MVP, DPOY, ROY and much more!
What’s an NBA season without some predictions? Who is set to boost their resume with accolades and glory? Most importantly, will any member of the Houston Rockets join the league’s elite?
All-NBA Teams
First Team
Luka Doncic
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Jayson Tatum
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nikola Jokic
Second Team
Tyrese Haliburton
Anthony Edwards
Kevin Durant
Anthony Davis
Victor Wembanyama
Third Team
Steph Curry
Devin Booker
Jalen Brunson
Jaylen Brown
LeBron James
Reasoning: First Team goes chalk from last year’s results, but Edwards inches closer to taking someone’s spot. With spots being position-less these days, anything is possible. Even at their advanced amount of age/minutes, the big three of Curry, Durant and James will still secure a spot as long as they don’t fall off a cliff.
It’s hard imagining Brunson replicating his numbers with all of the additions the New York Knicks brought in this offseason, but NY bias and team success means that someone will make the team. The biggest movers into this prestigious 15 are Finals MVP and 2023-24 snub, Jaylen Brown, and Big Vic (more on him later).
All-Defense Teams
First Team
Victory Wembanyama
Bam Adebayo
Rudy Gobert
Jalen Suggs
Anthony Davis
Second Team
Dillon Brooks
Herb Jones
Jaden McDaniels
Chet Holmgren
Derrick White
Reasoning: Defense in general is skewed towards favoring the big men so we’re bound to see at least four bigs make first team. Suggs swaps out with Jones on the first team as the New Orleans lineup is super-talented, but also overloaded on the wing. Also, Willie Green said Jones is starting at Center this year???
Holmgren has been viewed as someone with upside on this side of the ball so he gets the nod over his teammates, Alex Caruso and Lu Dort. As for your Rockets, Brooks is no stranger to All-Defense and he figures as the best candidate on a Houston unit that I believe will be near the top of the rankings.
All-Rookie Teams
First Team
Zach Edey
Reed Sheppard
Zaccharie Risacher
Stephon Castle
Donovan Clingan
Second Team
Alex Sarr
Dalton Knecht
Tidjane Salaun
Tyler Kolek
Kel’el Ware
Reasoning: Rookie teams are largely dependent on opportunity and I think all of these guys will play pivotal roles on their teams this season. Sheppard already seems to have trust from Ime Udoka which is huge for his ability to contribute.
The biggest surprise on either team may be Kolek. Why? The Knicks’ bench isn’t the deepest so someone between Kolek or Pacome Dadiet is going to get a shot.
MVP
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Reasoning: SGA is viewed as a top two or three candidate on most sites and figures to be on the best regular season team out West. Last year’s winner, Jokic, makes a compelling case, but I imagine it will be hard for voters to crown him as a four-time winner without another spectacular postseason — even if I think the perception of postseason play shouldn’t factor into regular season awards. Doncic is the leading contender, but I think he and Tatum will have to wait another year.
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama
Reasoning: He’s going to win, just accept it. If it’s not this year then it will be next year. I could blame the media narrative that has already pushed for this…but then I watch him play and I can’t make an argument against it.
Rookie of the Year
Zach Edey
Reasoning: I really wanted to go with the hometown guy here in Sheppard, but I don’t think any rookie will have as much of a green light as the reigning two-time NCAA player of the year. Risacher also makes a great case, but I’ll go with the favorite here.
Sixth Man of the Year
Malik Monk
Reasoning: Siding with another favorite here. I wanted to go with Naz Reid, but the addition of Donte DiVincenzo could split votes among the two Wolves. Norm Powell would have been my other pick, but he could start too many games with Kawhi Leonard’s perpetual knee problems.
Most Improved Player
Keyonte George
Reasoning: I’ve grown to hate this award. Wembanyama is the overwhelming favorite and while I’m sure there’s a case that he will technically be the most improved player, doesn’t it feel silly giving this award to the first overall pick and rookie of the year from a year ago? This award should be for someone that rises above the lack of expectations for them i.e. Aaron Brooks in 2009-10.
Wemby is going to win this award, but I want to make an actual pick at this so I’m going with George. He showed flashes last year in Utah while he’s still raw to running point. Utah won’t be good this year, but a substantial jump from George would meet my criteria for the award.
Coach of the Year
Joe Mazzulla
Reasoning: Udoka looms as a great candidate for this award, but I ultimately think Mazzulla wins in somewhat of a makeup call. Mark Daigneault was a deserving winner last year for OKC, but the Boston Celtics were far and away the best team all throughout 2023-24. Even though it’s only been two years, Mazzulla has the highest winning percentage of all-time and Boston will probably win 60-plus games again this year.