Cavaliers miss out on NBA Awards

The Cleveland Cavaliers took a massive step forward last season in their ascension from the basement of the Eastern Conference, but did not result in any awards for members of the organization. Award winner after award winner was announced without any Cavs taking home the respective honor.

Up for Most Improved Player, Darius Garland finished in third behind winner Ja Morant and second place Dejounte Murray. Garland’s rise in the wake of multiple teammates suffering season-ending injuries propelled the Cavs to postseason play without LeBron James for the first time in a quarter century.

In a very controversial decision Evan Mobley finished in second place for Rookie of the Year with Toronto’s Scottie Barnes being named the winner. The 15 vote differential is the smallest ever in the system of voting.

The comeback season of Kevin Love got a lot of appreciation league wide, but not enough to win Sixth Man of the Year. Tyler Herro of the Heat won by nearly 270 votes taking 96 of 100 first place votes (Love finished with three first place votes).

Koby Altman was up for Executive of the Year, but fell short to another individual from Memphis, Zach Kleiman. Altman finished with two first place votes, five second place votes, and two third place votes for 27 points total while Kleiman had 85.

If the Cavaliers are the type of team that thrives on being overlooked then this could be some motivation for next season. This young Cavs team could make sure that next time that the end of season NBA awards are being announced that they get the call.