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Utah Jazz: The J-Notes composite ’18-19 NBA Awards predictions

By Jared Woodcox

SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait with the KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year Trophy during the NBA Awards Show on June 25, 2018 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 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: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images)
SANTA MONICA, CA - JUNE 25: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz poses for a portrait with the KIA NBA Defensive Player of the Year Trophy during the NBA Awards Show on June 25, 2018 at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 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: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jennifer Pottheiser/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018 at Bankers Life Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS – SEPTEMBER 24: Myles Turner #33 of the Indiana Pacers poses for a portrait during the Pacers Media Day on September 24, 2018 at Bankers Life Field House in Indianapolis, Indiana. Copyright Notice: 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Most Improved Player

Zack Padmore – Malik Monk (Charlotte)

As a rookie last season, Malik Monk surprisingly didn’t get a whole lot of run during his first year in the league. He only played 13.6 minutes per game, but showed the offensive potential that made him a lottery pick in 2017.

Monk averaged 20.4 points in just 24.8 minutes during the last month of the regular season. It was good experience for him, as the Hornets were out of the playoff race and simply wanted to get him some run to end the season. He’s expected to play a much bigger role in his second season, and I think he will put up a lot of points. The kid has offensive star written all over him.

Hayden Van de Maat – Spencer Dinwiddie (Brooklyn)

(WARNING: I might be the biggest Spencer Dinwiddie stan in the world…) Dinwiddie broke out last season and was the highlight in an otherwise disappointing year for Brooklyn Nets fans. But can Dinwiddie take a greater leap this year and emerge as a star in the NBA? Well, I for one, think he can.

Spencer possesses the physical tools that are just incredibly rare for a player with his skill set. He stands six-foot-seven and plays as a natural point guard. He is one of the best passers in the NBA, he has a tremendous first step, a slew of finishing moves around the basket and could take a big jump in his 3-point percentage this upcoming year. His array of offensive weapons could be enough to leave a defender in the fetal position.

It may be a bold prediction, but I’m anticipating a season from Spencer Dinwiddie similar to that of Victor Oladipo’s breakout year in Indiana.

Josh Padmore – Myles Turner (Indiana)

Myles Turner has worked his tail off during the summer, transforming his body and doing tons of yoga. He’s much better than he showed last season. The Indiana Pacers’ history of Most Improved Players (Jalen Rose, Paul George, Victor Oladipo, Jermaine O’Neal and Danny Granger) also makes this prediction a very confident one.

Ryan Aston – Dante Exum (Utah)

In the words of the immortal Howard Jones, “things can only get better” for Dante Exum. If he can stay on the floor, for a change, he’ll remind the NBA world why he was a top five pick back in 2014.

Jared Woodcox – Myles Turner (Indiana)

I’m really, really tempted to put Dante Exum here. I think he’s absolutely capable of winning the award and doing so should be one of his goals. But instead, I’m going to go with Myles Turner of the Indiana Pacers.

Turner is already a more talented player than he gets credit for and, quite frankly, for him to receive this award, he’s going to need to be utilized better in 2018-19. However, all indications show that he had a phenomenal summer as he’s looked to mimic Victor Oladipo’s workout approach. I expect we’ll see a more physical and energetic Myles Turner this season who becomes a prolific rebounder and a legitimate scoring option.

He’s shown flashes already of both those things and is already an exceptional rim protector. Indiana also has a storied history of players winning this award, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Turner put it all together and take home the hardware this time around.

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