Social media was abuzz with reactions from some of the NBA's biggest stars and other celebrities as the league's inaugural awards show and announcement of All-NBA teams took place on Monday.
Oklahoma City guard Russell Westbrook closed down the day's festivities by bringing home his first MVP trophy, beating out James Harden of the Houston Rockets and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs in one of the most entertaining races in league history.
.@taylorswift13 sings Russell's praises! #0urMVP pic.twitter.com/5HgKeVrMsi
β OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) June 27, 2017
No! No! No!
β Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) June 27, 2017
You Are The Real MVP...! pic.twitter.com/h8SE9XdgNT
Oh no!! Plz
β Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) June 27, 2017
Don't do him like that
ππ pic.twitter.com/bynXohG3ZO
Congrats to my brother @russwest44 βπΎπͺπΎ #ManiacRuss
β Anthony Morrow (@MrAnthonyMorrow) June 27, 2017
Congrats to @russwest44 for finishing his historic+unforgettable season with the #NBAMVP. Unbelievable what you've accomplished brother.
β Kevin Love (@kevinlove) June 27, 2017
That's the @russwest44 that I know! Congrats Bruin Brodie!
β Earl J Watson (@Earl_Watson) June 27, 2017
Congrats to the Brodie!!!@russwest44 #WhyNot #MVP
β Norris Cole II (@pg30_Cole) June 27, 2017
Congratulations to the 2017 @NBA MVP, Russell Westbrook! #NBABruins pic.twitter.com/upsdfcGiF3
β UCLA Basketball (@UCLAMBB) June 27, 2017
Historic season. Congrats @russwest44 #MVP
β Grayson (@GraysonJAllen) June 27, 2017
Congratulations to our MVP @russwest44 from all of #OKC. #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/fZOGVPfISU
β City of OKC (@cityofokc) June 27, 2017
Another close race was for Rookie of the Year, which was ultimately bestowed upon Milwaukee Bucks guard Malcolm Brogdon. The second-round pick in last year's draft received the honor over Philadelphia 76ers pair Joel Embiid and Dario Saric.
Congrats to Malcom for the award.. you deserve it #ROY
β Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 27, 2017
Well deserved The prez #NBAAwards2017 #roy
β Jason Terry (@jasonterry31) June 27, 2017
Congrats Malc!! Well deservedπ #Prez #2040 #ROY https://t.co/gLgwzMWo64
β Matthew Dellavedova (@matthewdelly) June 27, 2017
My Boy #prez with the #ROTY well deserved #NBAAwards
β Thon Maker β’ (@ThonMaker14) June 27, 2017
Really like Brogdon but thought my guys should have been Co-ROY π #ROY #NBAAwards
β Gerald Henderson (@GhJr09) June 27, 2017
Congrats, guys. See you next year. π
β Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) June 27, 2017
The Bucks weren't done winning awards, though, as Giannis Antetokounmpo earned Most Improved Player. Although the Greek Freak wasn't in attendance to accept the hardware, he delivered a message through the Bucks' Twitter account, and some of his teammates reacted accordingly.
A thank you to his teammates, coaches, fans and family from @Giannis_An34 after winning the @NBA's Most Improved Player π #NBAAwards pic.twitter.com/mLXfWjrRwN
β Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) June 27, 2017
YEAAAAAAA GIANNNNNNNY!!!!
β John Henson (@Johnhenson31) June 27, 2017
And another βοΈcongratulations to @Giannis_An34 deservingly winning the #MIP #NBAAwards
β Thon Maker β’ (@ThonMaker14) June 27, 2017
Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr. set Twitter ablaze with his humorous reaction to Thunder guard Victor Oladipo's victory in the Dunk of the Year category. Nance Jr. posted a single photo of potato chips indicating his "saltiness" about the perceived snub of his memorable throwdown over new teammate Brook Lopez.
β Larry Nance Jr (@Larrydn22) June 27, 2017
Coach of the Year went to Mike D'Antoni of the Rockets, who opened his acceptance speech with a zinger directed at the sportswriters who might have both voted for him this year and once ridiculed him during his tumultuous tenure with the New York Knicks.
"I never thought I'd be in New York and have to thank the sportswriters for Coach of the Year, but Β―\_(γ)_/Β―" pic.twitter.com/In8TScPlqV
β NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 27, 2017
Yeaaaaah coach!! #CoachOfTheYear
β Sam Dekker (@dekker) June 27, 2017
All-NBA teams were also announced earlier Monday, and the results were met with mixed emotions.
Rockets guard Patrick Beverley received plenty of digital love from his teammates following the announcement that he made this year's All-Defensive First Team.
πππππ. God is good!!! 1st Team All-Defense!!!!
β Patrick Beverley (@patbev21) June 26, 2017
Congrats my brother Pat, well deserved& we all know it!!! πππππOne of many blessings to come!!!! pic.twitter.com/v6JEixJR2t
β Nene Hilario (@NeneHilario42) June 26, 2017
I πyou 94 feet! Well deserved !! https://t.co/56dxAc0JEC
β Clint Capela (@CapelaClint) June 26, 2017
76ers guard Robert Covington gave a shoutout to his young teammates for making the NBA All-Rookie team.
Congrats to my bros @dariosaric and @JoelEmbiid for making first team all-rookie
β Robert Covington (@Holla_At_Rob33) June 26, 2017
Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley finished 10th in All-Defensive Team voting, and NBA players were both surprised and angry about it. Some of the league's biggest stars took to Twitter to argue that Bradley was robbed of a spot.
No Avery Bradley all-defense?! On the behalf of the players... he deserves it!
β Devin Booker (@DevinBook) June 26, 2017
Btw Avery Bradley not making at least 1st team All Defense is so crazy to me.. I wanna know who these voters are smh
β Joel Embiid (@JoelEmbiid) June 27, 2017
What are yall's thoughts on Avery Bradley not making an All NBA Defensive team? π€
β Myles Turner (@Original_Turner) June 26, 2017
No way #AveryBradley shouldn't have made the all defensive team @nba
β Marquis Daniels (@Marquis_Daniels) June 26, 2017
Damn Avery, Smart or Jae didn't get all defense??? That's a JOKE!!!
β Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) June 26, 2017
He's viewed as a Top 3 wing defender in this league by players!!! https://t.co/G3gjZvFHUY
β Jared Dudley (@JaredDudley619) June 26, 2017
Avery Bradley got my vote π€π½
β Jamal Murray (@BeMore27) June 26, 2017
I'm upset I didn't make it.... but HOW DO YOU NOT HAVE Avery Bradley on either team??? Makes no sense whatsoever. #nohate #realtalk https://t.co/vj7i0PtoT8
β Garrett Temple (@GTemp14) June 26, 2017
Regardless of the final vote count, it's clear the 26-year-old has the respect of his peers.
-- Sarah Scrivens and Nick Ostiller