The first-ever NBA Awards aired on TNT last night (June 27). The live broadcast from Basketball City in New York featured season-ending awards plus six new categories, which were decided on through fan voting. Highlights of the night also included a performance by Nicki Minaj (featuring 2 Chainz) and Toronto-rapper and avid NBA fan, Drake, served as host. Below is a complete list of winners: Kia NBA Most Valuable Player [WINNER] Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder James Harden, Houston Rockets Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year [WINNER] Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs Kia Most Improved Player [WINNER] Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks Rudy Gobert, Utah Jazz Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets Kia NBA Sixth Man Award [WINNER] Eric Gordon, Houston Rockets Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors Lou Williams, Houston Rockets Kia NBA Rookie of the Year [WINNER] Malcolm Brogdon, Milwaukee Bucks Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers Dario Saric, Philadelphia 76ers NBA Coach of the Year [WINNER] Mike D’Antoni, Houston Rockets Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat NBA Basketball Executive of the Year [WINNER] Bob Myers, Golden State Warriors NBA Sportsmanship Award [WINNER] Kemba Walker, Charlotte Hornets NBA Cares Community Assist Award [WINNER] Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics Sager Strong Award [WINNER] Monty Williams, San Antonio Spurs #BestPlayoffMoment [WINNER] Golden State’s Kevin Durant hits pull-up 3-pointer late in Game 3 of The Finals Boston’s Isaiah Thomas scores career-high 53 points amidst personal tragedy Washington’s John Wall with game-winning shot in East semifinals #PerformanceOfTheYear [WINNER] Golden State’s Klay Thompson scores 60 in three quarters vs. Indiana Phoenix’s Devin Booker 70-point game vs. Boston Houston’s James Harden nets 53-16-17 triple double vs. New York Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook with most points in a triple double, 57-13-11, vs. Orlando #GameWinnerOfTheYear [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook vs. Denver Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving vs. Golden State Phoenix’s Tyler Ulis vs. Boston Hustle Award [WINNER] Patrick Beverley, Houston Rockets #DunkOfTheYear [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Victor Oladipo vs. Atlanta Los Angeles Lakers’ Larry Nance, Jr. vs. Brooklyn Minnesota’s Zach LaVine vs. Phoenix #BlockOfTheYear [WINNER] San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard vs. Houston New York’s Kristaps Porzingis vs. Brooklyn Miami’s Hassan Whiteside vs. Toronto #AssistOfTheYear [WINNER] Golden State’s Draymond Green to StephenCurry to Kevin Durant Denver’s Nikola Jokic with no-look pass LA Clippers’ Chris Paul with wraparound pass Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award [WINNER] Dirk Nowitzki #BestStyle [WINNER] Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook Cleveland’s Iman Shumpert Chicago’s Dwyane Wade The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Bill Russell. Watch the hilarious video of Bill accepting his award. For more information, visit www.nba.com. Photo credit: NBA
