MVP (Most Valuable Player):
Official Pick: Joel Embiid, C (PHI) Falcon Flash Pick: Unchanged
After two consecutive years of finishing number two to Nikola Jokic, Embiid has finally broken through and won his first MVP award. The star center has come under fire recently for some lackluster playoff performances in Philadelphia’s second round elimination to the Boston Celtics, leading many to question his credentials for the award and to serenade the praises of the electric Nikola Jokic of the Nuggets instead. However, it is important to note that the MVP is a regular season award (as well as all of the following awards), and Embiid’s regular season was one for the ages, as he recorded a scoring title and led the 76ers to a top three record in the NBA. Ultimately, Jokic versus Embiid will always be far more of a debate over semantics, and what type of basketball fan one is, but everyone can agree that both players are very deserving of the award.
DPOY (Defensive Player of the Year):
Official Pick: Jaren Jackson Jr., F (MEM) Falcon Flash Pick: Brook Lopez, C (MIL)
“Bropez” may be a surprising candidate for our re-pick of this award upon first glance, but a closer look at his impact and statistics will shift expectations. He finished the year third in the league in blocks per game with a defensive rating of 109, but statistics do not capture his impact effectively. Lopez was the linchpin of Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer’s “drop” defense, and his presence was huge in helping Milwaukee grab the most rebounds in the league and hold their opponents to the second-lowest field goal percentage.
Rookie of the Year:
Official Pick: Paolo Banchero, F (ORL) Falcon Flash Pick: Unchanged
As the number one pick in the Draft this year, Banchero was the understandable favorite coming into this season, but it is safe to say that no one expected him to be quite this good. He averaged 20 points per game on over 40 percent shooting from the field, numbers that most players will never reach in their careers. The athletic forward also grew in his playmaking and defensive abilities over the course of the season, and has drawn early comparisons to Julius Randle, Jimmy Butler, and even Lebron James. The Magic are surely excited for what their Banchero-led future will look like past this promising season.
MIP (Most Improved Player):
Official Pick: Lauri Markkanen, F (UTA) Falcon Flash Pick: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G (OKC)
While Markkanen made a huge leap coming into this season from a role player to the centerpiece of the Utah Jazz, Gilgeous-Alexander’s leap was just as, if not probably more, impressive. After joining Oklahoma City in the aftermath of the colossal Paul George trade in 2019, Gilgeous-Alexander has slowly grown into his role as the Thunder’s centerpiece, continually making great strides in each year, despite his team’s lack of success. This year, though, both he and OKC made their greatest leap yet. The Thunder improved their win count by 16 and made the playoffs, and Gilgeous-Alexander took a huge leap from good to great, improving his points per game total to 31.4 from 24.5 while upping his field goal percentage from 45.3 to 51.
Coach of the Year:
Official Pick: Mike Brown (SAC) Falcon Flash Pick: Unchanged
After leaving his assistant coaching position with the Golden State Warriors to become the head man for their upstate rivals, the expectation for Brown this year from most was simply a small amount of progress. Well, it is safe to say that he has exceeded that this year by earning the Kings their first playoff appearance in sixteen years. Sacramento had the top offense in the league this year behind MVP candidate Domantas Sabonis, and even earned the third seed in the Western Conference before falling in seven games to Brown’s old team. Kings fans are grateful to Brown for revitalizing their team, and finally excited for the present era of basketball for the first time in a while.
Clutch Player of the Year:
Official Pick: De’Aaron Fox, G (SAC) Falcon Flash Pick: Jimmy Butler, F (MIA)
If this was a playoff award, there is no question that “Himmy Butler” would have won in a landslide. Even in the regular season, though, he showed signs of the final form that would come in the playoffs this season. He has made clutch shot after clutch shot for the entirety of the season, carrying the often-sluggish Heat when they needed it most. His Heat also have twenty-four wins in games decided by five points or less, six more than any other team (Statmuse.com).
(All statistics shown are from espn.com unless otherwise stated)