Hosted by Saturday Night Live cast member Jay Pharoah at The Penn & Teller Theater in The Rio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino, “The Players’ Awards” gave a salute to top NBA players, coaches and arenas on Tuesday evening. I was on the carpet getting the scoop from the NBA players themselves for PopWrapped TV.
Although Jay Pharoah tried to keep us laughing, Comedian/Actor Gary “G-Thang” Johnson should have been the host instead of providing comedic relief during commercials.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Gary “G-Thang” Jonson performs onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), the NBA’s MVP, receivedtwo awards: “Clutch Performer” and “Hardest to Guard”. Curry’s home court Oracle Arena in Oakland, CA took home the award for “Best Home Court Advantage”. James Harden (Houston Rockets) received the coveted “Most Valuable Player” Award sponsored by Toyota®.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Stephen Curry onstage accepting an award during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: James Harden onstage accepting the MVP Award during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
Allen Iverson gave an emotional acceptance speech for “Game Changer” as well as Ray Allen who was honored for “Man of the Year,”. President Obama even taped a special message for his special friend Ray Allen.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: (L-R) Retired NBA player Allen Iverson accepts the Game Changer Award from Rapper Lil Wayne and NBA player Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers speak onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: NBA player Ray Allen accepts the award for Man of the Year onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
While the night went on, BET kept us entertained by performances and appearances from Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Jason Derulo, Fifth Harmony, Monica, Kid Ink, Naturi Naughton, Hannibal Buress, Jesse Williams, and DJ Khaled as the house DJ.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Rapper 2 Chainz attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: DJ Khaled attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Singer Monica attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Singer Jason Derulo (L) performs onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Rapper Kid Ink performs onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Rapper Lil Wayne performs onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Singer Naturi Naughton attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Bryan Steffy/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Comedian Hannibal Buress attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Actor Gary Owen speaks onstage during The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/BET/Getty Images for BET)
LAS VEGAS, NV – JULY 19: Actor Jesse Williams attends The Players’ Awards presented by BET at the Rio Hotel & Casino on July 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
Check out the highlights from The Players Awards down below.
To get more information about BET & NBPA’s partnership and the winner of the award show, click here.
I’m Aniesia Williams and I’m the branding expert who thinks, “It has to be a better way than this and I’m going to find it.” My superpower is creating experiences with incredibly effective communication. That, and I love almonds.
