On Tuesday afternoon, I finalized my official NBA awards ballot, casting my votes for the league`s most prestigious individual honors. These included the seven major end-of-season awards: Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player, and Clutch Player of the Year, in addition to the All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams.

Below is a breakdown of my ballot and the rationale behind each selection, with a nod to Matt `Stats` Williams for providing invaluable data for our evaluations.

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Most Valuable Player

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks

Each season presents several deserving MVP candidates, and this year’s race was exceptionally tight, culminating in a final showdown between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic, both undeniably elite players who delivered outstanding seasons.

Gilgeous-Alexander spearheaded the Thunder to become only the seventh team in NBA history to achieve at least 68 wins, leading the league with 32.7 points per game while maintaining a 51.9% field goal percentage. Jokic, on the other hand, had a statistically remarkable season, ranking among the top three in points (29.6), rebounds (12.7), and assists (10.2) with impressive shooting splits of 57.6% from the field and 41.7% from three-point range.

The debate between Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokic was ongoing, and a quote from former Nuggets coach Michael Malone resonated with me: `If you were unaware of Nikola`s three MVP titles and compared Player A and Player B on paper… he would win unequivocally,` Malone stated last month.

Malone`s viewpoint was understandable. However, securing a fourth MVP title in five years—a feat achieved only by LeBron James and Bill Russell—required Jokic to perform exceptionally.

Given the closely contested nature of the race, as acknowledged by numerous media members, players, coaches, and executives, the advantage should lean towards the leader of what is arguably the most dominant regular-season team in NBA history.

The Thunder established a record point differential, exceeding their opponents by over 1,000 points and by 12.7 points per 100 possessions. They secured 68 wins despite Chet Holmgren missing 50 games and significant absences from summer acquisitions Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso.

The Nuggets were considerably more effective with Jokic on the court. However, despite the Thunder`s deeper talent pool compared to Denver around Jokic, Oklahoma City`s performance dipped significantly when Gilgeous-Alexander was off the court. Without him, their top-ranked offense would fall to 22nd in the league.

Antetokounmpo was a clear third choice, marking his seventh consecutive season in the top four. Tatum was also in contention for third, but Antetokounmpo`s strong finish in the last months, especially after Damian Lillard`s injury, solidified his position ahead of Tatum.

A significant gap existed between Tatum and contenders for the fifth spot, primarily Brunson and Donovan Mitchell. Ultimately, Brunson claimed the fifth position due to his clutch performances, potentially earning him further accolades.

Defensive Player of the Year

Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies

Leading up to the All-Star break, the DPOY discussion centered on who would trail Victor Wembanyama. However, Wembanyama`s season-ending diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis opened up the race. Several players, including Zubac, Mobley, Jackson Jr., Rudy Gobert, Draymond Green, Dyson Daniels, Amen Thompson, and Luguentz Dort, emerged as contenders, possibly each receiving first-place votes.

The decision came down to Zubac and Mobley. The Clippers boasted one of the league`s top defenses, ranking third in defensive rating, largely due to Zubac`s presence. He allowed the lowest shot quality as the primary defender among players contesting at least 700 shots this season, according to GenuisIQ data. Mobley, conversely, is arguably the league`s most versatile defender, uniquely guarding guards, forwards, and centers for over 900 half-court matchups this season.

Zubac ultimately edged out Mobley, having played nine more games and 500 additional minutes. His significant paint presence propelled the Clippers to a top-five defensive rating, just enough to surpass Mobley.

Jackson Jr., like Mobley, is valued for his defensive versatility, with Memphis`s defense significantly declining when he is off the court. He is one of only two players to defend all positions for at least 800 possessions and the only player with at least 75 steals and 100 blocks this season.

Coach of the Year

Kenny Atkinson, Cleveland Cavaliers
J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons
Ime Udoka, Houston Rockets

The top two candidates have been consistent for weeks, but I fluctuated between them since mid-March. The Pistons’ dramatic increase in wins from last season is notable, and Bickerstaff has effectively instilled defensive discipline in his young team.

However, the most challenging leap in the NBA is progressing from good to great. The Cavaliers exceeded expectations, securing home-court advantage throughout the Eastern Conference playoffs with 64 wins and substantial player development across the roster.

Udoka also deserves consideration for guiding a team initially expected to contend for a play-in spot to the second seed in the Western Conference, along with Tyronn Lue of the Clippers. Lue has managed the Clippers effectively, navigating uncertainties around Kawhi Leonard`s availability, making his omission from the ballot a difficult choice.

Rookie of the Year

Zaccharie Risacher, Atlanta Hawks
Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
Jaylen Wells, Memphis Grizzlies

This year`s Rookie of the Year race differs significantly from last year`s, where Wembanyama and Holmgren were exceptionally impactful rookies. This season, the choice was between Castle, who took on a more prominent role in San Antonio, and Risacher, who played effectively on a playoff-contending team. I favored Risacher, the top draft pick, who has averaged 14 points with 50% shooting from the field and 40% from three-point range since January 1.

Wells, a second-round pick who became a starter for the Grizzlies, ranked third.

Most Improved Player

Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Ivica Zubac, LA Clippers
Austin Reaves, Los Angeles Lakers

I question the necessity of this award, similar to the discontinued Comeback Player of the Year award, which was phased out due to unclear criteria. Defining `most improved` is subjective. It often defaults to young, high-draft players making significant leaps, as noted by JJ Redick.

This season, Mobley tops my ballot. His transformation from non-All-Star consideration last year to an All-NBA caliber player this season makes him deserving.

Zubac has also shown remarkable improvement for the Clippers, significantly increasing his minutes and performance across various metrics. Reaves has played a crucial role in the Lakers` strong second half of the season.

Sixth Man of the Year

Payton Pritchard, Boston Celtics
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Minnesota Timberwolves
Malik Beasley, Detroit Pistons

Pritchard was a straightforward choice, consistently being the third-most reliable player for the Celtics, providing energy and production off the bench. His 40% three-point shooting on nearly eight attempts per game has been crucial for Boston.

Alexander-Walker and Beasley were also strong contenders. Alexander-Walker has been vital for Minnesota, while Beasley’s career year has significantly boosted Detroit`s performance.

Clutch Player of the Year

Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Trae Young, Atlanta Hawks

Brunson, Jokic, and Young were clear choices for this award. Brunson’s clutch scoring is among the highest in recent history, consistently securing wins for New York. Jokic excelled in clutch situations, ranking high in points and assists, and Young led in fourth-quarter points and assists.