Warriors dominate NBA quarter season awards

AFTER ranking the top candidates for the NBA’s end of season awards, we were shocked at where Stephen Curry’s name popped up.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry reacts to an official's call as his team plays the Charlotte Hornets in the first half of an NBA basketball game Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2015, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

WE are officially one-fourth of the way through the 2015-16 season, if you can believe that. And the Golden State Warriors still haven’t lost a game.

Unsurprisingly, they’re way out in front in the race for most of the NBA’s major awards, according to our NBA crew.

We ranked the top five candidates for Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year and MVP — and even we were shocked where Stephen Curry’s name popped up.

SIXTH MAN OF THE YEAR — ANDRE IGUODALA (GOLDEN STATE)

Part of what makes the Warriors such a dominant team is their bench. When the starters sit, Golden State brings in a capable group of reserves, and Iguodala leads the way.

He keeps the offence humming if he’s playing alongside his fellow second-stringers, and he seamlessly fits with the starters when the Warriors go to small-ball.

Golden State’s championship success owes a debt to Iguodala’s willingness to become the ultimate sixth man.

Runner-up: Alec Burks (Utah)

Honourable mentions: Dwight Powell (Dallas), Will Barton (Denver), Manu Ginobili (San Antonio)

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER — STEPHEN CURRY (GOLDEN STATE)

That’s not a typo. No MVP has ever won the Most Improved Player award. It’s kind of an absurd notion, when you think about it.

How does the league’s best player make the biggest improvement? But as great as the reigning MVP was a season ago, he’s averaging almost nine points more per game this season.

He’s doing so at a historic level of efficiency, and he’s on pace to break his own record for made threes by more than 100.

Curry has mastered the art of NBA shooting from places no one has ever regularly attempted shots before.

Runner-up: Andre Drummond (Detroit)

Honourable mentions: CJ McCollum (Portland), Avery Bradley (Boston), Dwight Powell (Dallas)

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR — KAWHI LEONARD (SAN ANTONIO)

San Antonio’s offence this season is rounding into form nicely. But the Spurs are readying for a potential playoff series against the Warriors by doubling down on their defensive efforts.

And while rim protection is all the rage, San Antonio’s ability to shut down opponents starts with Leonard.

He’s the best on-ball defender in the game. He reads passing lanes like they’re Dr Seuss books. And he’s up to the task of guarding anyone opponents throw at him.

Runner-up: Draymond Green (Golden State)

Honourable mentions: Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Rudy Gobert (Utah), Hassan Whiteside (Miami).

Kawhi Leonard is the leader of the NBA’s best defence.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR — KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS (MINNESOTA)

Towns and New York Knicks rookie Kristaps Porzingis are putting up remarkably similar numbers this season, but Towns gets the nod here for the surprising versatility in his game.

He’s demonstrated deeper range with every passing week, nailing threes of late, and his defence is years ahead of the typical rookie big man.

Runner-up: Kristaps Porzingis (New York)

Honourable mentions: Jahlil Okafor (Philadelphia), Justise Winslow (Miami), Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (Brooklyn)

COACH OF THE YEAR — LUKE WALTON (GOLDEN STATE)

At some point, we’re still expecting Steve Kerr to come back to the Golden State bench. And assuming Kerr returns by about the All-Star break, he could very well get the award-based credit for the Warriors’ success this season.

For now though, the technically 0-0 Walton is making all the right decisions and leading Golden State with his own brand of cool and calm.

The Warriors should make the most of Walton before he ends up as head coach somewhere else.

Runner-up: Frank Vogel (Indiana)

Honourable mentions: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio), Brad Stevens (Boston), Rick Carlisle (Dallas).

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER — STEPHEN CURRY (GOLDEN STATE)

There’s zero question about it: This is Curry’s award. Paul George has been great — MVP-level in any other season. But the reigning MVP is on another planet.

We’d be wasting your time to discuss this any further.

Runner-up: Paul George (Indiana)

Honourable mentions: Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio), LeBron James (Cleveland), Blake Griffin (LA Clippers)

We’ll clap to that.