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The NBA regular season is over, and it is time to predict who wins the regular season awards (MVP, Rookie of the Year, Most Improved, etc.), All NBA, All Defensive, All Rookie teams plus some fun and nerdy alternative awards. So, let us get into it with the awards but here were my preseason choices that in some cases I was completely off (laughs).
My Preseason Choices
MVP- Luka Doncic (Mavs)
Rookie of the Year- Victor Wembanyama(Spurs)
Defensive Player of the Year- Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Sixth Man of the Year- Chris Paul (Warriors)
Most Improved Player- Cade Cunningham (Pistons)
Coach of the Year- Mark Daigneault(Thunder)
MVP
Nominees: Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Winner: Luka Doncic
Honestly, I am a huge fan of all three finalists and will not be upset regardless of who wins between these superstars. Jokic of course lead and carried the defending champs all season with Jamal Murray missing tons of time, SGA lead a promising turnaround season and hung with the very best, but Doncic’s play and stat line was incredible and salvage what looked like a doomed season until January or February which went to another level making Dallas a top 4 seed in the chaotic western conference. So, hopefully third time is the charm here with my preseason choice for MVP and Doncic wins the hardware.
Rookie of the Year
Nominees: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Brandon Miller (Hornets)
Winner: Victor Wembanyama
At the start of the season, it looked like Chet Holmgren was going to win this award shocking everyone, but Wembanyama picked it up throughout the season especially the second half which absolutely secured this award for Wemby. Brandon Miller certainly was the bright spot of the Hornets season, Chet is the defensive piece for the number one team in the west, but Wemby was absolutely something we never have seen and if this is a preview of things to come the NBA is in big trouble.
Defensive Player of the Year
Nominees: Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves), Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), Herb Jones (Pelicans), Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Winner: Rudy Gobert
This was legit toss up between the two French giants because Wembanyama’s defensive presence was undeniable despite being on a bad team, but Gobert wins DPOY being the driving force for the best defensive team in the league simple as that, all due respect to Herb Jones and AD.
Sixth Man of the Year
Nominees: Naz Reid (Timberwolves), Malik Monk (Kings), Norman Powell (Clippers)
Winner: Naz Reid
My preseason pick was Chris Paul but that was a complete failure (laughs) but as great as Malik Monk was in that position and was the odds-on favorite to win it, but the Timberwolves has a hidden gem in big man Naz Reid. Reid was exceptional all season and stepped into the starting rotation when it was needed with Karl-Anthony Towns injury, he without question is huge part of the success we have seen this season in Minnesota.
Most Improved Player
Nominees: Coby White (Bulls), Tyrese Maxey (76ers), Jonathan Kuminga (Warriors)
Winner: Coby White
This award could have potentially been my preseason choice of Cade Cunningham but unfortunately the Pistons complete embarrassment this season sunk his chances. Throughout the year it seemed like Maxey was the runaway choice until Coby White for the Chicago Bulls surpass the low expectations he had to become a legitimate starting point guard, so even with the excellent seasons from Maxey and Kuminga but White should win this award soundly.
Coach of the Year
Nominees: Mark Daigneault (Thunder), Joe Mazzula (Celtics), Chris Finch (Timberwolves), Ime Udoka (Rockets), Tom Thibodeau (Knicks)
Winner: Mark Daigneault
If one of my preseason picks were going to be right besides rookie of the year it should be this award with Thunder head coach Mark Daigneault. One of the best turnarounds in recent history and being one of the youngest teams to be a number one seed and absolutely deserves this award. Yes Joe Mazzula coaches the team with the best record with the Celtics, Chris Finch put together the best defensive team this season, Udoka actually turned a Rockets team around having them ahead of schedule, but Daigneault was just a tier above the rest.
Now here are my All-NBA, All-Defensive, All Rookie teams selections that one day hopefully I can put on a ballot. My approach to these teams is to 1) Present the best fifteen players, ten best defensive and rookie players for the season and 2) Despite its “positionless” now I refuse to do that and did my best to make it an actual team, so we will start with the all-NBA teams.
First Team All-NBA
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Luka Doncic (Mavericks)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Second Team All-NBA
Jalen Brunson (Knicks)
Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves)
Kawhi Leonard (Clippers)
Kevin Durant (Suns)
Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Third Team All-NBA
Stephen Curry (Warriors)
LeBron James (Lakers)
Jaylen Brown (Celtics)
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)
Paul George (Clippers)
Honorable Mentions: Devin Booker, Tyrese Haliburton, Domantas Sabonis, Paolo Banchero, Tyrese Maxey, Jalen Williams, Victor Wembanyama, Zion Williamson
This season is so deep talent wise making these teams challenging, Booker and Haliburton absolutely deserving to be on these teams, so I decided to split the difference and went with Paul George for the final spot.
All-Defensive Teams
First Team
Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Herb Jones (Pelicans)
Jalen Suggs (Magic)
Alex Caruso (Bulls)
Second Team
Bam Adebayo (Heat)
Anthony Davis (Lakers)
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
Derrick White (Celtics)
Jrue Holiday (Celtics)
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All Rookie Teams
First Team
Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Chet Holmgren (Thunder)
Brandon Miller (Hornets)
Jaime Jaquez Jr (Heat)
Keyonte George (Jazz)
Second Team
Brandin Podziemski (Warriors)
Dereck Lively (Mavericks)
Cason Wallace (Thunder)
Trayce Jackson-Davis (Warriors)
GG Jackson (Grizzlies)
Honorable Mentions: Scoot Henderson (Trailblazers), Amen Thompson (Rockets), Ausar Thompson (Pistons)
Back to some more awards here but they are unique, I decided to try and create some alternate awards that hopefully will be legitimate but also have not been thought of already for basketball nerds like me (laughs) so here are these interesting awards.
Most Pleasant Surprise
Nominees: The In-season Tournament, Jaylen Brown, Kyrie Irving
Winner: Kyrie Irving
Kyrie Irving is the first winner of this award because after these last few years of Irving and his shenanigans this season has been a complete shock for me with Irving not being a distraction but vital to the Mavs and their success making them a threat this postseason so congratulations Kyrie!
NBA League Pass MVP (Nightly must-see player on League Pass)
Nominees: Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Anthony Edwards
Winner: Nikola Jokic
He may win the MVP so why not add some more hardware for the Joker to collect with this award. Jokic is without question a must watch player regardless of if the Nuggets are on national TV or not whether you like Jokic or not you have respect and appreciate his style play which is entertaining along with successful.
The Dr. J Award (Best Highlight/Posterizing Player)
Nominees: Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, Jalen Green
Winner: Anthony Edwards
This was a runaway choice for this award with Anthony Edwards winning this easily, Jalen Green certainly had some moments but Edwards dunk on Utah’s John Collins is easily the most exciting play of the season and is our winner.
Best Role Player (Player who plays 20 minutes or less)
Nominees: Dante Exam (Mavericks), Andre Drummond (Bulls), TJ McConnell (Pacers), Jonathan Issac (Magic)
Winner: Jonathan Issac
This season Jonathan Issac took a step in the right direction to redeeming his career from being a complete joke to defensive menace that helps the Magic becomes a top four seed in the eastern conference which is reason enough for Issac to win this award.
Worst Coach
Nominees: Monty Williams (Pistons), Wes Unseld Jr (Wizards), Adrian Griffin (Former Bucks coach), JB Bickerstaff (Cavs)
Winner: Monty Williams
This award should go to Adrian Griffin since he did not make it to 2024 as the Bucks coach and Bickerstaff should be in the running because he has managed a fairly talent Cavs team, but the winner of this award is Monty Williams. Williams won this award because of the complete disaster this season was for Detroit especially with the incredible young talent he had but did not use the best and being the highest paid coach certainly was embarrassing.
The Black Hole Sun Award (Biggest Ball hog)
Nominees: Cam Thomas (Nets), Michael Porter Jr (Nuggets), Jordan Poole (Wizards)
Winner: Jordan Poole
All the nominees were deserving of the prestigious award but Jordan Poole falling off the cliff on a Wizards team he was supposed to be the primary option ended being the third option if you want to be nice about it. Since his rise from the finals in 2022 and his last season in Golden State, Poole is certainly not as valued as he was before and seems to be content with that.
Billy Hoyle Memorial Award (Best White American Player)
Nominees: Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Tyler Herro (Heat), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Donte DiVincenzo (Knicks)
Winner: Chet Holmgren
In honor of the great Billy Hoyle from White Man Can’t Jump this award is meant to be lighthearted and gives some props to the white American hoopers that not only exist in 2024 but also are real deal talent. So, the inaugural winner is without question Chet Holmgren who hit the ground running with his career, defensive presence, and Unicorn status while being a big piece of this successful Thunder season.
The Outta Nowhere Team Award
Nominees: Pacers, Thunder, Magic, Timberwolves
Winner: Thunder
The Pacers at the start looked like the winner of this award while the Magic and Timberwolves took some big steps but obviously Oklahoma City is the winner here being the youngest team to be a #1 seed and be a legitimate contender in the NBA this year and for seasons going forward.
Please Change This Rule Award
Nominees: The 65-Game Eligibility rule for awards, all-NBA teams that effect player’s potential to earn max contracts, Positionless ballots for All-NBA teams, Reviews on block/charge calls, Instant replay in general
Winner: ALL THE ABOVE!
This award and the nominees are totally deserving of this, and need changes this summer! While I like the 65-game threshold rule keeping players accountable to play games but having that effect players potential earning power is messed up and needs correction. The positionless ballots for all-NBA teams is just disrespectful to history of the NBA just to not offend anybody, look back and see how many times Wilt and Russell, Magic and Isaish, Duncan/Garnett/Dirk/CWebb were slighted if not left off those teams throughout their hall of fame careers so please, PLEASE scrap this concept ASAP.
I love the officiating change in the second half of season was refreshing but hopefully this offseason they will just go full throttle and get rid of reviewing blocking and charging calls because it absolutely kills the game on which hurts the game from professional to pickup so cut out whining, arguing, and nonsense totally by making a ref’s call not challenged to that degree ever again. With instant replay in general they need to redo the whole thing giving coaches 1 replay to use in the final minutes of a game, but officials can review violations at halftime and end of games (Shot clock, goaltending, foot on the line, etc.) if a basket was ruled a 2 instead of a 3 or vice versa correct the call in a quicker fashion to keep the energy of the game going and halting the game entirely.
Those are my awards and teams but please share your choices, your award ideas, if you agree or disagree with these awards in the comment section (Do not spam it up) or on the X/Twitter and Facebook post of this article and enjoy!