As the NBA regular season nears its end, while teams battle for playoff spots, another tradition emerges: the awards season push.
Players, coaches, and teams are advocating for their candidates for the league`s top individual awards, including Most Valuable Player, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year.
The MVP race was recently discussed, highlighting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander`s lead over Nikola Jokic in the final straw poll. Now, attention turns to the Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards, all of which are still undecided with several strong contenders.
Who Should Win Defensive Player of the Year?
Initially, it seemed Victor Wembanyama`s first Defensive Player of the Year award was imminent. However, his injury in February changed the landscape, opening the race to multiple players.
Candidates include Evan Mobley of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jaren Jackson Jr. of the Memphis Grizzlies, and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, along with perimeter defenders Dyson Daniels of the Atlanta Hawks and Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
For Mobley and Jackson, winning could have financial implications, potentially increasing their contract value significantly.
Money aside, both are strong candidates. Jackson, a past winner in 2023, is performing exceptionally, while Mobley has shown significant growth in his fourth season.
An Eastern Conference GM noted Mobley`s defensive impact, calling him a “beast” and a major problem for opponents in the paint.
Another executive emphasized Mobley`s immeasurable impact and described him as the “definition of a defensive MVP” for Cleveland`s defense.
Green`s candidacy has gained momentum recently, coinciding with Golden State`s improved performance. His self-promotion in the media also plays a role.
Daniels has been a standout defender since joining Atlanta, on pace for impressive steal statistics. His disruptive defense is a key focus for opposing teams.
An Eastern Conference assistant coach praised Daniels` ability to guard effectively in the modern NBA`s challenging defensive environment.
Dort is recognized for his shutdown defense on Oklahoma City, the league`s top defensive team. His ability to neutralize top opposing scorers is highly valued.
A veteran scout compared Dort to a shutdown cornerback, impacting games by limiting opponents` best players.
Another scout highlighted Dort`s under-the-radar impact, emphasizing his ability to frustrate even All-Star players.
Who Should Win Rookie of the Year?
This rookie class is considered less exciting overall, making the Rookie of the Year race genuinely competitive between Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs and Zaccharie Risacher of the Atlanta Hawks.
Castle has been the betting favorite, benefiting from increased playing time due to De`Aaron Fox`s injury. He has posted strong stats since the All-Star break, although his shooting efficiency has declined.
One scout drew a comparison to the 2014 Rookie of the Year race, suggesting Castle`s high stats might be swaying opinions.
Castle`s impressive All-Star weekend, including the Rising Stars MVP, strengthens his case, as does his increased role with key players sidelined.
Risacher, meanwhile, has steadily improved for the Hawks over the past few months.
While his season stats are not overwhelming, his performance since January 1st shows significant improvement in scoring and shooting percentages, contributing to a playoff-contending team.
An executive noted Risacher`s contribution to a postseason team, arguing it should be considered in his favor.
Alex Sarr of the Washington Wizards and Kel`el Ware of the Miami Heat were also praised by scouts and executives. Jamal Shead of the Raptors, though not a contender, was mentioned for his strong defense.
A scout lauded Shead`s on-ball defense, despite his shooting limitations.
Like Defensive Player of the Year, the Rookie of the Year race might have been settled earlier if Jared McCain of the Philadelphia 76ers hadn`t suffered a season-ending injury. He had a strong start to the season before his injury.
An assistant coach suggested Reed Sheppard of the Houston Rockets would be a contender on another team, highlighting his potential shown in a 25-point game against Oklahoma City, despite limited playing time due to Houston`s depth.
Who Should Win Coach of the Year?
Each year, multiple coaches are deserving of the Coach of the Year award, and this year is no different. The coaching change in Cleveland, with Kenny Atkinson replacing J.B. Bickerstaff, adds intrigue to this year`s race.
Atkinson has led the Cavaliers to a strong season, consistently leading the Eastern Conference, making him a long-time favorite for the award. However, there`s growing support for Bickerstaff within the league, given the Pistons` significant turnaround from a 14-win season to playoff contention.
One general manager questioned how Bickerstaff could be overlooked, emphasizing the Pistons` dramatic improvement and Bickerstaff`s role in it.
Atkinson, however, has elevated Cleveland to new heights, exceeding preseason expectations.
One coach praised Atkinson for maximizing the Cavaliers` roster through his coaching strategy and system.
Meanwhile, Mark Daigneault of the Thunder has led his team to an impressive 64-12 record, with a chance to reach 70 wins. Despite this, his Coach of the Year consideration seems less prominent.
A team president questioned the lack of attention for Daigneault, considering the Thunder`s potential 70-win season.
