Post NBA beat reporters Mark Burman and Brian Lewis, along with columnist Mike Vaccaro, break their picks for this season’s NBA awards:
MVP
Mark Burman: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets – The Nuggets continued to win big in the West despite Jamal Murray’s season-ending injury – a credit to Jokic’s greatness. He is a bull from the inside, a sharpshooter, and also a brilliant passer and rebounder. Jokic’s numbers speak for themselves: 26.5 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 56.4 percent from the field, 3 to 39.8. Oh, and he has played all 69 games.
Brian Lewis: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets – Jokic wins first in shares, VORP and plus-minus, and is flirting with a 30-point triple-double as a center. He consented to Joel Embiid, Stephen Curry and James Harden.
Mike Vaccaro: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets – There is no more enjoyable player to watch in the NBA right now. So unconventional in so many ways and yet so good – especially since Jamal Murray went down.
Defensive player of the year
Mark Burman: Ben Simmons, 76ers – Rudy Gobert has already won it twice, so it’s time for new blood. Versatile perimeter defense is more important than rim protection, and Simmons can protect 1 to 4. Deflection, theft, rebellion – he holds the key to the Sixers’ top-order defense.
Brian Lewis: Rudy Gobert, Jazz – Ben Simmons is the best perimeter defender, but Gobert is the best defender, period. He is entitled to the award for the third time, leading the NBA in blocks, defensive boards and defensive win shares.
Mike Vaccaro: Rudy Gobert, Jezu – The man who makes the team that has made the NBA’s best record for almost every minute of the season is a strength, especially now.
Coach of the year
Mark Burman: Tom Thibodo, Knicks – I was the first to write it when the Knicks were just 18–17 that Thibodo qualified for favorites Quinn Snyder and Doc Rivers because Utah and Philadelphia, respectively, have been consistently solid. The Knicks coach, AU contraire, reversed seven seasons of misery with a star-less roster. Suns coach Monty Williams is in second place, but Thebes did not shock Chris Paul in the off-season. Thebes received Nerlens Noel.
Brian Lewis: Monty Williams, Sunso – Tom Thibodeau is vying for the second COY Award 10 years after his first, and Quinn Snyder has directed Starless Jazz for a great season. But Williams won a close.
Mike Vaccaro: Tom Thibodo, Knicks – Full respect to Monty Williams, who has Chris Paul on the floor to serve as his coach and whose team has ended the bubble on a roll, but Thibodeau is a prodigy for the Knicks Has been a transformational force.
rookie of the Year
Mark Burman: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves – It’s all but a toss between Edwards (19 ppg) and the Hornets’ point guard LaMello Ball (15.8 ppg). Edwards gave the ball the best in average scoring, but the ball’s shooting percentage and assists per game are high. They are both future All-Stars, but Edwards has played 69 games, Ball 48. Credit ball for bouncing back from his wrist injury, but I’ll go with the guy who played 21 more games.
Brian Lewis: Lamello Ball, Hornets – On March 21, a wrist injury to the ball opened the door for Anthony Edwards. But Ball – averaging 15.8 points, 6.2 assists and six boards – is the rare rogue that really affects the win.
Mike Vaccaro: Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves – Edwards has lived up to his advanced billing and his position as the No. 1-overall pick, and has offered a building block in Minnesota and perhaps the lure of keeping Carl-Anthony Town in the city.
Sixth man of the year
Mark Burman: Jordan Clarkson, Jezu – Alec Berks of The Knicks gave Jordan Clarkson a little run for his money before receiving COVID-19 last month. Clarkson is averaging 18.2 points as Utah’s second leading scorer, despite averaging 26 minutes.
Brian Lewis: Jordan Clarkson, Jezu – Clarkson added punch off benches and some free-wheeling style to Quinn Snyder’s Stoic system. He is airing Lou Williams at his best, closing out tight games.
Mike Vaccaro: Jordan Clarkson, Jezu – Maybe if Derrick Rose had been missing one all year, he would have been in negotiations, but it would still be difficult to make a case against Clarkson, who is the current standard-bearer for the role at the moment.
most improved Player
Mark Burman: Julius Randall, Knicks – Some outlets surprisingly cited Jeremy Grant and Christian Wood as legitimate candidates. Does winning and staying healthy ever matter? Randall should be the unanimous pick on his wide shoulders to lead the Knicks to the playoffs. Iron Man is a one-night triple-double threat, who often looks like LeBron James.
Brian Lewis: Julius Randall, Nix – Jeremy Grant and rising star Michael Porter Jr. are viable candidates. But for the first time the All-Star has stepped up his game and brought the Knicks back to the playoffs.
Mike Vaccaro: Julius Randall, Knicks – If it is not unanimous, then recalculation should be done. Randall is simply a better player across the board this year, and the Knicks have reaped those benefits from day one.
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