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The NBPA has released its second-annual 'Players Voice Awards'

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The NBPA has released its second-annual 'Players Voice Awards'

Stephen Curry clears some space between him and his contemporaries (Getty Images)
Stephen Curry clears some space between him and his contemporaries (Getty Images)

It wasn’t televised on cable this year, not because nobody, not even us NBA dorks few watched BET’s airing of the first National Basketball Players Association’s Players Voice Awards ceremony last summer, but because many NBA stars were hard to get a hold of in the wake of an postseason that went as long as it could possibly go, an offseason that has seen quite a bit of movement (LeBron James could still sign with the Grizzlies!), and Team USA practice bouts followed by the eventual move to Rio to represent the United States in the Summer Olympics.

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As such, the 2015-16 NBPA Awards were handed out via a series of tweets complete with short videos on the players union’s official Twitter page.

Here, at long last, is your batch of winners:

MVP: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The reaction: It seems like the obvious choice. Curry was the best player on a 73-win team, though not even the acquisition of Kevin Durant can dull the frustrations of Warrior fans who are still wondering what, exactly, could have happened to the team’s title defense had Curry not slipped on that wet spot on the floor on April 24.

Clutch Performer: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The reaction: It feels a little touchy giving this to Curry in wake of the Warriors blowing a 3-1 NBA Finals lead to LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers, and the missed shots and ill-timed passes that marked his team’s final few minutes of the season. Still, is there any way to deny an award to a guy that does stuff like this?

Toughest to Guard: Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors

The reaction: Sure, although it’s important to remember that, unshackled, Metta World Peace can still give you “15 to 20” points per game game. “Easily.”

Best Homecourt Advantage: Golden State Warriors/Oracle Arena

The reaction: This was just about in place when Adam Keefe was starting for the team in 2001. It’s certainly in place now with the Warriors going nearly perfect at home in 2015-16.

Player You Wish Were On Your Team: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

The reaction: Give it up for Stephen Curry all you want, but LeBron can still put his head down and take his team to either the brink of a title (2015) or the ring in full (2016).

Best Social Media Follow: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

The reaction: This vote was mainly driven by those that want LeBron to follow back, sorry.

Best Dressed: Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

The reaction: We’ve come a long way from Joe Forte wearing a Los Angeles Lakers throwback jersey on the bench. The Celtics’ bench.

Coach You’d Most Like to Play For: Gregg Popovich, San Antonio Spurs

The reaction: 2002-era Tony Parker and former Spurs center Jackie Butler, clearly, were not allowed to participate in the voting process. Coach Pop is beloved league-wide, and it’s going to be interesting to view him in his first campaign without Tim Duncan since 1996-97. Dominique Wilkins played for Coach Pop during that season.

Best off the Bench: Jamal Crawford, Sixth Man of the Year

The reaction: He may not have been the best choice for the NBA or NBPA’s award this season, but that doesn’t mean the award shouldn’t be named after him. Jamal is a great dude and the embodiment of what we expect from a high-end sixth man – a gunner who can give you a 14-point second quarter out of nowhere.

Best Defender: Kawhi Leonard, San Antonio Spurs

The reaction: Appropriate.

(Kawhi appreciates one-word answers.)

Best Rookie: Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves

The reaction: This could be the best rookie we’ll see in a long, long time. For Towns to contribute this excellent an all-around game at his age (he turned 20 a month into the season), the age that just about all top prospects come into the NBA with these days, was remarkable.

Global Impact: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

The reaction: Kobe sure does sell a lot of shoes.

Best Veteran Influence: Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs

The reaction: Duncan had a way of keeping everything in check with players far older than him or not much younger than him all the way back in his first few seasons, so we see no reason why that would change nearly two decades later.

Best Comeback Player: Paul George, Indiana Pacers

The reaction: George broke his leg during a Team USA scrimmage in 2014 and actually did play during 2014-15, but a comeback as remarkable as his (with George returning to All-Star form) deserves to carry over for at least a year. His is a fantastic story, and his ability to top it off with a Gold medal in Rio should act as one of the more heartwarming aspects of the Olympiad.

The NBPA also released its list of each team’s 2016 Teammate of the Year Award winners, all richly deserved.

How rich? Nine of the 30 players listed have since changed teams, and one retired:

Congratulations to all!

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Kelly Dwyer is an editor for Ball Don’t Lie on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!

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