Post All-Star Break Award Predictions

With the NBA returning from the All-Star break, I find this as a perfect time to review the most current predictions for the league awards given at years end. There is still plenty of season left for these to change but the stop in action this past weekend gives us a chance to reflect on what we have seen thus far and project the remaining year. We like to keep in mind these are early projections so each award will be revisited by seasons end.

MVP:

1. Lebron James

2. James Harden

3. Joel Embiid

There were plenty of names that were worthy of this top 3 but what I consider important for an MVP run relies heavily on the team having a good record and them being healthy for a good chunk of the year. Nikola Jokic deserves to be on this list, unfortunately I do not believe the Nuggets will be good enough for him to make a final 3 run. The recent injury to Embiid can really hurt his case but he has had such a strong half to the year already and I expect that to continue once he is back on the court. James Harden is such an interesting conversation but since the trade to Brooklyn he has looked even better than his former Houston self. Ever since Harden has taken ball handling duties when he and Kyrie are on the court together, the team has really taken off, even without their top player in Kevin Durant. Its hard to see Kevin Durant playing a large chunk of remaining games given the previous injury and the fact that Harden has run the show well in his absence. Lebron James seems primed to make one final MVP run in his lengthy career. Year after year Lebron proves his durability and even with Anthony Davis out recently I still envision the Lakers getting a top 3 seed in the west. Notable omissions with reasoning include Jokic (Record), Damian Lillard(record), Giannis (voter fatigue), and Kevin Durant (time missed).

Defensive Player of the Year:

1. Ruby Gobert

2. Ben Simmons

3. Anthony Davis

My heart says Ben Simmons here but its hard to emit Gobert given how well Utah has played this year and Gobert is a big reason for this. His defensive impact can never be overstated and is not underrated, however he also happens to be averaging just under 3 blocks per game – good for second in the league – and just under 2 fouls a game. At the time of this article the Jazz have the best record in the NBA and a top 3 defense. Ben Simmons is more of an eye test addition here, but I felt he even had a chance last year to be on this list. Be a willing and active defender on positions 1-4 is helpful here as he also regularly guards the teams best offensive player. His length and strength are a brutal combination for opposing offensive players and it’s a big reason the 76ers are the top seed in the East and top 5 in the league in defensive efficiency. Anthony Davis is arguably the best defender in the league when combining his length and speed that go with his awareness. Averaging over 1 block and steal per game each, while having under 2 fouls per game. Unfortunately for Davis, his lengthy injury really hurt his chances as catching up to the other two would be difficult.

Rookie of the Year:

1. LaMelo Ball

2. Tyrese Haliburton

3. Immanuel Quickley

This seems like a very short explanation, but LaMelo Ball has been far and away the best rookie thus far. Although he still is not showing the minutes you would hope on a nightly basis, his talent has been evident early. He can score, distribute, and is not as much of a wildcard as I had come to believe in the past. As soon as he begins getting starter minutes, I believe things could change quickly. Tyrese Haliburton has been a very good rookie even in a lackluster year, but it does not appear he will catch Ball unless he becomes a full-time starter and turns up the heat quickly. Haliburton has been the more efficient scorer but does not have as much of the burden and is not asked to do nearly as much. Immanuel Quickley has been a revelation for most Knicks fans and has shown promise that previous draft picks have not. Quickley has been outperforming fellow rookie in Obi Toppin as well. Especially after acquiring Derrick Rose, the Knicks now have a murky look at their backcourt, but the talent is evident. Unfortunately, this appears to be LaMelo Ball’s award to lose already.

Sixth Man of the Year:

1. Jordan Clarkson

2. Chris Boucher

3. Thaddeus Young

I believe this award is Jordan Clarkson’s to lose. Utah has been the best team in the league to this point and in my opinion, its mainly due to their defense and bench. Joe Ingles and Clarkson could both be in contention, but Clarkson has been the primary bench scorer and has been very consistent in that role this year. Boucher may just take himself out of contention due to playing himself into a starting role. His ability to stretch the floor, rebound, and protect the rim have been massive advantages for a Raptors team that has played many different lineups due to injuries/COVID. Thaddeus Young has been a fantastic piece for a struggling Bulls team this year. His ability to create and handle the bulk of the scoring for the second team has been impressive. LaVine is the man there but Chicago may be even worse without Thad Young controlling that second team. At the age of 32, it appears Young still has quite a few years left for any contending team that could greatly use his services.