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NBA: Predicting the 2018-19 regular season award winners

By Colin Cann

BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - DECEMBER 4: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks looks on during the second half against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on December 4, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics defeat the Bucks 111-100. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 05: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass guarded by Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – OCTOBER 05: Deandre Ayton #22 of the Phoenix Suns looks to pass guarded by Jusuf Nurkic #27 of the Portland Trail Blazers during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Talking Stick Resort Arena on October 5, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Winner: Deandre Ayton, Phoenix Suns

In a league that is going increasingly smaller, 7-foot-1 250lb first overall pick Deandre Ayton is looking to capitalize. In his one season with Arizona, the young big man put up impressive numbers, finishing with a 20.1/11.6/1.6/1.9/0.6 stat line on a ridiculous 61% shooting including 34% from three. He followed up his college performance with a stellar preseason putting up 18.2/9.8/1.4/2.0/0.8 while once again shooting over 61% from the floor in under 27 minutes per game.

Preseason is not a perfect indicator of what’s to come in the regular season, but it’s the best indicator we have. It would appear that Ayton’s game should have no problem transitioning to the NBA. He is just too big, strong and skilled for it to not happen on the offensive end of the court.

Defense may be an issue for the 20-year-old, but having defensive specialist(and fellow 7’1 center) Tyson Chandler around to pick his brain can only help speed up DeAndre’s development. Aside from the owner of the only 70 point game since Kobe Bryant dropped 81, Devin Booker, Ayton should cede touches to nobody.

He could easily surpass 18 points and 10 rebounds which should be enough to bring home the award. His efficiency may drop with a larger workload and longer season but that shouldn’t affect his case for ROY.

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