A Complete Guide to the 2016-17 NBA Awards Winners and Finalists
I still remember the excitement building up as the 2016-17 NBA season unfolded—it felt like we were witnessing something truly special. Having followed basketball for over fifteen years, both as a fan and an analyst, I can confidently say this particular awards race had some of the most memorable narratives in recent memory. The MVP debate alone kept sports forums buzzing for months, with Russell Westbrook's historic triple-double season challenging our very definition of individual excellence. What made this season particularly fascinating was how international fan bases influenced the conversation around certain players, reminding me that basketball's appeal truly spans continents. I'll never forget watching highlights from Manila where Filipino fans created an electric atmosphere, though as we saw in other sports contexts, passionate support doesn't always translate to victories—much like how Japan's volleyball team faced surprising sweeps despite their massive Filipino following.
The Most Valuable Player race dominated discussions from October through April, creating one of the most heated debates I've witnessed in my career. Russell Westbrook averaged 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists—becoming only the second player in NBA history to average a triple-double for an entire season, joining the legendary Oscar Robertson. His 42 triple-doubles broke Robertson's single-season record, and that 50-point triple-double game against Denver where he hit the game-winning three remains etched in my memory. James Harden posted equally monstrous numbers—29.1 points, 8.1 rebounds, and a league-leading 11.2 assists—making the Rockets' offense virtually unstoppable. Kawhi Leonard finished third, though personally I believed his two-way impact deserved more recognition than it received. The voting wasn't even close in the end, with Westbrook capturing 69 first-place votes to Harden's 22, a result that still sparks friendly arguments among my colleagues.
While the MVP race grabbed headlines, the defensive awards showcased some truly special talents. Draymond Green rightfully took home Defensive Player of the Year, anchoring the Warriors' switch-heavy scheme with his incredible versatility. I've always admired how he defends all five positions effectively—something very few players in league history can claim. Rudy Gobert finished second, and his 2.6 blocks per game made the Jazz defense terrifying for any opponent driving to the basket. Kawhi Leonard placed third, though having watched him dismantle offenses with his "claw" defense all season, I thought he had a legitimate case for winning his third straight award. The All-Defensive First Team selections reflected this hierarchy, with Chris Paul and Danny Green joining Leonard, Green, and Gobert.
The rookie class brought its own excitement, with Malcolm Brogdon surprisingly beating out Dario Saric and Joel Embiid for Rookie of the Year. Honestly, I thought Embiid would have won if he'd played more than 31 games—his 20.2 points and 7.8 rebounds in just 25 minutes per game were absolutely sensational. Brogdon became the first second-round pick to win the award since 1965, averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 assists while showing the poise of a veteran. Saric put up solid numbers too—12.8 points and 6.3 rebounds—making the Sixers' future look incredibly bright. The All-Rookie teams reflected the depth of this class, with Buddy Hield, Jamal Murray, and Willy Hernangomez making the Second Team alongside Jaylen Brown and Marquese Chriss.
Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards highlighted players who transformed their teams' fortunes. Eric Gordon deservedly won Sixth Man, providing explosive scoring off Houston's bench with 16.2 points per game while launching threes at a historic rate. Andre Iguodala finished second, bringing his playoff experience and defensive versatility to the Warriors' second unit. Personally, I've always valued Iguodala's impact beyond statistics—his leadership during crucial moments often goes unnoticed by casual fans. The Most Improved Player race went to Giannis Antetokounmpo, who exploded into superstardom with 22.9 points, 8.8 rebounds, and 5.4 assists while leading the Bucks in every major statistical category. Rudy Gobert placed second, and Nikola Jokic third—though I'd argue Jokic's transformation into Denver's offensive centerpiece was equally impressive.
Coach of the Year typically goes to whoever exceeds expectations most dramatically, and Mike D'Antoni's work with Houston made him the clear choice. He transformed the Rockets into an offensive juggernaut, increasing their win total by 14 games from the previous season. Gregg Popovich finished second, continuing his incredible run of consistency with the Spurs, while Erik Spoelstra placed third for his work maximizing Miami's talent. Having studied coaching philosophies for years, I particularly admired how D'Antoni adapted his "seven seconds or less" approach to feature Harden as a point guard—it revolutionized how teams view offensive spacing.
The executive awards often fly under the radar, but Bob Myers' work in assembling the Warriors' superteam rightfully earned him Executive of the Year. Bringing Kevin Durant to Golden State created the most talented roster I've seen in my two decades covering the league. Daryl Morey finished second for his shrewd acquisitions of Eric Gordon and Ryan Anderson, while Dennis Lindsey placed third for building Utah's surprising 51-win team.
Reflecting on that awards season several years later, what stands out isn't just the individual achievements but how they shaped team successes and failures. The international fan engagement we saw—similar to the passionate Filipino support for various sports—reminds us that basketball's growth continues globally. While awards celebrate individual excellence, they ultimately exist within the context of team achievements and fan experiences that make sports so compelling. That 2016-17 season delivered memorable moments that we'll likely reference for years to come, from Westbrook's historic numbers to the emergence of new superstars who would dominate the league in subsequent seasons.