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2018 NBA mid-season awards: Picking the league’s early standouts

By Jacob Doole

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 29: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics tries to block LeBron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the second half at Quicken Loans Arena on December 29, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cavaliers defeated the Celtics 124-118. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory copyright notice. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 20: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers laughs during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – DECEMBER 20: Lou Williams #23 of the LA Clippers laughs during the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on December 20, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Sixth Man of the Year: Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers

Season stats: 23.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 0.8 steals, 0.2 blocks

This might have been a tougher decision, if most of the main contenders hadn’t been promoted to starting roles. Tyreke Evans and Eric Gordon have been outstanding and began the season coming off the bench, but have started too many games to be seriously considered.

There’s also Gerald Green and Nikola Mirotic, who may be in the conversation at the end of the season but haven’t played enough games yet to warrant a place here.

Really, though, Lou Williams would have been the choice anyway. And as it stands, it’s not even close.

He is a comfortable leader in points per game among all bench players (10 or less starts), and he’s second in assists behind only JJ Barea. Oh yeah, and he scored 50 against the freaking Warriors.

https://twitter.com/BestNBAClips/status/951621724281495552

As the winner of the Western Conference Player of the Week over the New Year, it’s clear that Williams taken his game to a whole new level. If he continues to play like this, there’s a good chance he’ll start too many games to win this award.

But in the mid-season awards, he’s the winner in a landslide.

Runner up: Michael Beasley, New York Knicks

Season stats: 12.4 points, 5.1 rebounds, 1.3 assists, 0.4 steals, 0.5 blocks

I’m not sure if Michael Beasley is the right choice here, but he’s certainly the most fun. And he is having a very productive season for the Knicks.

Beasley had six DNP’s in his first 18 games with New York. Then, he exploded for 30 points against the Rockets, and he hasn’t cooled down since.

He’s averaged 15.8 points per game since then, with 53.5 percent shooting from the field and 44.0 percent shooting from 3. He’s also reclaimed his place as the NBA’s most quotable player.

Just wait until he’s using 11 percent of his brain; he’ll be unstoppable.

Next three: Dwayne Wade, Cleveland Cavaliers; Nikola Mirotic, Chicago Bulls; Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers

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