Kevin Durant tops LeBron James for MVP in NBA Radio’s award predictions

If our SiriusXM NBA Radio hosts are right, Kevin Durant’s dominance during last season’s NBA Finals will carry over into the new year and earn him his second career MVP honors.

That’s just one of the bold claims we’re making ahead of the Oct. 18 season opener (looking at you, 25 percent of voters who think the Celtics are heading to the Finals). So, without further delay, here are NBA Radio’s 2017-2018 award predictions and superlatives.

Most Valuable Player
35% – Kevin Durant
30% – LeBron James
20% – Kawhi Leonard

Rookie of the Year
40% – Lonzo Ball
35% – Dennis Smith Jr.
15% – Ben Simmons

Coach of the Year
30% – Brad Stevens
25% – Tom Thibodeau
10% – Jason Kidd

Defensive Player of the Year
30% – Kawhi Leonard
20% – Draymond Green
20% – Rudy Gobert

6th Man of the Year
20% – Jamal Crawford
10% – Dario Saric
10% – Lou Williams

Most Improved Player of the Year
16% – Joel Embiid
16% – Brandon Ingram

NBA Finals
65% – Golden State Warriors vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
25% – Golden State Warriors vs. Boston Celtics

NBA Champion
90% – Golden State Warriors

NBA Finals MVP
45% – Steph Curry
40% – Kevin Durant
10% – LeBron James

Will anyone average a Triple Double?
90% – No

Best Defender in the NBA
50% – Draymond Green
45% – Kawhi Leonard

Best Shooter in the NBA
95% – Steph Curry

Best Scorer in the NBA
55% – Kevin Durant
20% – James Harden
15% – Russell Westbrook

Best Passer in the NBA
47% – LeBron James
21% – Chris Paul
16% – Ricky Rubio

Best Teammate in the NBA
16% – Steph Curry
16% – Kevin Durant
16% – Klay Thompson

Best Coach in the NBA
78% – Gregg Popovich
10% – Brad Stevens

Best Executive in the NBA
63% – Bob Myers
10% – Danny Ainge