By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-01-29 10:45:27
从现在到常规赛结束，我们将每周审视NBA各大个人奖项的竞争格局。上周，在初步分析了BetMGM的赔率后，我们发布了自己的榜单。本周，让我们先从年度最佳防守球员（DPOY）的角逐开始。
以下是本次奖项观察的背景说明：自2019年以来，我一直是受邀参与年度奖项评选的媒体成员之一。这是一份我非常珍视的荣誉，我努力确保选出我认为最当之无愧的球员。由于投票是公开的，我也不希望因为投出离谱的一票而沦为笑柄，被网友们永远“鞭尸”。我认为这份分析很好地反映了我的思考/研究，以及The Athletic其他作者和读者的观点。
与网络上所有类型的排名和观点一样，我确信这篇文章会收获认同与握手，而非叫骂与指责。如果您有不同意见，请在评论区留言。首先，我们把话说在前面：
- 是的，我看了比赛。
- 是的，我研究了数据。
- 不，我不讨厌那位球员。
- 不，我不讨厌那支球队。
- 如果您有不同意见并想对我开火，请便。只是请尽量提出有理有据的观点。我对您对自己喜爱球员或球队的偏见兴趣不大，但我非常乐意了解我可能错过或考虑不足的视角。对于这些奖项的评选，我主张尽可能多地获取信息和观点。
- 在每个奖项板块，我都会给出我的评选标准，其中综合了我的个人想法以及我对该奖项历史投票倾向的理解。
- 别忘了65场规则！单赛季出场未满65场的球员将没有资格参评MVP、年度最佳防守球员或最快进步球员。
让我们进入正题。（赔率和数据截至周三比赛前。）
年度最佳防守球员
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有失去评选资格风险的球员： 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺队（已缺席14场）| 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)，洛杉矶快船队（已缺席13场）
已失去评选资格的球员： 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)，达拉斯独行侠队（已缺席超过17场）
两名荣誉提名： 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，明尼苏达森林狼队 | 阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)，休斯顿火箭队
3. 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙队（赔率+5000，此前未上榜）
我曾一度纠结是否该将汤普森移出前三，但巴恩斯本赛季的表现值得这份肯定。猛龙队拥有联盟第五的防守效率，而巴恩斯是其中至关重要的一环。这也是他们能够跻身东部第二号种子争夺行列的重要原因。巴恩斯和球队的整体防守日复一日地为这支队伍注入能量。他场均贡献1.5次封盖和1.3次抢断。而且像这样决定比赛胜负的封盖集锦无疑为他的评选增添了砝码，这次他盖掉了切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren) 的投篮。
2. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，俄克拉荷马城雷霆队（赔率-120，此前为荣誉提名）
我非常喜欢我的同事弗雷德·卡茨 (Fred Katz) 那篇关于霍姆格伦防守的报道。我不认为霍姆格伦是本赛季他球队中最好的防守球员。我会说卢·多尔特 (Lu Dort) 或亚历克斯·卡鲁索 (Alex Caruso) 更好/更有影响力。卡森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace) 在持球点防守上制造的混乱也让他有理由入选。但霍姆格伦的护筐能力确实为队友们提供了更具侵略性的防守资本。雷霆队的很多防守策略都建立在这种压迫式持球防守上，因为他们相信自己拥有可靠的后线支援。霍姆格伦感觉上是默认的博彩热门，因为雷霆的防守太出色了，但这或许也无可厚非。他个人的防守能力也极为出色，所以这个奖项不会只是颁给那个“高个子”而已。他真的能锁死对手。
1. 文班亚马（赔率+250）
关于文班亚马赢得这个奖项，我唯一的疑问是他是否能满足参评资格。我想象这就是他没能成为博彩最大热门的原因。文班亚马显然是本赛季NBA中最具影响力的防守者。也许马刺队作为一支防守型球队的整体进步会对他有点影响？当他在场时，他们是NBA防守最好的球队（防守效率104.6）。把他放在板凳上或让他因伤缺阵，马刺的防守效率就掉到联盟第13位（113.9）。几周前，当文班不在场时，马刺的防守大概只能排在联盟第18或19位。我们也看到文班的封盖数有所减少。在膝盖受伤前的12场比赛里，他场均贡献3.6次封盖。自从复出后，这个数据降到了场均2.1次。他是否需要一个惊人的封盖数才能拿下这个奖项？还是说，只要能满足参评资格就足够了？
最有价值球员 (MVP)
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有失去评选资格风险的球员： 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，丹佛掘金队（已缺席14场）| 文班亚马 | 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)，密尔沃基雄鹿队（已缺席15场）| 斯蒂芬·库里 (Steph Curry)，金州勇士队（已缺席11场）
五名荣誉提名： 凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)，休斯顿火箭队 | 库里 | 文班亚马 | 安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)，明尼苏达森林狼队 | 杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯队
5. 泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)，费城76人队（赔率+8000，此前为荣誉提名）
森林狼队近来有些挣扎，所以爱德华兹的排名有所下滑。这给了我们一个机会来重点关注马克西，他现在是费城的领军人物。人人都各司其职，乔尔·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 作为马克西身边的二当家也打得风生水起。马克西每晚为76人队贡献29.2分、6.8次助攻、4.8个篮板和2.0次抢断，真实命中率高达59.4%。没有他在场时，76人队就无法得分，他的影响力几乎体现在每一个回合中。
4. 凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)，底特律活塞队（赔率+1000，此前排名第三）
坎宁安在一月份的投篮手感相当挣扎，本月命中率仅为41.6%。这足以让他的排名略有下降。是的，他是东部最佳球队中的最佳球员，但“东部最佳球队”这个头衔目前多少有点名不副实。坎宁安的表现一直很出色，但在MVP的讨论中，正是这种细节上的吹毛求疵决定了你在前五榜单上的升降。我们知道他还能切换到更高的竞技档位。
3. 卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić)，洛杉矶湖人队（赔率+900，此前排名第五）
也许我上周把东契奇排得太低了。这支湖人队（与西部其他球队相比）实际上并没有那么强，而他却带领球队取得了超过50%胜率11场的战绩，并且正在争夺季后赛首轮的主场优势。他很多时候是在奥斯汀·里夫斯 (Austin Reaves) 缺阵的情况下做到这些的，尽管里夫斯本周已经复出。作为一支偏重进攻的球队，湖人队在东契奇不在场时就无法得分。他每晚贡献33.8分、8.8次助攻和7.8个篮板，并且罚球数领跑全联盟，这给对手带来了巨大的压力。
2. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，波士顿凯尔特人队（赔率+2200）
随着凯尔特人队稳稳地冲击（并且目前占据）东部第二的种子席位，很难想象还有比布朗更有说服力的MVP候选人（除了本榜单的第一名）。当他在场时，凯尔特人队是联盟的顶级进攻强队，而且在防守端，他大多数时候都在防守对方的最佳球员。他场均得分接近30分（29.6分），并且他的效率（57.6%的真实命中率）也持续高于其生涯平均水平（57.1%）。也许唯一可能动摇他这个位置的因素是杰森·塔图姆 (Jayson Tatum) 的回归，那会让布朗打得更轻松。
1. 谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)，雷霆队（赔率-450）
吉尔杰斯-亚历山大仍然是MVP竞争中的领跑者，而尼古拉·约基奇看起来很快将失去参评资格。我认为没有人能真正匹敌约基奇本赛季的表现，但无论如何，吉尔杰斯-亚历山大都提出了一个强有力的竞争理由。如果他今年获奖，SGA将成为自2005年和2006年史蒂夫·纳什 (Steve Nash) 赢得MVP以来，第六位在首次获奖后便实现蝉联的MVP。勒布朗·詹姆斯 (LeBron James)、斯蒂芬·库里、扬尼斯·阿德托昆博和约基奇也都在首次获得MVP后成功卫冕。
年度最佳新秀
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两名荣誉提名： 塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)，孟菲斯灰熊队 | 德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕队
3. VJ·埃奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，76人队（赔率+2500）
2. 康·克努普尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂队（赔率+375）
1. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，独行侠队（赔率-450）
我的年度最佳新秀排名目前没有任何变化。我仍然认为弗拉格会赢得该奖项，尽管克努普尔的表现和黄蜂队的崛起无疑给这位独行侠新秀带来了一些压力。埃奇库姆的表现也堪称惊艳，在很多赛季他都会是领跑的候选人。我确实在想，克努普尔或埃奇库姆需要做到什么程度才能超越弗拉格的地位。他成为热门候选人，有多少是基于品牌知名度？有多少是基于关键时刻的表现？又有多少仅仅是因为他完全配得上这个奖项？叙事在历年的最佳新秀讨论中占据了重要因素，但这并非全部。
本月早些时候在达拉斯，库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 突破 VJ·埃奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe) 的防守上篮。(Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
年度最佳第六人
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两名荣誉提名： 科林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie)，菲尼克斯太阳队 | 小海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.)，迈阿密热火队
3. 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，马刺队（赔率+450，此前为荣誉提名）
约翰逊的投篮命中率相当可观。他场均得到13.5分，投篮命中率和三分命中率分别高达55.5%和39.9%。他此前的三分命中率远超40%，但最近外线手感有些回落。他的篮板球也抢得很好，场均5.9个。他在第四节对球队的贡献巨大，帮助球队终结了许多比赛。如果他赛季末的投篮命中率能保持在55%以上，并且三分命中率重回40%以上，那种级别的效率将难以被忽视。
2. 纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，明尼苏达森林狼队（赔率+250，此前排名第二）
我曾考虑过将里德的排名调低，以便让其他球员上榜，但他在一月份的表现堪称火热。整个赛季，他场均贡献14.3分和6.3个篮板，投篮三项命中率为47.1%/39.0%/76.1%。到了一月份，他的数据提升至场均15.0分和6.4个篮板，投篮三项命中率为53.6%/47.8%/66.7%。这相当于真实命中率从大约58%飙升至66.2%。森林狼队需要他从替补席上提供火力，而他也精准地做到了这一点。
1. 阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)，雷霆队（赔率+550）
尽管他不是博彩赔率上的热门，但米切尔至今仍是我心目中的最佳第六人首选。他无缝融入了雷霆队的角色，在替补席上打出了极为出色的篮球。上赛季他几乎进不了轮换阵容，而现在他已是全联盟替补席上的主要得分手之一。当SGA不在场时，球队的进攻火力会大幅下滑，但有米切尔在场时则能保持相当稳定。这很大程度上得益于他能与这位MVP相辅相成，并肩作战。他在攻防两端的表现都非常出色。
年度最佳教练
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两名荣誉提名： J.B.·比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，活塞队 | 达尔科·拉贾科维奇 (Darko Rajaković)，猛龙队
3. 米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson)，马刺队（赔率+425，此前为荣誉提名）
如果马刺队最终成为西部第二号种子，这个奖项可能就非约翰逊莫属了。在他接替格雷格·波波维奇 (Gregg Popovich) 的第一个完整赛季里，约翰逊在马刺队的许多传统理念之上进行了提升。
2. 乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott)，太阳队（赔率+450，此前排名第一）
如果我们要比较期望与现实，那么太阳队的现实表现是连最铁杆的太阳球迷都无法预料到的。奥特在攻防两端都建立起了卓越的球队文化。
1. 乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)，凯尔特人队（赔率+500，此前排名第二）
在失去了塔图姆（暂时）、克里斯塔普斯·波尔津吉斯 (Kristaps Porziņģis)、艾尔·霍福德 (Al Horford)、朱·霍勒迪 (Jrue Holiday) 和卢克·科内特 (Luke Kornet) 的情况下，凯尔特人队还能位居东部第二，这实在是令人印象深刻。马祖拉不是赔率上的热门，但他理应是。
最快进步球员
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有失去评选资格风险的球员： 文班亚马
两名荣誉提名： 安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black)，奥兰多魔术队 | 尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)，亚特兰大老鹰队
3. 佩顿·沃特森 (Peyton Watson)，掘金队（赔率+5000）
2. 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者队（赔率-175）
1. 基昂特·乔治 (Keyonte George)，犹他爵士队（赔率+375）
和上周的排名一样。我坚信乔治是进步最快的球员。他从一个几乎无法上场的球员，成长为今年秋天有资格获得续约大合同的核心力量。这种进步是否比阿夫迪亚那种从一个相当不错的角色球员成长为全明星级别球员的赛季更令人印象深刻？我可能会被说服布莱克也同样有竞争力。我现在没有把杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson) 放入我的投票名单，是因为我觉得我们上赛季在他受伤前就看到了他完全一样的进步。
由生成式人工智能翻译，译文内容可能不准确或不完整，以原文为准。
点击查看原文：Scottie Barnes enters Defensive Player of the Year race: NBA Awards Watch
Scottie Barnes enters Defensive Player of the Year race: NBA Awards Watch
Each week through the end of the regular season, we’ll check in on where I think the major individual awards races stand. Last week, we brought our own rankings after initially analyzing the BetMGM odds. Let’s start this week by checking in on the Defensive Player of the Year race first.
Here’s how the Awards Watch shakes out: Since 2019, I have been one of the media members selected to vote on the annual awards. It’s an honor that I take very seriously, as I strive to select the players I believe are most deserving. With it being public, I also don’t want to end up getting meme’d to eternity for casting a ridiculous vote. I like this analysis is a pretty good gauge of my thoughts/research and those opinions submitted by other writers and readers of The Athletic.
As is the case with all types of rankings and opinions on the internet, I’m sure this will be met with agreements and handshakes rather than yelling and name-calling. If you have a differing opinion, drop those in the comments. Let’s get this out of the way first:
- Yes, I watch the games.
- Yes, I have looked at the numbers.
- No, I don’t hate that player.
- No, I don’t hate that team.
- If you have a differing opinion and want to roast me, by all means, have at it. Just try to have a point that makes sense. I’m less interested in your bias toward your favorite player or team, but I am very interested in a possible perspective that I have missed or haven’t considered enough. I’m all about acquiring as much information and as many opinions as possible for these awards.
- With each award section, I’m going to give my criteria for how it should be considered while taking my thoughts and what I feel the award has historically emphasized in voting into consideration.
- Don’t forget the 65-game rule! Players who don’t get to 65 games in a season are not eligible for MVP, Defensive Player of the Year or Most Improved Player.
Let’s get into it. (Odds and stats are entering Wednesday’s games.)
Defensive Player of the Year
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On-track to be ineligible: Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (missed 14 games) | Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (missed 13 games)
Ineligible: Anthony Davis, Dallas Mavericks (missed more than 17 games)
Two honorable mentions: Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves | Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
3. Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors (+5000 to win, previously unmentioned)
I struggled taking Thompson out of the top three momentarily, but Barnes deserves some consideration for the season he’s having. The Raptors have the fifth-best defense in basketball, and Barnes is a massive part of that. It’s a big reason they’re in the mix for the second seed in the Eastern Conference standings. Barnes and the team defense have fueled this team night in and night out. He is averaging 1.5 blocks and 1.3 steals per game. And highlights like this game-saving block on Chet Holmgren definitely help the case.
2. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder (-120 to win, previously honorable mention)
I really enjoyed my colleague Fred Katz’s story speaking to Holmgren about some of his defense. I don’t think Holmgren has been the best defensive player on his team this season. I’d say Lu Dort or Alex Caruso are better/more impactful. There’s a case for Cason Wallace and the chaos he creates at the point of attack. But there is a case for Holmgren’s rim-protecting abilities allowing those guys to be more aggressive. A lot of the Thunder’s defense is built on that aggressiveness pressuring the ball because they believe they have backline help. Holmgren feels like the betting favorite out of default because OKC’s defense is so good, but maybe that’s fine. He’s incredible defensively on his own, so it’s not like it would be going to just the tall guy. He can really lock down.
1. Wembanyama (+250 to win)
The only question I have about Wembanyama winning this award is whether he’ll qualify for it. I would imagine that’s the reason he’s not the betting favorite. Wembanyama has so clearly been the most impactful defender in the NBA this season. Maybe the Spurs improving as a team defensively could hurt him a little? With him on the court, they’re the best defense in the NBA (104.6 rating). Put him on the bench or in street clothes, and the Spurs drop to 13th (113.9 rating). A few weeks ago, the Spurs would’ve been like 18th or 19th defensively without Wemby on the bench. We’re also seeing a lot fewer blocks for Wemby. He averaged 3.6 blocks per game in his first 12 games before the knee injury. Since his return, he’s down to 2.1 per game. Does he need a massive number of blocks to take this award? Or just be eligible?
MVP
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On-track to be ineligible: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (missed 14 games) | Wembanyama | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (missed 15) | Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (missed 11)
Five honorable mentions: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets | Curry | Wembanyama | Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves | Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
5. Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers (+8000 to win, previously honorable mention)
The Wolves have struggled a bit, so Edwards gets dropped. It gives us a chance to highlight Maxey, who is the lead guy in Philadelphia now. Everybody is falling in line, and Joel Embiid is thriving as the second guy alongside Maxey, who’s giving the Sixers 29.2 points, 6.8 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 2.0 steals a night with 59.4 percent true shooting. The Sixers can’t score without him on the floor, and his impact is felt on nearly every possession.
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+1000 to win, previously third)
Cunningham has had a rough January shooting the ball, making just 41.6 percent of his shots this month. It’s enough to give him a slight drop. Yes, he’s the best player on the best team in the East, but “best team in the East” is a little bit by default right now. Cunningham has been great, but this is the kind of nitpicking that moves you up and down the top-five list in MVP discussions. We know there is another gear he can find.
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers (+900 to win, previously fifth)
Maybe I had Dončić too low last week. This Lakers team isn’t actually all that good (in comparison to others in the West), and he has them 11 games over .500 and in the mix for home-court advantage in the first round. He’s done a lot of this without Austin Reaves, although he’s back this week. The Lakers, an offensive-minded team, can’t score without Dončić on the floor. Putting up 33.8 points, 8.8 assists and 7.8 rebounds every night and leading the league in free throws puts a ridiculous amount of pressure on the opponent.
2. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (+2200 to win)
With the Celtics firmly in the hunt for the No. 2 seed (and currently in possession of it), it’s hard to imagine a better MVP case (outside of No. 1 on this list) than Brown. The Celtics are an elite offense with him on the court, and he’s guarding the best player on the other end of the floor most of the time. He’s nearly averaging 30 points per game (29.6), and his efficiency (57.6 true shooting) remains above his career marks (57.1). Maybe the only thing that could derail his spot here is Jayson Tatum returning and making life easier for Brown.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Thunder (-450 to win)
Gilgeous-Alexander is still the leader in the clubhouse for MVP, with Nikola Jokić looking like he’ll be ineligible pretty soon. I don’t think anybody could have really hung with Jokić’s season, but Gilgeous-Alexander would’ve made a great case regardless. If he wins this year, SGA would be the sixth first-time MVP winner to go back-to-back since Steve Nash won his MVP awards in 2005 and 2006. LeBron James, Steph Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jokić also went back-to-back after their first MVP award.
Rookie of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
3. VJ Edgecombe, 76ers (+2500 to win)
2. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+375 to win)
1. Cooper Flagg, Mavericks (-450 to win)
I don’t have any changes with my ROY order right now. I’m still going with Flagg to win it, although Knueppel’s play and the Hornets surging definitely put some pressure on the Mavs rookie. Edgecombe has been spectacular and would be a leading candidate in a lot of seasons. I do wonder what it will take for Knueppel or Edgecombe to overcome Flagg’s status. How much of his being the favorite is the brand recognition? How much of it is the clutch play? How much is just that he outright deserves it? Narrative factors into a lot of ROY discussions over time, but it’s not everything.
Cooper Flagg drives to the basket past VJ Edgecombe earlier this month in Dallas. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
Sixth Man of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns | Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat
3. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (+450, previously honorable mention)
Johnson’s shooting percentages are pretty impressive. He’s averaging 13.5 points, but he’s doing it on 55.5 percent from the field and 39.9 percent from deep. He was well over 40 percent from deep but recently hit a bit of a shooting slump from outside. He’s also rebounding really well at 5.9 per game. He’s been dynamite for them in fourth quarters and helped close out a lot of games. If he shoots over 55 percent from the field and gets back over 40 percent from deep to end the season, that level of efficiency will be tough to ignore.
2. Naz Reid, Minnesota Timberwolves (+250 to win, previously second)
I thought about dropping Reid down to highlight some other players, but he’s been on fire in January. For the season, he’s averaging 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds on 47.1/39.0/76.1 shooting splits. In January, he’s up to 15.0 points and 6.4 rebounds with 53.6/47.8/66.7 shooting splits. That’s an increase from about a 58 percent true shooting to a 66.2 percent true shooting. The Wolves need him to bring scoring off the bench, and he’s providing exactly that.
1. Ajay Mitchell, Thunder (+550 to win)
Even though he’s not the favorite to win it, Mitchell is still my top Sixth Man so far. He’s stepped into the role with the Thunder and played tremendous basketball coming off the bench. He was barely in the rotation last season, and now he’s one of the leading scorers off the bench in the entire league. The offense takes a massive dip when SGA isn’t in the game, but it’s pretty steady with Mitchell on the court. A lot of that is his ability to complement the MVP and play alongside him. He’s been excellent on both ends of the floor.
Coach of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons | Darko Rajaković, Raptors
3. Mitch Johnson, Spurs (+425 to win, previously honorable mention)
If the Spurs end up as the No. 2 seed in the West, this might be Johnson’s award to lose. In his first full season taking over for Gregg Popovich, Johnson has improved above a lot of Spurs tenets.
2. Jordan Ott, Suns (+450 to win, previously first)
If we’re going with expectation versus reality, the reality of the Suns is something even the biggest Suns fans couldn’t have predicted. Ott has established a great culture on both ends of the floor.
1. Joe Mazzulla, Celtics (+500 to win, previously second)
The Celtics being second in the East after losing Tatum (for now), Kristaps Porziņģis, Al Horford, Jrue Holiday and Luke Kornet is beyond impressive. Mazzulla isn’t the favorite, but he should be.
Most Improved Player
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On-track to be ineligible: Wembanyama
Two honorable mentions: Anthony Black, Orlando Magic | Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Atlanta Hawks
3. Peyton Watson, Nuggets (+5000 to win)
2. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (-175 to win)
1. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz (+375 to win)
Same order as last week. I truly believe George is the most improved. He went from barely playable to highly payable when he’s available for an extension this coming fall. Is that more impressive and improved than going from a pretty good role player to an All-Star-level season like Avdija? I could be convinced that Black is right there. The reason I don’t have Jalen Johnson in my voting right now is that I feel like we saw this exact improvement from him last season before he got hurt.
By Zach Harper, via The Athletic