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James Harden beat finalists LeBron James and Anthony Davis for his most valuable first player after leading the league scoring and guiding the Rockets to a 65-17 NBA record.
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Ben Simmons poses for photos after winning the Rookie of the Year award.(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, USA TODAY Sports)

The second annual NBA awards have come and gone.

The flagship event – during which the winners of all the NBA's regular season grand prix awards, including MVP and Rookie of the Year – was held at the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California, was announced. broadcast live on TNT.

The top six prizes were voted on by a panel of media members before the playoffs began. The winners are listed below.

Most valuable player

James Harden, Houston: Harden, who finished second in the MVP race in 2014-15 and 2016-17, led the Rockets to a franchise record of 65 wins and led the NBA in scoring (30.4 points per game), three points (265) and 50 points (four). Harden received 86 of 101 possible votes for first place.

Second place: LeBron James of Cleveland; Third place: Anthony Davis of New Orleans

Rookie of the year

Ben Simmons, Philadelphia: After spending a year on the sidelines due to a foot injury, Simmons' rookie season has proven very useful. He joined Oscar Robertson as the only other rookie in NBA history with an average of 15 points, eight rebounds and eight assists per game.

Donovan Mitchell of Utah did not let Simmons forget that he was drafted in 2016. Mitchell, who emerged as a star after being caught with No. 13 pick in the 2010 draft. 2017, rolled to the festivities with a not so subtle message.

Second place: Mitchell; Third place: Jayson Tatum from Boston

Most improved player

Victor Oladipo, Indiana: Nobody in the league has improved as much as Oladipo, who bounced back from a difficult season in Oklahoma City to become a star in his own right. He set career highs in points (23.1 per game), rebounds (5.2), assists (4.3), interceptions (2.4) and percentage of field goals (47.7).

Second place: Clint Capela of Houston; Third place: Spencer Dinwiddie from Brooklyn

Defensive player of the year

Rudy Gobert, Utah: The Jazz has earned the NBA's highest rating of 97.5 in the last 38 games of the season after Gobert returned from a knee injury. He ranked fourth in the NBA overall (129) despite an absence of 26 matches.

Second place: Joel Embiid of Philadelphia; Third place: Davis

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Sixth Man Award

Lou Williams, Los Angeles Clippers: Although he started 19 games because of the Clippers' injury assault, Williams averaged 22.6 points in career. This is the second Sixth Man Award of his career.

Second place: Eric Gordon of Houston; Third place: Fred VanVleet of Toronto

Coach of the year

Dwane Casey, Toronto: Casey, who was sacked after the Raptors were eliminated from the playoffs by Cleveland and then hired as Detroit head coach, led Toronto to 59 wins and first place in the Eastern Conference. During his acceptance speech, Casey spoke to the elephant in the room.

Second place: Quin Snyder of Utah; Third place: Brad Stevens from Boston

Other winners

  • Twyman-Stokes' teammate of the year: Jamal Crawford, Minnesota
  • Award for all achievements: Oscar Robertson
  • Hustle Award: Amir Johnson, Philadelphia
  • Executive of the year: Daryl Morey, Houston
  • Community Aid Award: Kevin Durant, Golden State
  • Sager Strong Award: Dikembe Mutombo