Top Player: Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Since Jokic has now won 3 out of the last 4 MVP's, we're once again in the position we were 2 years ago where a lot of people are lobbying for somebody else to win (the popular pick this time around is Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) just for the sake of mixing things up. This isn't to say that Gilgeous-Alexander would be underserving MVP, he's averaging 30+ points per game on over 50% shooting from the field for a 3rd straight season and remains the undisputed leader of a Thunder team that has taken another huge step forward in 2024-25. In fact, he would be the clear MVP if Jokic wasn't in the midst of yet another career-best season. The Nuggets star is on pace to average a triple double (current averages are 29.8 points/12.6 rebounds/10.2 assists per game) for the first time in his career, currently boasts a 3PT% of 45.0 while shooting just over 1.5 attempts (4.5) more per game than he did a year ago (2.9, which is ironically also his career average) and has even upped steal total to nearly 2 per game (1.8). That's absolute freak shit right there and he completely deserves to continue to be awarded for it until either the day that somebody exceeds his stat sheet-stuffing magic, or the Nuggets are no longer an annual contender comes along.
Honorable Mentions: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
Top Defensive Player: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Speaking of freak shit, it only took Wembanyama 1.5 seasons to become the most prolific shot blocker in the NBA right now. The chaos that his combination of athleticism and size is causing at the rim is unlike anything I've ever in the league before and it wouldn't shock me at all if he can get his blocks per game total up to 4+ over the final couple months of the season.
Honorable Mentions: Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Lugentz Dort (Thunder), Ivica Zubac (Clippers)
Top Most Improved: Norman Powell (Clippers)
Look, I understand why Cade Cunningham is the favorite for the real Most Improved Player Award right now. He's currently averaging career highs in nearly every stat category, just made his 1st All-Star team and most importantly, finally has the Pistons trending upwards after a prolonged stretch in the league's basement. I just think it's asinine to give the Most Improved Player award to a guy who got picked 1st overall not too long ago and was widely expected to be a franchise-altering player by the time he reached his 4th or 5th year in the league (he's in year #4 right now). Powell, on the other hand, is a journeyman vet who has taken advantage of the increasing playing time he's been afforded this season following the departure of Paul George in free agency to become the glue that's held this Clippers team together as they've navigated a rash of injuries and the continued growing pains of trying to find an identity while franchise cornerstone Kawhi Leonard bounces in and (mostly) out of the lineup.
Honorable Mentions: Jalen Williams (Thunder), Amen Thompson (Rockets), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans)
Top Rookie: Stephon Castle (Spurs)
Castle has wasted no time establishing himself as the perfect San Antonio Spur. It doesn't matter if he's starting or coming off the bench or what role the team needs him to play on any given night, he'll be completely locked in for every single second he's on the court. In a rookie class that's lacking star power in the traditional sense, that unselfishness and ability to impact the game in a variety of ways has made him stand out from the rest of his peers.
Honorable Mentions: Ke'lel Ware (Heat), Jaylen Wells (Grizzlies), Zaccharie Risacher (Hawks)
Top Sixth Man: Payton Pritchard (Celtics)
Pritchard has been a stabilizing force as the Celtics have fallen into several extended stretches of erratic play coming off their dominant title run a year ago. He's hustling for boards, has active hands on defense and is consistently drilling clutch shots-particularly from 3-when they need a bucket most. These are the types of things you want a Sixth Man to do for your team and as a Celtics fan, it's been awesome to see Pritchard get the opportunity to fill and excel in this role after being kept out of the rotation for much of the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons.
Honorable Mentions: De'Andre Hunter (Hawks/Cavaliers), Naz Reid (Timberwolves), Malik Beasley (Pistons)
Top Coach: Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers)
Prior to acquiring De'Andre Hunter from the Hawks at the trade deadline earlier this month, the Cavaliers effectively ran it back with the roster of the 2023-24 team that went 48-34 in the regular season and 5-7 in the playoffs after the Celtics steamrolled them in 5 games during the Conference Semifinals. Nobody who didn't know that information already would've never guessed that was the case watching them this year since they look like a completely different team and that's all thanks to their new head coach Kenny Atkinson. They're playing way faster on offense and harder on defense. Evan Mobley's Swiss Army Knife offensive skill set has been fully unleashed as he's now making more regular runs at the rim and taking more outside shots. Darius Garland has returned to peak form after back-to-back disappointing seasons following his breakout season in 2021-22. These are just a few of the reasons of why they've built up a commanding lead in the Eastern Conference through 54 games (44-10!!!) and it's going to take a huge collapse for them to not have home court advantage for the playoffs, which would be huge for the pursuit of their 2nd title in franchise history.
Honorable Mentions: Ime Udoka (Rockets), Taylor Jenkins (Grizzlies), J.B. Bickerstaff (Pistons)
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