As the NBA regular season enters its final stretch, while playoff and lottery spots are fiercely contested, another annual tradition takes center stage: the awards season push.
Players, coaches, and teams are actively making their cases for the league`s most prestigious individual accolades, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
Recently, the MVP race was analyzed, revealing Oklahoma City Thunder`s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander maintaining a lead over Denver Nuggets` Nikola Jokic in the final straw poll for a potential first MVP award. Jokic aims for his fourth MVP in five years, a feat matched only by legends LeBron James and Bill Russell.
However, the races for the other three major awards remain highly competitive with several strong candidates. This article dives into the current status of each race, exploring insights from league sources regarding who might take home the hardware.
Defensive Player of the Year: Who Takes the Crown?
Analysts` Perspective: Initially, the Defensive Player of the Year award seemed destined for San Antonio Spurs` Victor Wembanyama. However, his season was unfortunately shortened. This development has opened up the race to a wider field of contenders.
Among the prominent names are Cleveland Cavaliers` Evan Mobley, Memphis Grizzlies` Jaren Jackson Jr., and Golden State Warriors` Draymond Green, all formidable big men. Perimeter players like Atlanta Hawks` Dyson Daniels and Oklahoma City Thunder`s Luguentz Dort are also in contention.
Financial Stakes: For Mobley and Jackson, winning Defensive Player of the Year or making an All-NBA team carries financial implications. It could significantly increase Mobley`s rookie extension and make Jackson eligible for a supermax contract, facilitating a long-term extension with the Grizzlies.
Beyond finances, both are credible candidates. Jackson, the 2023 winner, is arguably having a career-best season, while Mobley has shown remarkable growth in his fourth year.
An Eastern Conference GM highlighted Mobley`s defensive impact, stating, “When we play Cleveland, our top priority is to draw Mobley away from the paint because he causes significant problems. He`s a defensive force.” Another executive echoed this sentiment, calling Mobley`s impact “immeasurable” and describing him as “the driving force of their entire defense,” labeling him a “defensive MVP.”
Veteran Contenders: Green, a past winner from 2017, has seen his candidacy gain momentum, partly due to Golden State`s improved performance. His vocal advocacy for his own case in the media also plays a role.
Emerging Talents: Daniels has emerged as a defensive revelation since joining the Atlanta Hawks. His exceptional steal rate is noteworthy, and his disruptive defensive play forces opponents to specifically game plan against him. An East assistant coach praised Daniels` defensive skills, particularly in the modern NBA`s challenging defensive environment.
The Lockdown Defender: Dort of the Thunder is recognized for consistently guarding the opposition`s top scorer, contributing significantly to the Thunder`s league-leading defense. A veteran scout likened Dort to a “shutdown cornerback,” emphasizing his ability to neutralize top offensive threats. Another scout noted Dort`s under-the-radar impact, stating he can get into the heads of All-Star players despite lacking widespread public recognition.
Rookie of the Year: A Tight Race
Analysts` Overview: This rookie class is considered less sensational, leading to a more open Rookie of the Year race. Experts suggest it`s primarily a contest between San Antonio Spurs` Stephon Castle and Atlanta Hawks` Zaccharie Risacher.
Castle has been the betting favorite, especially with increased playing time due to injuries. He has posted strong stats since the All-Star break, averaging 17.2 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.4 assists. However, his shooting efficiency has declined.
One scout drew a parallel to the 2014 Rookie of the Year race, suggesting Castle might be benefiting from higher counting stats. Castle`s impressive All-Star weekend, including a Rising Stars MVP award, has bolstered his profile.
The Quiet Riser: Risacher, meanwhile, has steadily improved for the Hawks. While his season averages aren`t eye-catching, his performance since January 1st shows significant improvement, averaging 13.7 points with better shooting percentages, while contributing to a playoff-contending team. An executive highlighted Risacher`s contribution to a successful team, arguing it should weigh in his favor.
Other rookies mentioned include Washington Wizards` Alex Sarr and Miami Heat`s Kel`el Ware, praised by scouts. Toronto Raptors` Jamal Shead, a second-round pick, was also noted for his defensive prowess, though not as a Rookie of the Year contender.
What Could Have Been: An assistant coach noted that Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets could have been a strong contender on another team, but limited playing time due to team depth has hampered his candidacy despite flashes of potential, like a 25-point game against Oklahoma City.
Coach of the Year: A Compelling Debate
Analysts` Take: The Coach of the Year award is always hotly debated, with numerous deserving candidates each season. This year is no different, especially with coaching changes adding intrigue.
The Frontrunner: Kenny Atkinson of the Cleveland Cavaliers has been a leading candidate for months, guiding the team to a strong season in the Eastern Conference. However, there`s growing support within the league for J.B. Bickerstaff of the Detroit Pistons, given their dramatic turnaround from a historically poor season to playoff contention.
A general manager questioned how Bickerstaff could be overlooked, emphasizing the Pistons` significant improvement. While roster changes and player development are factors, Bickerstaff deserves considerable credit.
Atkinson, however, has elevated the Cavaliers, maximizing the potential of their roster. One coach praised Atkinson for getting “great years out of basically everyone” and for his strategic coaching.
The Silent Achiever: Mark Daigneault of the Oklahoma City Thunder is also a strong contender, leading his team to an exceptional record and potentially a 70-win season. A team president questioned Daigneault`s lack of consideration, pointing to the Thunder`s remarkable season and potential historic win total. Historically, coaches who led teams to 70+ wins have often won Coach of the Year.
