In the NBA awards race, Brayden Burries is coming out on top—at least as far as Milwaukee Bucks candidates go. Yes, just like he did in Summer League, it was Burries who hit hardest in this posse cut, blowing away his teammates and coach with his lyrical genius skill and potential, accumulating a dominant 43% of the vote.
Shoutout to the OG, Mitchell Maurer, too, who continues to spit wisdom in the comments—and whose “verse” hit so hard it could’ve been part of X’s (Dark Man’s, not the app) 1998 closer. You sure a comeback isn’t in the cards?
Anyway, results beckon. Let’s take a closer look.
As it turns out, Burries’ victory in this hypothetical battle comes at least in part from the benefits of being a rookie—and therefore being eligible for Rookie of the Year and All-Rookie honours. Hence, instead of competing against the entire league, he’s only competing against his rookie class. And in the case of All-Rookie teams, there are 10 spots up for grabs. This considered, it would actually be disappointing if Burries doesn’t earn recognition:
BenDrankin3000: If we are counting all rookie team then it’s definitely burries. I honestly would be surprised if he doesn’t make all rookie.
Mitchell Maurer: But in terms of actual awards? Give me Burries and a spot on the All-Rookie team. Every season there are some dudes (and some duds) on these lists and it doesn’t take all that much to get there.
In distant second-place came Kel’el Ware (14% of votes), Milwaukee’s centre of the future—and hopefully the present—who fans see as a chance at MIP:
naveed2000s: Ware for most improved. There’s a real possibility he averages near 20. I don’t think he’ll win it, but he could be second in voting.
Mitchell Maurer: The Ware case for MIP is actually more exciting, because that would prove that he’s a starting-caliber NBA big and solidify his place as a franchise cornerstone going forward.
Tied with Ware was head coach Taylor Jenkins (14% of votes). But despite finishing so high in this poll, Jenkins’ chances of winning Coach of the Year seem pretty slim, a sentiment reiterated by sheltD:
sheltD: Jenkins, coach of the year, only if we’re top 3 in the east, very unlikely.
Nipping at Ware’s and Jenkins’ heels was Ryan Rollins (12% of votes). His case for hardware is more nuanced, but if it plays out it might just be the right combination of iron and nitrogen to make Milwaukee’s lawn more attractive than its distant southeast neighbour’s:
Mitchell Maurer: The Rollins case for MIP makes sense, since he already made a huge jump; a slight increase now coupled with actual recognition vs. the “who?!” of last season might be enough to sway voters. There’s even a chance that Rollins plays well enough (even if the team somehow exceeds expectations and is decent) that it fuels “did Giannis make a mistake by forcing a trade to the Heat?!” takes from our good friends at the Worldwide Leader of Sports.
Outside of these nominees, participants weren’t so sure, voting for a range of others—both listed and not:
Thirty Point Buck: Let Porter cook off the bench, he stays healthy, boom, 6th man
sheltD: I’d say JJJ, 6th man of the year award.
In all, the community has spoken: Burries is for real, he ain’t playing, and this ain’t no game. Now let’s see if he comes through on our promise.
Get it.
