That’s right, people, the NBA season is here. To celebrate, the Cedar Post had two of The Association’s biggest fans at the high school — CP staffer Bruin Jones and boys basketball coach Kent Leiss — make their awards picks for this season.

We will be doing a monthly check up to see who is closer to what the actual standings may be, so stay tuned, because the winner will get to smash a pie in the loser’s face, and extraordinary bragging rights.

Coach Leiss’ picks

MVP: Stephen Curry

In my humble opinion, nobody works harder on his game in the offseason than Curry.  Each summer he gets better at everything.  So far he has 2 mvp’s.  It took a full season for him to adapt to playing with Durant.  This year he will be better than ever if he stays healthy.

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons

He is big and athletic and can handle the ball and play multiple positions.  The NBA game suits him much better than college hoops.  No zones to deal with.  Plus, I don’t think there are too many guys to challenge him for this award.  So far, he is off to a great start.

Most Improved Player: Kristaps Porzingas

I picked him for this award because he is extremely talented and misused in his first 2 years with the Knicks.  Now that Phil Jackson has left and is not insisting on the Knicks running the Triangle Offense, he can flourish in a more suitable pro-style offense that is being implemented by Jeff Hornacek.

Defensive Player of the Year: Patrick Beverly

He is a beast! He plays very good on ball defense and plays with a lot intensity and pride.  If Bruin Jones plays this hard on defense, he will also be a defensive stopper.

Sixth Man of the Year: Marcus Smart

Just a wild guess — not a lot of thought put into this pick.

NBA Champions: Golden State Warriors

Champs! AGAIN! If they stay healthy, they will easily dispose of their western conference opponents.  The Cavs got older! Currently, they cannot guard their Moms’ in a phone booth or anybody else.  They got older, not better. Now that Durant is used to his new team the rest of the league has no chance.  They might beat the Sad Sac Kings by 100 this year.

Bruin’s picks

MVP: Giannis Antetokounmpo

He’s only 22 years old, 6’11” And in the first 5 games he’s averaged 30 points, 10 boards, 6 assists. And 1 steal. Those are monster numbers. There isn’t one thing Antetokounmpo doesn’t do for his team.

Rookie of the Year: Ben Simmons

Simmons will be the rookie of the year because this is his second year being around the NBA, so he’s passed the nervous part. (Due to a broken foot last year, he hasn’t technically played in an NBA game, so he is considered a rookie). Plus, I watched him play in last year’s NBA Summer League, and he made it look like he was in a Sandpoint open gym.

Most Improved Player: Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram has more of a role to play in the Lakers lineup now that D’angelo Russell is gone. Also, with the addition of Lonzo Ball in the draft, Ingram is bound to have at least 15 points a game.

Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert

This is just an obvious pick for me because the only time I ever watched a full Jazz game he had 4 blocks. With his lengthy 8-feet wingspan, not many guards will be able to get an easy bucket on him.

Sixth Man of the Year: Jordan Clarkson

This is a tough one because there are so many good bench players out there, but Clarkson has shown a promising first three games. Averaging 14 points, 2 assists, and two boards. For a starter those are great numbers.

World Champions: Cleveland Cavaliers

Just a fan of the East, and the Warriors are garbage.