By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-02-12 10:30:59
每周直到常规赛结束，我们都会盘点各大个人奖项的竞争态势。本周，我们将从“年度最佳新秀”开始，看看谁目前处于领跑位置。
以下是“奖项观察”的评选背景：自2019年以来，我一直是受邀参与年度奖项投票的媒体成员之一。我非常看重这份荣誉，并力求选出我认为最实至名归的球员。鉴于投票过程是公开的，我也不希望因为投出一张荒唐的选票而被网友们当成“梗”嘲笑一辈子。我认为这种分析能很好地衡量我个人的思考和研究，以及《竞技者》(The Athletic) 其他作家和读者的意见。
正如互联网上所有类型的排名和观点一样，我确信这会迎来大家的一致认同和握手致意，而不是叫嚷和谩骂。如果你有不同意见，请在评论区留言。让我们先明确几点：
- 是的，我看比赛。
- 是的，我看过数据。
- 不，我不讨厌那位球员。
- 不，我不讨厌那支球队。
- 如果你有不同意见并想调侃我，请随意。但请尽量提出一个合理的论点。我不太关心你对自己喜欢的球员或球队的偏见，但我对那些我可能忽略或考虑不足的视角非常感兴趣。我致力于为这些奖项收集尽可能多的信息和观点。
- 在每个奖项板块，我都会给出我的评选标准，同时结合我的想法以及我认为该奖项在历史投票中一贯强调的重点。
- 别忘了“65场规则”！单赛季出场不足65场的球员将没有资格参选 MVP、年度最佳防守球员或进步最快球员。
让我们开始吧。（赔率和统计数据截至周三比赛前。）
年度最佳新秀 (Rookie of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 塞德里克·科沃德 (Cedric Coward)，孟菲斯灰熊 | 德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
3. 维杰·艾奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，费城76人 (夺奖赔率 +8000)
2. 康·克内佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂 (夺奖赔率 +600)
1. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，达拉斯独行侠 (夺奖赔率 -1000)
无意冒犯艾奇库姆或其他希望参与角逐的人，但除了克内佩尔和弗拉格，几乎没有其他人能跻身前二。在其他大多数年份，艾奇库姆都会是一名有竞争力的候选人，但现在让我们把焦点放在弗拉格和克内佩尔身上。
目前，赔率大幅倾向于这位2025年选秀中无可争议的状元秀。选秀专家们甚至从未动过标新立异的念头去讨论在状元位置选达里安·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)、艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)、艾奇库姆或克内佩尔。库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 一直是唯一的人选，即便对于当时并不缺前锋的独行侠队来说也是如此。但克内佩尔在场上的表现，基本上让那些选秀前对他打法的质疑化为乌有。
在奖项争夺中，大量资金都涌向了弗拉格，但这并不意味着投票结果也会如出一辙。当我与 NBA 圈内人士（包括从业人员和报道媒体）交流时，弗拉格被推崇为假定的赢家，但克内佩尔的表现确实让很多人在下结论前产生了犹豫。让我们来分析一下这场竞争究竟有多激烈：
- 得分： 弗拉格场均20.4分 | 克内佩尔场均18.9分。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 篮板： 弗拉格场均6.6个 | 克内佩尔场均5.5个。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 助攻： 弗拉格场均4.1次 | 克内佩尔场均3.5次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 抢断： 弗拉格场均1.2次 | 克内佩尔场均0.7次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 盖帽： 弗拉格场均0.8次 | 克内佩尔场均0.2次。 优势： 弗拉格。
- 失误： 弗拉格场均2.2次 | 克内佩尔场均2.2次。 优势： 无。
- 出场次数与时间： 弗拉格出战49场，场均34.1分钟 | 克内佩尔出战52场，场均32.2分钟。
- 投篮命中率： 弗拉格48.2% | 克内佩尔48.5%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 三分命中率： 弗拉格30.2% | 克内佩尔42.8%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 罚球命中率： 弗拉格80.4% | 克内佩尔89.9%。 优势： 克内佩尔。
- 场上影响力： 弗拉格在场时每100回合净输4.1分 | 克内佩尔在场时每100回合净输0.6分。 优势： 克内佩尔。
场上影响力这一指标存在很多干扰因素，必须持谨慎态度。此外，克内佩尔的三分球出手次数是弗拉格的两倍多，但弗拉格场均比他多出近两次罚球。这些因素都应计入基础数据中，而且克内佩尔的失误率比弗拉格更高。不过如你所见，克内佩尔的数据表现确实构成了极具悬念的挑战。虽然团队战绩很少被纳入最佳新秀的考量，但对于纠结的投票者来说，它可能会成为最终的决定性因素。黄蜂队目前势头正盛，以25胜29负的战绩排名东部第10。而独行侠队由于自身内部的动荡，战绩仅为19胜34负，排名持续下滑至西部第12。
各项数据都非常接近。显然，弗拉格的名气更大。但在克内佩尔的帮助下，他的球队正处于上升期。如果独行侠继续坠落，而黄蜂继续攀升，那么无论现在的博彩赔率如何，到了4月份我们可能会看到选票分布非常势均力敌。
最有价值球员 (MVP)
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濒临失去资格： 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，丹佛掘金（已缺席16场） | 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺（已缺席14场） | 斯蒂芬·库里 (Steph Curry)，金州勇士（已缺席15场）
已失去资格： 扬尼斯·阿德托昆博 (Giannis Antetokounmpo)，密尔沃基雄鹿（缺席超过17场）
五位荣誉提名： 泰雷斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey)，费城76人 | 斯蒂芬·库里，金州勇士 | 卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić)，洛杉矶湖人 | 安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards)，明尼苏达森林狼 | 杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯
5. 维克托·文班亚马，马刺 (暂无赔率，此前为荣誉提名)
4. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，波士顿凯尔特人 (夺奖赔率 +4000)
3. 凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)，底特律活塞 (夺奖赔率 +1600)
我发现文班亚马没有出现在 MVP 的赔率榜上，却出现在了年度最佳防守球员的榜单上，这很有意思。这两个奖项都遵循 65 场规则，虽然他已经缺席了 14 场比赛，但他最近非常健康，而且表现得简直不可思议。如你下文所见，赔率非常看好他拿最佳防守球员。马刺队目前排名西部第二。文班在场均 28.9 分钟的时间里，贡献 24.4 分、11.1 个篮板、2.7 次助攻和 2.7 次盖帽，真实命中率高达 62.5%。凯文·杜兰特甚至都以 +100000 的赔率上榜了！文班竟然榜上无名？我觉得这非常奇怪。
2. 尼古拉·约基奇，丹佛掘金 (夺奖赔率 +300)
1. 谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander)，俄克拉荷马城雷霆 (夺奖赔率 -210)
两位领跑者之间的赔率差距正在缩小。上周我写过，约基奇的回归让他重回赔率榜，并大幅缩小了差距。约基奇回归后出战了每一场比赛（本赛季他只能再缺席一场才能保持资格），而吉尔杰斯-亚历山大正因腹部伤势缺阵。他已经连续缺席了四场比赛，并将缺席到全明星赛结束。届时他将接受重新评估。约基奇在场时的表现是本赛季最令人印象深刻的，但他因膝伤缺席了太长时间。感觉即使他重获资格，也很难回到领跑位置。此前他与吉尔杰斯-亚历山大的出场数相差14场，现在缩小到了10场。对于约基奇惊艳的表现来说，这可能仍然是难以弥补的场次差距，尤其是吉尔杰斯-亚历山大本人的场上表现也绝非等闲之辈。但差距正在缩小，赔率也反映了这一点。
年度最佳防守球员 (Defensive Player of the Year)
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濒临失去资格： 文班亚马 | 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)，洛杉矶快船（已缺席13场）
已失去资格： 安东尼·戴维斯 (Anthony Davis)，华盛顿奇才（缺席超过17场）
两位荣誉提名： 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙 | 阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)，休斯顿火箭
3. 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，明尼苏达森林狼 (夺奖赔率 +1600，此前排名第二)
2. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，雷霆 (夺奖赔率 +250，此前排名第三)
1. 文班亚马，马刺 (夺奖赔率 -250)
既然文班亚马已经回归，并很有可能符合 65 场规则的要求（祈祷他保持健康），我们只会看到这位马刺球星与霍姆格伦之间的差距越拉越大。事实上，文班亚马与任何可能跻身第二名的人之间的鸿沟都会加深。戈贝尔正经历一个出色的防守赛季，但赔率让他看起来在讨论中几乎变得无关紧要。任何获得荣誉提名的人也都无法望其项背。赔率并不完全等同于评委的实际投票。文班亚马必须在防守端继续保持输出，而他目前的表现堪称神级。如果一个月后看到他的夺奖赔率达到 -1000 左右，我一点也不会感到惊讶。
年度最佳第六人 (Sixth Man of the Year)
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两位荣誉提名： 柯林·吉莱斯皮 (Collin Gillespie)，凤凰城太阳 | 阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell)，雷霆
3. 海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.)，迈阿密热火 (夺奖赔率 +500，此前为荣誉提名)
2. 纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，明尼苏达森林狼 (夺奖赔率 +175，此前排名第一)
1. 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，圣安东尼奥马刺 (夺奖赔率 +300，此前排名第三)
2月初的低迷开局让里德跌出了榜首，而凯尔登·约翰逊则继续保持着稳定的表现。他在马刺队扮演着强力前锋的角色，尽管三分球命中率不像赛季初那么稳定，但他依然展现出了极高的得分和抢篮板稳定性。米切尔的受伤让他本周跌出了前三，他曾是我本赛季大部分时间里最看好的获奖人选。哈克斯顶替了他的位置，他在迈阿密表现得非常出色，完美地从低迷的大二赛季中反弹。虽然他在2月初也经历了一段艰难时期，但他全赛季的表现让他始终处于领先行列。
凯尔登·约翰逊面对休斯顿火箭队的里德·谢泼德轻松上篮得手。(Thomas Shea / Imagn Images)
年度最佳教练 (Coach of the Year)
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两位荣誉提名： 乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott)，太阳 | 乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)，凯尔特人
3. J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，活塞 (夺奖赔率 -135，此前为荣誉提名)
2. 查尔斯·李 (Charles Lee)，黄蜂 (夺奖赔率 +1600，此前为荣誉提名)
1. 米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson)，马刺 (夺奖赔率 +900)
尽管黄蜂队的九连胜在追平队史纪录前被终结，但他们仍是过去两个月 NBA 最精彩的故事之一。那么，我们如何看待查尔斯·李凭借赛季中期的逆转而获奖的前景呢？目前有四位教练（比克斯塔夫、马祖拉、奥特和约翰逊）的赔率更高，李在赔率榜上与丹佛的代维·阿德尔曼持平。但我很好奇，当真正进入投票环节时，“拒绝摆烂”是否会为李的候选资格增加说服力。黄蜂队此前表现糟糕，本可以顺势摆烂争取另一个高顺位选秀权，但他们选择了认真对待整个赛季去竞争。他们离附加赛第7、8名的位置并不远，这可能足以让李赢得该奖项。
进步最快球员 (Most Improved Player)
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两位荣誉提名： 安东尼·布莱克 (Anthony Black)，奥兰多魔术 | 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，老鹰
3. 莱恩·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)，密尔沃基雄鹿 (夺奖赔率 +5000，此前未提及)
2. 基昂特·乔治 (Keyonte George)，犹他爵士 (夺奖赔率 +900)
1. 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者 (夺奖赔率 -125)
这次脚踝伤势，加上爵士队采取的极端且极具“创意”的摆烂策略，可能会让乔治退出该奖项的争夺。他本赛季表现出色，但如果赛季因伤缩短或剩余比赛出场受限，他可能无法与新晋全明星阿夫迪亚竞争。我一直想在这个板块重点推荐的是雄鹿队的罗林斯。上赛季有一些迹象表明罗林斯可能在联盟立足，但现在的表现是前所未有的。在本赛季之前，他职业生涯中只有15次得分上双，全部发生在2024-25赛季前期。他曾两次得分超过20。而现在，他在保持投篮命中率的情况下，场均贡献 16.9 分，且仅有三次得分未上双。他必须在讨论范围内。
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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：Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel locked in Rookie of the Year showdown: NBA Awards Watch
Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel locked in Rookie of the Year showdown: 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. This week, we’ll start with Rookie of the Year and figure out who our leader should be there.
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 as 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 just 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.)
Rookie of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
**3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (+8000 to win)****2. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+600 to win)**1. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (-1000 to win)
No offense to Edgecombe or anybody else hoping to be in the mix, but there is no chance anybody is cracking into the top two spots outside of Knueppel and Flagg. Edgecombe would be a viable candidate in most other years, but let’s focus on Flagg and Knueppel.
Currently, the odds are heavily favoring the unquestioned No. 1 pick in the 2025 draft. Not for a second did any draft people try to get cute and start talking about picking Dylan Harper or Ace Bailey or Edgecombe or Knueppel at the top. It was Flagg all the way, even for a Mavericks team that didn’t need more forwards. But pre-draft questions about Knueppel’s game have essentially been scoffed at by his on-court play.
All of the money has flooded toward Flagg in this awards race, but that doesn’t mean the votes will shake out the same way. Flagg is the presumed winner when I talk to people around the NBA (both working in it and covering it), but Knueppel has a lot of people pausing before they decide. Let’s break down how close this race might actually be:
- **Scoring:**20.4 points per game for Flagg | 18.9 points per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Rebounds:**6.6 per game for Flagg | 5.5 per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Assists:**4.1 per game for Flagg | 3.5 per game for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Flagg.
- Steals: 1.2 per game for Flagg | 0.7 per game for Knueppel. Advantage: Flagg.
- Blocks: 0.8 per game for Flagg | 0.2 per game for Knueppel**. Advantage:**Flagg.
- **Turnovers:**2.2 per game for Flagg | 2.2 per game for Knueppel. Advantage: None.
- **Games and minutes played:**49 games, 34.1 minutes per game for Flagg | 52 games, 32.2 minutes per game for Knueppel.
- **Field goal percentage:**48.2 percent for Flagg | 48.5 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- **3-point percentage:**30.2 percent for Flagg | 42.8 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- Free-throw percentage: 80.4 percent for Flagg | 89.9 percent for Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel.
- Impact on the floor: minus-4.1 points per 100 possessions with Flagg | minus-0.6 points per 100 possessions with Knueppel. **Advantage:**Knueppel
The impact-on-the-floor metric has so much noise in it, and you have to take it with a giant grain of salt. Also, Knueppel takes more than twice as many 3-pointers as Flagg, but Flagg attempts nearly two more free throws per game. That stuff should be factored into the raw numbers, and Knueppel has a higher turnover rate than Flagg. As you can see, though, Knueppel’s numbers put up a very interesting fight overall. And while team success has rarely factored into Rookie of the Year, it might end up becoming a tiebreaker for anybody who is torn. The Hornets have surged ahead, sitting 25-29 and 10th in the Eastern Conference. The Mavericks, having gone through plenty of self-inflicted turmoil, are just 19-34, falling in the standings and sitting 12th in the West.
All of the categories are pretty close. Flagg has the bigger name recognition, obviously. But Knueppel is surging at a good time with his team. If the Mavs keep plummeting and the Hornets continue to climb with Knueppel’s help, we may see a pretty split vote in April, no matter what the betting odds say today.
MVP
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On-track to be ineligible: Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (missed 16 games) | Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (missed 14 games) | Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors (missed 15)
Ineligible: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks (missed more than 17 games)
Five honorable mentions: Tyrese Maxey, Philadelphia 76ers | Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors | Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers | Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves | Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
**5. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs (no betting odds, previously honorable mention)****4. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (+4000 to win)**3. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons (+1600 to win)
I find it fascinating that Wembanyama is not on the board for MVP, but he’s on the board for Defensive Player of the Year. Both awards adhere to the 65-game rule, and while he has missed 14 games, he’s been very healthy as of late, and he’s playing out of his mind. As you’ll see below, the betting odds favor him for Defensive Player of the Year. The Spurs are second in the West. Wemby is averaging 24.4 points, 11.1 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 2.7 blocks in 28.9 minutes with a 62.5 percent true shooting. Kevin Durant is even on the board at +100000 odds! Wemby doesn’t make it into the mix? I find that very strange.
**2. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (+300 to win)**1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (-210 to win)
The odds have closed here a bit with the top two candidates for the award. Last week, I wrote about how the return of Jokić put him back on the betting board, and he had closed a dramatic gap. Jokić has played every game since returning (he can only miss one more game this season and remain eligible), and Gilgeous-Alexander is missing some time with an abdominal injury. He’s missed four consecutive games and will sit through the All-Star break. That’s when he’ll be re-evaluated. Jokić has had the more impressive season on the court when he’s played, but he missed so much time with that knee injury. It felt like even a return to eligibility wouldn’t put him back in the favorite position. There was a 14-game difference between him and Gilgeous-Alexander. Now, it’s down to a 10-game difference. That might still be too many games for Jokić’s amazing play to overcome, especially with Gilgeous-Alexander being no joke on the court himself. But the gap is narrowing, and the betting odds are reflecting that.
Defensive Player of the Year
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On-track to be ineligible: Wembanyama | Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers (missed 13 games)
Ineligible: Anthony Davis, Washington Wizards (missed more than 17 games)
Two honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
3. **Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves (+1600 to win, previously second)**2. **Chet Holmgren, Thunder (+250 to win, previously third)**1. Wembanyama, Spurs (-250 to win)
Now that Wembanyama is back and will likely qualify under the 65-game rule (knock on wood), we’re only going to see this gap widen between the Spurs star and Holmgren. Actually, that gulf will grow between Wembanyama and anybody who could find their way into second place. Gobert is having an excellent defensive season, and the betting odds make him look borderline irrelevant in the discussion. Anybody qualifying for honorable mention won’t come close either. Betting odds don’t just outright reflect how the voters will actually vote. Wembanyama has to continue to deliver on that end of the court, but he’s playing incredible defense. It wouldn’t shock me if a month from now, we’re looking at his odds being around -1000 to win the award.
Sixth Man of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Collin Gillespie, Phoenix Suns | Ajay Mitchell, Thunder
3. **Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami Heat (+500 to win, previously honorable mention)**2. **Naz Reid, Timberwolves (+175 to win, previously first)**1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (+300, previously third)
A pretty cold start to February knocks Reid out of the top spot. And Johnson continues to play consistent basketball. He essentially plays like a bruising forward for the Spurs, and even though the 3-point shot isn’t falling as it did earlier in the season, he’s been about as consistent as it comes at making shots and grabbing boards in his time on the court. Mitchell’s injury knocks him out of the top three this week, and he has been one of my favorites to win the award most of the season. Jaquez takes his place in the top three, and he’s been so good for Miami. He’s bounced back perfectly from his poor sophomore showing. He’s had a tough start to February, as well, but his play all season long has him heavily in the running.
Keldon Johnson puts home an easy two points against Houston’s Reed Sheppard. (Thomas Shea / Imagn Images)
Coach of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Jordan Ott, Suns | Joe Mazzulla, Celtics
**3. J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons (-135 to win, previously honorable mention)****2. Charles Lee, Hornets (+1600 to win, previously honorable mention)**1. Mitch Johnson, Spurs (+900 to win)
Even though the Hornets had their nine-game winning streak snapped before they could tie the franchise record of 10, they’ve been one of the best stories in the NBA the last two months. So, how do we feel about Lee winning the award for a midseason turnaround? There are four coaches (Bickerstaff, Mazzulla, Ott and Johnson) with better odds to win, and Lee is tied with Denver’s David Adelman on the board. But I’m curious if the tanking problem boosts the narrative surrounding Lee’s candidacy when it gets down to voting time. The Hornets were awful and could have easily leaned into that for another high draft choice. Instead, they chose to take the entire season seriously to compete. They’re not far off from being in the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchup in the Play-In Tournament, and that could be enough for Lee to take the award.
Most Improved Player
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Two honorable mentions: Anthony Black, Orlando Magic | Jalen Johnson, Hawks
**3. Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks (+5000 to win, previously not mentioned)****2. Keyonte George, Utah Jazz (+900 to win)**1. Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (-125 to win)
This ankle injury, plus the Jazz going to extreme and inventive tanking procedures, could end up knocking George out of the race for this award. He’s had a great season, but if it’s cut short and he doesn’t play many games the rest of the way, it probably won’t be enough to get him the award over newly minted All-Star Avdija. Someone I’ve been meaning to highlight and mention more in this space is Rollins in Milwaukee. There were some glimpses that maybe Rollins could stick around in the league last season, but this type of player did not really present itself. He scored in double-digits 15 times in his career before this season, all of them happening in the 2024-25 campaign. He broke 20 twice. Now, he’s averaging 16.9 points without losing any efficiency in his shooting percentages, and he’s failed to score in double figures only three times. He has to be in the mix.
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By Zach Harper, via The Athletic