The author was given an official ballot for year-end NBA awards, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Clutch Player of the Year. The author’s picks for MVP included Nikola Jokić in first place, followed by Luka Dončić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. Jokić’s impact on the Nuggets, leading the league in several advanced statistical metrics, solidified the author’s decision. Dončić’s stellar play for the Mavericks and Gilgeous-Alexander’s two-way superstar performance for the Thunder also earned them recognition.
For Defensive Player of the Year, the author selected Rudy Gobert in first place, followed by Bam Adebayo and Anthony Davis. Gobert’s influence on the Timberwolves’ defense, leading the league in several defensive metrics, earned him the top spot. Adebayo’s versatility and impact for the Heat and Davis’ ability to clean up defensive messes for the Lakers contributed to their placements on the list. In the Rookie of the Year category, Victor Wembanyama was chosen as the top rookie, followed by Chet Holmgren and Brandon Miller. Wembanyama’s offensive and defensive prowess, especially since being moved to center, along with his impact on the Spurs, earned him the first-place spot.
Mark Daigneault of the Thunder was selected as the Coach of the Year, with Jamahl Mosley of the Magic and Chris Finch of the Timberwolves rounding out the top three. Daigneault’s leadership of the young Thunder roster and their performance on both ends of the floor solidified his position as the top coach. In the Sixth Man of the Year category, Naz Reid of the Timberwolves was chosen as the top player, followed by Malik Monk and Norman Powell. Reid’s contributions to the Timberwolves, particularly in the absence of Karl-Anthony Towns, earned him the first-place spot.
For Most Improved Player, Tyrese Maxey of the 76ers was selected as the top player, followed by Coby White and Jalen Williams. Maxey’s scoring, playmaking, and improved shooting efficiency for the 76ers solidified his position as the most improved player. In the Clutch Player of the Year category, DeMar DeRozan of the Bulls was chosen as the top player, followed by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Nikola Jokić. DeRozan’s ability to score in crunch time and his impact on the Bulls’ success in close games earned him the first-place spot.
