’ dynamic duo Joel Embiid and Dario Saric. While Brogdon had an efficient season with the Milwaukee Bucks, many believed that his numbers paled in comparison to the extraordinary impact Embiid and Saric had on their team’s success. Embiid, in particular, showcased his considerable skills both offensively and defensively, quickly becoming a fan favorite and one of the league’s rising stars. The snub was met with disappointment by many basketball enthusiasts, who felt that Embiid was the standout candidate.
The NBA’s defensive awards have also produced some surprising results. In 2013, Marc Gasol won the Defensive Player of the Year award over LeBron James, who was widely recognized as an exceptional defender throughout the season. Gasol’s defensive prowess was unquestionable, but the result still raised eyebrows due to James’ reputation as a versatile player who could guard multiple positions effectively. This unexpected outcome led to renewed discussions about the criteria used in determining the league’s premier defenders.
Surprises and snubs have become an inevitable part of the NBA Awards, and while some decisions excite fans, others leave them scratching their heads. Nevertheless, these surprising results keep the basketball community engaged and fuel passionate debates, making the award season even more exciting. Ultimately, it’s crucial to remember that these awards are subjective and based on different interpretations of the game. As long as fans have differing opinions, surprises and snubs will continue to make headlines during the NBA’s annual award show.