Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta Hawks

Lillard wins Magic Johnson Award, Millsap a finalist

Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap shoots over Washington Wizards Markieff Morris in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series on Saturday, April 22, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap shoots over Washington Wizards Markieff Morris in Game 3 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series on Saturday, April 22, 2017, in Atlanta. Curtis Compton/ccompton@ajc.com
By Chris Vivlamore
May 2, 2017

Damian Lillard of the Trail Blazers won the 2016-17 Magic Johnson Award given by the Professional Basketball Writers Association it was announced Tuesday. The award honors the player who best combines excellence on the basketball court with cooperation and dignity in dealing with the media and the public.

Paul Millsap of the Hawks was a finalist. Millsap was also awarded the Good Guy Award by the Atlanta chapter of the PBWA for his cooperation with the media this year.

The other finalists for the Magic Johnson Award were DeMar DeRozan of the Raptors, Paul George of the Pacers and Draymond Green of the Warriors.

Members of the PBWA selected the winner through a vote. The PBWA is composed of over 200 writers and editors who cover the NBA on a regular basis for newspapers, online outlets and magazines.

About the Author

Chris Vivlamore is the sports editor at The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He has served as reporter and editor at the AJC since 2003.

Follow Chris Vivlamore on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson notched his fourth triple-double of the season in a win over the Wizards on Saturday, tying him with Bill Bridges for most in a single season in Hawks history. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Johnson’s second straight triple-double boosts Hawks over Wizards

Jalen Johnson's second straight triple-double led the Hawks to a 131-116 win over the Washington Wizards on Saturday night.

Jalen Johnson’s first-half triple-double not enough to lift Hawks past Nuggets

The Hawks led the Nuggets by 9 to start the fourth quarter, but the Nuggets went on a 26-7 run to take the lead for good.

Well-traveled Hawks lose to Clippers in return to State Farm Arena

The Atlanta Hawks fell to the Clippers Wednesday night but Atlanta was without Jalen Johnson, Trae Young and Kristas Porzingis.

The Latest

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson notched his fourth triple-double of the season in a win over the Wizards on Saturday, tying him with Bill Bridges for most in a single season in Hawks history. (Hyosub Shin/AJC)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Johnson’s second straight triple-double boosts Hawks over Wizards

Jalen Johnson’s first-half triple-double not enough to lift Hawks past Nuggets

Well-traveled Hawks lose to Clippers in return to State Farm Arena

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP

A tiny nation qualified for its first World Cup. Cape Verde has fans here

Cape Verde, competing in its first World Cup, will take on the world's No. 1 team in Spain at 12 p.m. on June 15 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Georgia’s special ed program promised help. Families say it delivered them harm.

Georgia subdues a nemesis in rolling past Crimson Tide for SEC championship

Georgia notched its best win of the season at the perfect time, finally vanquishing Alabama in Atlanta and taking home the SEC Championship for the second straight year.