By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-03-19 09:15:32
每周，我们都会盘点 NBA 各项重大个人奖项的竞争形势。本周，我们将重点关注最快进步球员奖（Most Improved Player）。与 MVP、最佳防守球员、最佳阵容和最佳防守阵容一样，该奖项也受限于联盟 65 场比赛的出场门槛。
以下是奖项观察的最新进展：自 2019 年以来，我一直是有幸参与年度奖项投票的媒体成员之一。我非常看重这份荣誉，并竭尽全力挑选出我认为最实至名归的球员。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永久的笑柄。这份分析很好地衡量了我个人的想法、研究，以及《The Athletic》其他作者和读者的观点。
正如互联网上所有的排名和观点一样，我确信这会迎来大家的赞同和握手，而不是叫喊和谩骂。如果你有不同意见，请在评论区留言。首先，让我们明确几点：
- 是的，我看了比赛。
- 是的，我研究了数据。
- 不，我不讨厌那名球员。
- 不，我不讨厌那支球队。
- 如果你有不同意见并想吐槽我，请自便。只要你的观点能自圆其说就行。我对你对主队或心仪球员的偏见不感兴趣，但我非常感兴趣那些我可能遗漏或考虑不足的视角。在评选这些奖项时，我致力于获取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，同时结合我个人的思考以及该奖项在历史投票中所强调的重点。
- 正如我上面提到的，单赛季出场不满 65 场的球员将失去评选 MVP、最佳防守球员或最快进步球员的资格。
让我们进入正题。（BetMGM 赔率和数据截至周三比赛前。）
最快进步球员 (Most Improved Player)
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两名荣誉提名： 莱恩·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)，密尔沃基雄鹿 | 杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)，底特律活塞
**3. 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，亚特兰大老鹰（夺奖赔率 +275）****2. 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者（夺奖赔率 +500，此前排名第一）**1. 尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)，老鹰（夺奖赔率 +1600，此前未上榜）
在过去的两个月里，我有时会将尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker) 列入荣誉提名，但现在他应该在这场竞争中领跑。
杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren) 是博彩公司的热门人选。德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija) 将自己提升到了全明星水准。亚历山大-沃克的队友杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson) 也延续了他在上赛季受伤前就开始的进步势头。此前让我对亚历山大-沃克感到纠结的是，回顾他在明尼苏达森林狼队的几个赛季，他当时已经是一名非常重要的角色球员了。现在他在亚特兰大，同样扮演着重要的角色。这之间有区别吗？
通过分析数据的进步，你会发现这不仅仅是出场时间的增加。在奎因·斯奈德 (Quin Snyder) 的战术体系下，亚历山大-沃克在进攻端真正承担了更大的责任，而这正是我之前的盲点。
让我们看看这四位领跑者（包括杜伦）从上赛季到本赛季的数据变化：
- 约翰逊： 场均得分从 18.9 分升至 23.0 分，篮板从 10.0 个升至 10.4 个，助攻从 5.0 次升至 8.1 次；投篮/三分/罚球命中率从 50.0%/31.2%/74.6% 变为 49.5%/35.1%/78.2%；场均出场时间从 35.7 分钟微降至 35.2 分钟。
- 杜伦： 场均得分从 11.8 分升至 19.0 分，篮板从 10.3 个升至 10.6 个，助攻从 2.7 次降至 1.7 次；命中率从 69.2%/0.0%/66.9% 变为 64.2%/0.0%/72.8%；场均出场时间从 26.1 分钟升至 27.8 分钟。
- 阿夫迪亚： 场均得分从 16.9 分升至 24.0 分，篮板从 7.3 个降至 6.9 个，助攻从 3.9 次升至 6.7 次；命中率从 47.6%/36.5%/78.0% 变为 46.0%/32.8%/80.3%；场均出场时间从 30.0 分钟升至 33.4 分钟。
- 亚历山大-沃克： 场均得分从 9.4 分大幅升至 20.3 分，篮板从 3.2 个升至 3.5 个，助攻从 2.7 次升至 3.7 次；命中率从 43.8%/38.1%/78.0% 变为 44.4%/38.6%/89.6%；场均出场时间从 25.3 分钟升至 33.3 分钟。
亚历山大-沃克在得分上的飞跃，同时变得更加高效（尤其是罚球命中率），这是巨大的进步。他协助约翰逊运行斯奈德进攻体系的能力，对于帮助取得 11 连胜的老鹰队在告别特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 后感到适应至关重要。这是这支球队向前迈进所必须经历的。更不用说，亚历山大-沃克依然是一名出色的防守者，而这曾是他在明尼苏达时的主要职责。
约翰逊在组织进攻方面的进步源于两个原因：1. 他自己变强了；2. 杨的缺阵留下了空缺，需要有人填补。阿夫迪亚是这里的不确定因素，因为从去年的水平跃升为今年的全明星球员意义重大。虽然效率有所下降，但由于开拓者后场伤病不断，他不得不增加了组织任务。理论上每个人最终都能打满 65 场并获得评选资格，尽管阿夫迪亚可能比较悬（截至周三已出战 53 场，还剩 13 场）。亚历山大-沃克绝对和任何其他主要候选人一样实至名归。
MVP
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五名荣誉提名： 凯文·杜兰特 (Kevin Durant)，休斯顿火箭 | 多诺万·米切尔 (Donovan Mitchell)，克利夫兰骑士 | 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·布鲁恩森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯
5. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，波士顿凯尔特人（夺奖赔率 +15000）
杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown) 和卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 的 MVP 夺奖赔率相同。诚然，这些赔率高得离谱，两名球员其实都没有机会。但问题在于你是否能最终进入前五名的选票名单。
目前我稍微看好布朗，原因有几点：1) 布朗在防守端的表现显然更好。他是联盟顶尖防守者之一，而东契奇……并不是。这在 MVP 投票中应该被考虑进去。2) 布朗帮助凯尔特人克服了更多困难，稳居东部第二，而湖人升至西部第三所面临的阻力相对较小。是的，身处东部路径更轻松，但在赛季开始前，很多人甚至预测凯尔特人会无缘季后赛。布朗的表现和领导力让这种预测显得荒谬。东契奇确实让湖人目前超出了预期。他是联盟得分王，在湖人最近的排名冲刺中表现出色。但我认为这还没达到布朗在波士顿所做到的水平。而且你不能把两人都放进选票，因为接下来的四个人是必选的。
4. 凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)，活塞（夺奖赔率 +5000）
活塞队最近稍微失去了一些光芒，过去八场比赛仅赢了三场。不过他们可能没有失去东部第一宝座的危险，而且他们接下来的赛程是全联盟最轻松的之一。我从未真正相信过凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham) 有机会获得 MVP，即便在一个月前，当人们还在疑惑谁能满足 65 场规则时，这还是个“这难道不会是个奇闻吗”式的话题。但在有前面三位大神的情况下，能在 MVP 投票中排名第四，已经是一项了不起的成就。坎宁安的赛季表现棒极了，任何一张选票都不应该把他排除在外。
**3. 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，丹佛掘金（夺奖赔率 +1800，此前第三）****2. 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺（夺奖赔率 +2000，此前第二）**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 -1000）
团队成功通常是这些奖项的重要指标，在进入季后赛前的关键时刻达到巅峰总能为候选资格加分。不幸的是，对于尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić) 和掘金队来说，他们现在完全不在巅峰。他们最近打得很挣扎，尽管约基奇的数据依然夸张，但他看起来并不完全像他自己。我不认为维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama) 需要被冠以“如果约基奇不达标”之类的限定词才能被视为该奖项的第二候选人。文班亚马的表现一直很离谱，而且马刺队正打着精英级别的篮球。他和马刺在正确的时间点爆发，但博彩赔率最近又将约基奇排在了他前面，位列第二。
不过，谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 已经准备好卫冕 MVP 了。这不仅仅是因为他连续 20+ 得分的纪录，这是历史最长纪录。他的防守也一如既往地令人惊叹。在最近击败森林狼的比赛中，我们看到了他在手感不佳时如何通过防守端的表现来弥补。这已是常态。他虽然还不是最佳防守阵容的绝对候选人，但也相去不远了。除此之外，他还是联盟中最不可阻挡的得分手和优秀的组织者。吉尔杰斯-亚历山大的存在正是雷霆队如此具有统治力的原因。
年度最佳新秀 (Rookie of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)，犹他爵士 | 德里克·奎因 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
**3. VJ·艾奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，费城 76 人（夺奖赔率 +15000）****2. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，达拉斯独行侠（夺奖赔率 +160）**1. 康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂（夺奖赔率 -210）
我不认为康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel) 会全票当选最佳新秀。很多人仍会认为库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg) 才是首选，我不认为这是一个过分的观点。但这位黄蜂侧翼与弗拉格之间巨大的出场数差距，加上如果你觉得两人旗鼓相当时团队战绩可以作为打破平局的因素，这些都应该让克努佩尔最终胜出。弗拉格自脚部扭伤复出以来的挣扎表现也影响了他的竞争力。在那八场比赛中，弗拉格场均得到 18.9 分，出手 18.5 次，外加 7.0 篮板、6.4 助攻和 1.4 盖帽。这些场均数据确实不错，但他复出后 41.2%/20.8%/80.0% 的投篮分布确实有些惨淡。
康·克努佩尔试图持球突破萨克拉门托国王队的德玛尔·德罗赞。 (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
年度最佳防守球员 (Defensive Player of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙 | 班姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo)，迈阿密热火
**3. 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，森林狼（夺奖赔率 +8000）****2. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，雷霆（夺奖赔率 +1000）**1. 文班亚马，马刺（夺奖赔率 -2500）
文班亚马在这个奖项上已经一骑绝尘。唯一阻碍他的是评选资格。他已经打了 54 场比赛，马刺还剩 13 场。本赛季他最多只能再缺席两场。文班亚马去年没能赢得 DPOY 是因为深静脉血栓导致赛季提前报销。这为克利夫兰的埃文·莫布里 (Evan Mobley) 夺奖打开了大门，尽管我认为在文班缺阵前，两人的竞争比人们愿意承认的要激烈得多。现在根本没有防守球员能达到他的水平，能否打满 65 场是他夺奖的唯一疑问。
年度最佳第六人 (Sixth Man of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)，掘金 | 纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，森林狼
**3. 里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard)，火箭（夺奖赔率 +425）****2. 小海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.)，热火（夺奖赔率 +200，此前为荣誉提名）**1. 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，马刺（夺奖赔率 +650，此前第一）
小海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.) 成了博彩公司的新宠，这很有意思。纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid) 仍以 +300 位居第二，但他最近手感冰凉，我不确定他是否能仅凭名声保住前三。他这一年打得很好，但我们看到他在过去一个半月里的表现并没有达到森林狼需要的水平。凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson) 一直是最稳定的候选人，他在马刺替补席上的表现非常出色。哈克斯整个赛季都很稳定，但他在三月份的表现确实惊人。他的效率一直在线；替补出场场均得分超过 15 分，并且显著提升了组织能力。这应该是一场非常激烈的竞争。
年度最佳教练 (Coach of the Year)
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两名荣誉提名： 乔丹·奥特 (Jordan Ott)，凤凰城太阳 | 查尔斯·李 (Charles Lee)，黄蜂
**3. J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，活塞（夺奖赔率 -175）****2. 米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson)，马刺（夺奖赔率 +900）**1. 乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)，凯尔特人（夺奖赔率 +175）
本周排名没有变动。有些人认为 J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff) 应该赢（博彩赔率也这么认为），因为活塞在东部一路领先。这不失为一个合理的标准。但最大程度地超出预期通常在评选中占据重要地位。活塞并不是东部冠军的热门，但骑士和尼克斯没能达到预期也是活塞领跑的部分原因。然而，马刺和凯尔特人分别位居各自联盟的第二。没人预料到他们能站得这么高，或者如此成功。我仍然稍微看好乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)。面对阵容的变动和裁员，他走过的道路更加艰难。
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由生成式 AI 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：Hawks' Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson battling for Most Improved Player
Hawks’ Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Jalen Johnson battling for Most Improved Player
Each week, we’ll check in on where I think the NBA’s major individual awards races stand. This week, we’re focusing on Most Improved Player, which, like MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, All-NBA and All-Defense honors, falls under the league’s 65-game requirement.
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. 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 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.
- As I mentioned above, 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. (BetMGM odds and stats are entering Wednesday’s games.)
Most Improved Player
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Two honorable mentions: Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks | Jalen Duren, Detroit Pistons
**3. Jalen Johnson, Atlanta Hawks (+275 to win)**2. **Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers (+500 to win, previously first)**1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks (+1600 to win, previously not mentioned)
I’ve had Alexander-Walker as an honorable mention at times in the last couple of months, but he should be leading this race now.
Duren is the betting favorite. Avdija turned himself into an All-Star. Johnson, Alexander-Walker’s teammate, has also furthered his improvement that started before his injury last season. What’s been tripping me up about Alexander-Walker is reflecting on his time with the Minnesota Timberwolves in previous seasons and seeing what an important role player he was. Now he’s in Atlanta and is an important role player there. Is there a difference?
Breaking down the improvement in numbers, there’s not just an increase in minutes. Alexander-Walker has truly taken a bigger role within this offense under Quin Snyder, and that’s where my blind spot was.
Let’s look at the stat changes for each of these top four, including Duren, from last season to this season:
- **Johnson:**18.9 to 23.0 points, 10.0 to 10.4 rebounds, 5.0 to 8.1 assists and 50.0/31.2/74.6 to 49.5/35.1/78.2 shooting splits in 35.7 to 35.2 minutes.
- Duren: 11.8 to 19.0 points, 10.3 to 10.6 rebounds, 2.7 to 1.7 assists and 69.2/0.0/66.9 to 64.2/0.0/72.8 shooting splits in 26.1 to 27.8 minutes.
- Avdija: 16.9 to 24.0 points, 7.3 to 6.9 rebounds, 3.9 to 6.7 assists and 47.6/36.5/78.0 to 46.0/32.8/80.3 shooting splits in 30.0 to 33.4 minutes.
- Alexander-Walker: 9.4 to 20.3 points, 3.2 to 3.5 rebounds, 2.7 to 3.7 assists and 43.8/38.1/78.0 to 44.4/38.6/89.6 shooting splits in 25.3 to 33.3 minutes.
Alexander-Walker’s leap in scoring while becoming a more efficient player (especially when it comes to free-throw shooting) is massive. And his ability to help Johnson run Snyder’s offense was big in helping the Hawks, who have won 11 games in a row, feel comfortable moving on from Trae Young. That needed to happen for this franchise to move forward. Not to mention, Alexander-Walker is still an excellent defender, which was his primary role in Minnesota.
Johnson’s improvement in playmaking happened for two reasons. 1) He got better at it, and 2) Young’s absence left a void for someone to step into. Avdija is the wild card here because leaping from where he was a year ago to the All-Star this season is big. The efficiency dipped, but he also increased his playmaking because of necessity and the injuries to the Blazers’ backcourt. Everybody should end up playing 65 games and qualifying, although Avdija might be cutting it close (53 games with 13 to play entering Wednesday). Alexander-Walker is definitely as deserving as any of the other major candidates.
MVP
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Five honorable mentions: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets | Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers | Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers | Anthony Edwards, Minnesota Timberwolves | Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
5. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics (+15000 to win)
Brown and Dončić have the same odds to win MVP. Granted, those odds are astronomical, and neither player has a chance. But there’s still the matter of whether or not you end up on the final five-player ballot.
I’ve currently got Brown with the slight edge for a few reasons. 1) Brown has been obviously better on the defensive end. He’s one of the top defenders in the league, and Dončić … is not. That should matter in MVP voting. 2) Brown has helped the Celtics overcome a lot more to be the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference than the Lakers have had to overcome to be the third seed in the West. Yes, being in the East presents an easier path, but so many people had the Celtics potentially missing the playoffs before the season started. Brown’s play and leadership have made that ludicrous. Dončić definitely has the Lakers above expectations right now. He’s leading the league in scoring, and he’s been tremendous during the Lakers’ current push up the standings. But I don’t think it’s quite at the level of what Brown has done in Boston. And you can’t have both on the ballot because the next four guys have to be there.
4. Cade Cunningham, Pistons (+5000 to win)
The Pistons have lost a bit of their luster, winning only three of their last eight games. They’re probably not in any danger of losing the No. 1 seed in the East, and they have one of the easier schedules the rest of the way. I never really believed Cunningham had a chance at MVP, even with it being a “wouldn’t this be a quirky occurrence” type of topic a month ago, when people wondered who would even qualify for the award due to the 65-game rule. But finishing fourth in MVP voting with these three guys ahead of him is a remarkable accomplishment. Cunningham’s season has been awesome, and there shouldn’t be a single ballot excluding him.
3. Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets (+1800 to win, previously third) 2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+2000, previously second) 1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (-1000 to win)
Team success is often a big indicator of how these awards might go, and peaking at the right time heading into the playoffs will always give a candidacy a boost. Unfortunately for Jokić and the Nuggets, they’re not peaking at all. They’ve been struggling lately, and Jokić doesn’t look completely like himself, despite the absurd numbers he’s putting up. I’m not sure that Wembanyama needs to be couched as “if Jokić doesn’t qualify” or something like that to be considered the second candidate for this award. Wembanyama has been ridiculous, and the Spurs are playing elite basketball. He and the Spurs are surging at the right time, but the betting odds have recently moved toward putting Jokić back over him for second-best odds.
Gilgeous-Alexander is primed to repeat as MVP, though. It’s not just the streak of regular-season 20-point games, which is the longest in history. His defense has been incredible, as it usually is. We saw in a recent win over Minnesota just how much he can make up for a bad shooting night by making plays on that end. That’s the norm. He’s not quite an All-Defense candidate, but he’s not far from it. And on top of that, he’s the most unstoppable scorer in the league and a good distributor. Gilgeous-Alexander’s presence is why the Thunder are as dominant as they are.
Rookie of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
**3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (+15000 to win)****2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (+160 to win)**1. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (-210 to win)
I wouldn’t expect Knueppel to be the unanimous ROY. Plenty of people will think Flagg is still the pick, and I don’t think it’s an egregious opinion to hold. But the gulf of games between the Charlotte wing and Flagg, along with team success being a tiebreaker if you feel they’re still neck-and-neck, should lead to Knueppel being the winner. Flagg’s struggles since returning from his foot sprain don’t help his candidacy. In those eight games, Flagg is averaging 18.9 points on 18.5 shots with 7.0 rebounds, 6.4 assists and 1.4 blocks. Those are good averages, for sure. But his 41.2/20.8/80.0 shooting splits since his return are rough.
Kon Knueppel tries to drive past Sacramento’s DeMar DeRozan. (Ezra Shaw / Getty Images)
Defensive Player of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
**3. Rudy Gobert, Timberwolves (+8000 to win)****2. Chet Holmgren, Thunder (+1000 to win)**1. Wembanyama, Spurs (-2500 to win)
Wembanyama is running away with this award. The only thing in his way is eligibility. He’s played in 54 games, and the Spurs have 13 remaining. He can miss just two more games this season. Wembanyama didn’t win DPOY last year because deep vein thrombosis ended his season early. That opened the door for Cleveland’s Evan Mobley to win it, although I think it was a closer race than people would’ve admitted before Wemby’s absence. There just isn’t a defensive player on his level right now, and hitting 65 games is the only question about whether he’ll win this.
Sixth Man of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Tim Hardaway Jr., Nuggets | Naz Reid, Timberwolves
**3. Reed Sheppard, Rockets (+425 to win)****2. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat (+200 to win, previously honorable mention)**1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (+650 to win, previously first)
Jaquez is the new favorite in the betting odds, which I find interesting. Reid is still second at +300, but he’s been on such a cold streak lately that I’m not sure he can stay in the top three just by reputation. He’s had a really good year, but we’re looking at a month and a half of him not performing in the manner the Timberwolves need. Johnson has been the most consistent candidate, and he’s been excellent for the Spurs off the bench. Jaquez has been good all season, but he’s having a really good March. His efficiency has been there; he’s scoring over 15 points per game off the bench, and he’s really increased his playmaking. This should be a pretty tight race.
Coach of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Jordan Ott, Phoenix Suns | Charles Lee, Hornets
**3. J.B. Bickerstaff, Pistons (-175 to win)****2. Mitch Johnson, Spurs (+900 to win)**1. Joe Mazzulla, Celtics (+175 to win)
No movement this week. Some believe Bickerstaff should win this (and the betting odds agree) because of the wire-to-wire lead in the East. It’s not necessarily a bad standard to have. But exceeding expectations the most usually plays a big role in winning this award. The Pistons weren’t picked to win the East, but the Cavs and Knicks not quite living up to expectations is part of the reason they’re up there. However, the Spurs and Celtics are second in their respective conferences. Nobody had them this high or this successful. I’d give the slight edge to Mazzulla still. He’s had a tougher road with the changes and cuts to the roster.
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By Zach Harper, via The Athletic