2020 NBA Draft Awards Pt.2

Tee Morant Award: Tyrese Haliburton, Sacramento Kings

Throughout the history of the NBA draft, attendees have worked every year to take the fashion of the occasion to the next level. Whether it be floral suits, shorts, or a Fortnite suit lining (courtesy of Kevin Knox), we can always expect to see some unique styles at the NBA draft. Obviously we had to honor the legend himself, Tee Morant, with the name of this award after his suave pinstripe suit and 20’s gangster style hat tipped to the side. This year's draft was held virtually due to COVID-19, so I was worried that we were going to be seeing strictly sweatpants and t-shirts as the families sat comfortably on their couches waiting to hear their draftee’s name called. Thankfully I was wrong and there were many stand outs in the style department, RJ Hampton with the turtleneck under the suit jacket, or Lamelo Ball with the all black suit with spiked golden shoes and his logo encrusted in gold on the back of his jacket. But this year the award has to be given to Tyrese Haliburton, who took the same approach Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took in 2019 with the floral style suit, but Tyrese took it to a whole new level. With the velvet red bowtie and bright turquoise suit with red and pink roses covering it, Haliburton wins this award comfortably. - Owen Daryani

Worst Reaction: RJ Hampton, Denver Nuggets

I’ve been a Hampton fan since his high school days and I made a point to watch some of his NBL games last year. I think he’s an unbelievable athlete who could prove to be extremely valuable if curated in the right system. What better system is there than the Milwaukee Bucks who turned a scrawny Giannis Antetokounmpo into the two time MVP Greek Freak that he is today? While Milwaukee was the initial suitor for Hampton, he was traded shortly after the pick was made. Who did he get shipped to? The Denver Nuggets, a team that exceeded expectations all season and has an idyllic young core for modern basketball. Any normal prospect would be bouncing off the walls at the chance of playing for either of these organizations, but Hampton didn’t even move from his couch. Not one smile or any display of emotion. Just a blank and almost annoyed stare straight forward. I’m a fan of his from way back, but that’s about as big of a red flag as you can get. - Simon Pruitt

Right Place Wrong Time: Precious Achiuwa, Miami Heat

Memphis stud Precious Achiuwa was considered for numerous awards throughout the night, some of which didn’t make the final draft including Most Underrated Prospect and Coolest Sibling Name with an Apostrophe in it (God’sgift Achiuwa). While those would’ve been prestigious in their own right, Achiuwa can sleep happily knowing he’ll take home the Right Place Wrong Time prize. The 6’9 power forward should be able to insert himself right into Miami’s rough and physical style of play as an uber-athletic energy guy off the bench, potentially taking Basketball Beeswax heartthrob Kelly Olynyk’s rotation spot. That being said, the Achiuwa acquisition comes about a month too late after Miami’s Cinderella Finals run. I don’t doubt his ability to produce at an NBA level, especially that of a Pat Riley team. What I do question is the chance of another deep playoff run from this Miami team that benefitted from a few lucky breaks along their way. Precious would’ve been perfect for the Orlando Bubble, but instead he’ll have to settle for a few 45-50 win seasons and a 2nd round exit in South Beach. - Simon Pruitt

Buddy Hield Award: Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks

The Buddy Hield Award is given to the draftee who has the most memorable backstory. Whether it be inspiring or heartbreaking, every draft we hear the paths that these players took to get to the moment of their name being called, and they always capture the hearts of onlookers. The award’s namesake, Buddy Hield, had a particularly memorable draft night backstory in which they recounted Buddy’s rise to the NBA: growing up in the Bahamas in poverty, with his first encounter with basketball being on a hoop he made out of a milk crate and wooden plank. The NBA decided to take the NFL approach last night and highlight every draftee's childhood traumas, a choice most viewers are not big fans of, but that is what we got. This year's Buddy Hield award is given to Onyeka Okongwu. We heard the heartbreaking story of Onyeka’s little brother, Nnamdi Okongwu, who died after being in a freak skateboarding accident. Although it was very hard to hear about, it definitely left viewers rooting for Onyeka and the inspiring way in which he plays for his little brother everyday. - Owen Daryani

Wrong Place Right Time: Aaron Nesmith, Boston Celtics

Vanderbilt sharpshooter Aaron Nesmith was taken at #14 by the Celtics in what seemed like a bit of a reach. Nesmith’s play style and 3&D role in a lineup is perfectly suited to the current brand of basketball played in the NBA and I can easily see him contributing to a playoff team in the near future because of it. That playoff team is not Boston. At the small forward position, Nesmith will be “competing” with Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Gordon Hayward for minutes which might be the worst possible place to be in a NBA rotation. I like what he can bring to a team and I’m sure that his strengths of perimeter defense and shooting will be capitalized on at some point, just not in Boston. - Simon Pruitt

Jeremy Stephens Award: Aleksej Pokusevski, Minnesota Timberwolves

The Jeremy Stephens Award, named after the iconic UFC press conference in which Conor McGregor exclaimed “Who is that guy?” after the noticeably awkward Stephens tried to fire an insult McGregor’s way. The emasculating comeback effectively ended Stephens’ reputation among MMA fans and further emphasized the distance between the stars and everyone else. The irony in naming the award for the most random and unheard of draft selection after the unknown person in question was intentional. This year, the Jeremy Stephens Award goes to Aleksej Pokusevski from Serbia whose draft room looked like a hastily-made sitcom set with a live studio audience that regrets their decision to attend. That hypothetical sitcom would probably get picked up by CBS and this draft pick will probably get picked up by a European team within a few years. - Simon Pruitt

Least Intimidating in a Pickup Game: Aleksej Pokusevski, Minnesota Timberwolves

Let's say I was facing death and the Grim Reaper presented me with an ultimatum, beat any player in a 1v1 match from the NBA draft, I would without hesitation choose Aleksej Pokusevski. Obviously this choice is made without taking the skill level of Aleksej into account, but from the close minded perspective of the eye test, Poku is the obvious choice for this award due to his lanky appendages and yard stick frame. Basketball Beeswax offers congratulations to Mr. Pokusevski for becoming the first and only two time draft award winner. - Owen Daryani

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