The Emirates NBA Cup crowned the Milwaukee Bucks as champions after a dominant performance against the Oklahoma City Thunder. As Kevin Pelton of ESPN highlights the superlatives of the tournament, several award winners stood out for their exceptional contributions and moments of triumph—or disappointment.
McCain, Spoelstra, Hawks Headline ESPN’s Award Winners List
MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Giannis Antetokounmpo claimed the MVP title for his commanding presence throughout the knockout stages. He averaged 31.7 points per game, delivering clutch performances in critical moments. For the whole cup, he averaged 30.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 7.7 assists, 1.2 steals and 2.8 blocks on a true shooting of 68.2%.
In the semifinals, Antetokounmpo nearly recorded a triple-double and then achieved one in the final against Oklahoma City. His defensive intensity set the tone for Milwaukee, highlighted by his crucial block on Trae Young in the semifinals. Against the Thunder, he added three blocks and two steals. These efforts solidified his dominance as the undisputed MVP. Often times, Giannis’ achievements go unnoticed because people have gotten used to his ridiculous efficiency. Truthfully, he is a player the NBA has never seen in its history. Hopefully this could give Antetokounmpo’s NBA MVP campaign a boost and add to his MVP wins.
All-NBA Cup Team
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Antetokounmpo’s stellar play left no room for debate. He led the Bucks to an undefeated run and dominated on both ends.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander carried the Thunder with consistent scoring and leadership, helping them reach their first NBA Cup final. He averaged 30.6 points, 5.9 rebounds, 5.9 assists, 2.6 steals and 0.6 blocks on 59.8% true shooting. Ultimately, he was subdued in the final going for just 21 points on 8-for-24 shooting. He should use this disappointing performance to grow in his role as a franchise cornerstone.
Damian Lillard, Milwaukee Bucks
Damian Lillard complemented Antetokounmpo perfectly, averaging 27.3 points and 8.3 assists on 69.1% true shooting in the tournament. He even had a 37-point against the Miami Heat in group play in Giannis’ absence.
Alperen Sengun, Houston Rockets
Alperen Sengun’s standout performance in the quarterfinals against Golden State earned him a spot over his teammates, despite inconsistent efficiency. He averaged 19.2 points, 9.7 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 2.0 steals and 0.8 blocks on 51.9% true shooting in the cup.
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks
Trae Young powered the Hawks semifinal run, leading all players in assists (10.8) and averaging 24.2 points per game.
Coach of the NBA Cup: Doc Rivers, Milwaukee Bucks
Doc Rivers orchestrated Milwaukee’s defensive turnaround, leading them to a flawless NBA Cup campaign. His game plan forced opponents into tough shots, particularly in the final. The Bucks finished as second in the NBA Cup in defensive rating despite being 13th in that category in the regular season.
Biggest Coaching Miscue: Erik Spoelstra, Miami Heat
Erik Spoelstra’s costly timeout error in overtime against the Pistons overshadowed his reputation as one of the NBA’s top coaches. Up two points with under two seconds left, Spoelstra called a timeout Miami didn’t have. This allowed Detroit to win on a technical free throw. The mistake derailed Miami’s NBA Cup campaign early, eliminating their chances of advancing.
Rookie of the NBA Cup: Jared McCain, Philadelphia 76ers
Jared McCain emerged as the tournament’s top rookie with an impressive group stage performance. He averaged 24.8 points and shot 51.4% from beyond the arc. His scoring outpaced all other rookies. McCain’s knee injury prevented him from contributing further, but his group-stage dominance earned him this honor.
Most Improved Team: Atlanta Hawks
The Atlanta Hawks surprised many with their run to the semifinals. They entered the tournament with a 4-7 record but went 4-2 in NBA Cup play. Young’s leadership and strong performances powered their improvement. Atlanta also rebounded from last year’s poor showing, where they finished with the worst point differential among group-stage teams.
Biggest Disappointment: Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cleveland Cavaliers entered as one of the Eastern Conference’s top teams but failed to advance from group play. Losses to Atlanta and Boston sealed their fate. With a golden opportunity to claim a banner, Cleveland’s disappointing 2-2 record left fans wanting more.
Best Game: Golden State 120, Dallas 117
Golden State’s thrilling victory over Dallas on the first night of group play stood out as the tournament’s best game. Klay Thompson returned to face his former team, scoring 22 points, including six 3-pointers. Stephen Curry’s (37 points) late-game heroics, scoring the Warriors’ final 12 points, completed the comeback.
Most Disappointing Injury: Franz Wagner, Orlando Magic
Franz Wagner shined in the group stage, averaging 30.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 6.3 assists and 2.5 steals on 61.7% true shooting. However, Wagner’s oblique tear sidelined him before the quarterfinals. Without Wagner, the Magic fought hard but fell to Milwaukee, ending their NBA Cup hopes.
ESPN Awards Winners List Encapsulates a Thrilling NBA Cup in 2024
The NBA Cup continues to evolve, producing exciting moments and new stars. This year’s winners, from Giannis to McCain, showcased the talent and drama that make the tournament special.
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