By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-04-02 09:45:35
在常规赛结束前的每周，我们都会盘点各项重大个人奖项的竞争形势。本周，距离赛季结束仅剩一周多时间，现在正是审视最佳防守阵容和最佳新秀阵容可能人选的好时机。
以下是“奖项观察”的运作方式：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。这是一份我非常看重的荣誉，因为我力求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荒谬的一票而被做成梗图永久流传。这份分析很好地衡量了我的想法、研究，以及《The Athletic》其他作者和读者所提交的观点。
就像互联网上所有的排名和观点一样，我确信这会迎来赞同和握手，而不是叫嚣和谩骂。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，我看比赛。
- 是是的，我看过数据。
- 不，我不讨厌那个球员。
- 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。只要尝试提出一个合理的观点。我对你对心仪球员或球队的偏见不太感兴趣，但我对可能被我忽略或考虑不足的视角非常感兴趣。我致力于为这些奖项获取尽可能多的信息和意见。
- 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上投票时所强调的重点。
- 别忘了“65场规则”！单赛季出场不满65场的球员没有资格评选MVP、年度最佳防守球员或进步最快球员。
让我们开始吧。
最佳防守第一阵容
维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺
文班亚马在年度最佳防守球员的竞争中遥遥领先，所以显而易见，他将入选最佳防守第一阵容。回溯到2012年和2013年，当时的年度最佳防守球员实际上并没有入选最佳防守第一阵容，而是被选入了第二阵容。马克·加索尔 (Marc Gasol) 在2013年赢得了该奖项，但泰森·钱德勒 (Tyson Chandler) 和乔金·诺阿 (Joakim Noah) 并列占据了第一阵容的中锋位置。钱德勒在2012年获奖，但也身处第二阵容，德怀特·霍华德 (Dwight Howard) 压过他入选了一阵。1995年的迪肯贝·穆托姆博 (Dikembe Mutombo)（大卫·罗宾逊压过他）和1986年的阿尔文·罗伯特森 (Alvin Robertson)（可能在第一阵容投票中输给了西德尼·蒙克利夫）也遇到过这种情况。
这种情况不会再发生了……大概吧？当时出现这种情况的原因是教练负责投票选出最佳防守阵容，而媒体负责投票选出DPOY。自2014年以来，媒体对这两项均拥有投票权。此外，请记住，这些阵容现在已经不分位置了。
切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，俄克拉荷马城雷霆
雷霆队中还有更出色的防守者，这并不是对霍姆格伦的贬低。但他可能是他们本赛季最重要的防守者，这也是为什么他在赛季中期曾是DPOY的博彩领跑者。雷霆拥有许多像卢·多特 (Lu Dort)、亚历克斯·卡鲁索 (Alex Caruso) 和凯森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace) 这样能给外线施加巨大压力的球员。杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams)（健康时）是最佳防守阵容级别的球员。谢伊·吉尔杰斯-亚历山大 (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) 也是一名伟大的防守球员。但他们能在外线保持如此侵略性的很大一部分原因，是知道霍姆格伦在后方查漏补缺。他的盖帽时机已经达到顶级水平，而且他不再像以前那样容易被对手顶开。他的防守站位有所提高，雷霆继续保持联盟第一的防守，正是因为所有这些因素在以一种共生的方式运作。
鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，明尼苏达森林狼
在本赛季前半段，许多人认为戈贝尔有望获得创纪录的第五座DPOY奖杯。他目前与迪肯贝·穆托姆博和本·华莱士 (Ben Wallace) 以四次并列第一。但随后，文班亚马伤愈复出，表现更胜一筹。然而，戈贝尔在本赛季的大部分时间里防守表现都非常出色。他在空间防守方面做得非常好，而这正是他在网上经常被诟病的一点。在面对外线球员时，他的脚步移动看起来可能依然有些滑稽，但他能凭借时机把握和臂展弥补很多不足。由于戈贝尔的存在，森林狼的防守效率排在联盟前五。当他下场休息时，球队每百回合的防守失分会增加7.6分。
巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo)，迈阿密热火
埃里克·斯波尔斯特拉 (Erik Spoelstra) 几乎总能调教出顶级的防守，但尽管热火本赛季剧烈地改变了打法，他们依然保持了联盟前十的防守水平。当球队处于那种回合数有限的磨阵地风格时，热火始终依靠阿德巴约来奠定基调、覆盖全场，并让他们在枯燥的比赛中保持专注。现在热火已经将节奏提升到了极速，他们依然是NBA防守较好的球队之一。在如此快速风格的有组织混乱中做到这一点并不容易。阿德巴约就是那个维系一切的人。他能防守联盟中的任何人，能防大也能防小，覆盖球场的每一个区域。
斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙
巴恩斯是联盟中最令人印象深刻的个人防守者之一。他几乎可以在任何地方防守任何人，由于他极强的适应能力，猛龙甚至排出了一些非常矮小的阵容。防守助长了猛龙本赛季的成功。他们排名联盟第七，很大一部分原因在于巴恩斯极具破坏力。他速度极快，足以锁死对方的主要得分手，并在球转移时提供协防，同时还能紧贴自己的防守人，确保回传球不会对多伦多造成重大威胁。有时，感觉场上有两个他。
最佳防守第二阵容
阿门·汤普森 (Amen Thompson)，休斯顿火箭
汤普森是最难被挡在第一阵容之外的球员。去年他入选是毫无悬念的，甚至有人在想他是否应该赢得年度最佳防守球员。防守是一件很难从争夺这些顶级荣誉的精英防守者中解析出来的东西，因为没有完美的统计数据和指标。在评价像汤普森这样的球员时，只需看他如何防守。汤普森的速度和对抗性极强。他似乎在进攻球员意识到自己要做下一个动作之前就将其切断。球员们经常不得不被迫停球寻找队友，因为他们已经无计可施了。他经常能让你放弃进攻回合。
凯森·华莱士 (Cason Wallace)，俄克拉荷马城雷霆
在华莱士和多特之间做选择也许是错的，但本质上，这就是我正在做的事情。有趣的是，卡鲁索没有资格获得这个奖项，因为：1) 他打不满65场比赛；2) 即使打满了，他在所参加的比赛中场均出场时间也不足20分钟。华莱士之所以能压过多特，是因为出场次数（华莱士多打了10场）和出场时间（他比多特多打了200多分钟）。这最终成为了两人之间的胜负手。华莱士是领防端最具破坏力的球员之一，他在协防包夹方面也非常出色。他制造了大量的失误，而且绝不是靠投机取巧来抢断。
在东西部一号种子的对决中，俄克拉荷马城的凯森·华莱士锁死了底特律的凯文·许尔特 (Kevin Huerter)。（Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images）
德里克·怀特 (Derrick White)，波士顿凯尔特人
怀特是另一个很难被挡在第一阵容之外的球员，但一阵确实已经满员了。他的防守本能和理解力是联盟中最高的。他在球场各处都是一名出色的防守者。有他在场，篮下的投篮都不安全。他绕掩护的动作就像液体一样丝滑。怀特是最擅长通过移动脚步切断突破而无需进行身体对抗防守的球员之一，但他同样能在高对抗防守中游刃有余。本赛季当他不在场时，凯尔特人的防守完全崩盘了。
奥萨尔·汤普森 (Ausar Thompson)，底特律活塞
他也是一名非凡的防守者！就像他的兄弟一样。他在J.B. 比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff) 建立的这套强调对抗的体系中表现得非常好，他的防守表现大多像一名征战10年的老兵。他场均贡献约1次盖帽，而且感觉他通常能凭借时机把握抓到那些毫无防备的跳投球员。他以场均2.0次抢断领跑联盟，但他在领防端也破坏了太多的战术。你可以看到对手花费一半的进攻时间试图让汤普森换防离开他们的头号得分手，而他非常擅长绕过掩护，让这成为一项艰巨的任务。
德雷蒙德·格林 (Draymond Green)，金州勇士
还有很多其他出色的防守者在考虑范围内，但最终，将格林排除在名单之外几乎是不可能的。这支球队的防守是建立在格林的调度和吉米·巴特勒 (Jimmy Butler) 填补各处空缺的能力之上的。巴特勒的赛季在1月中旬因ACL撕裂而结束，现在，只有格林在那里试图维系一切。他承担了如此多的责任，并且覆盖了所有方面。他非常擅长在篮筐附近制造破坏。他切断禁区。他可以换防任何人。他能防守联盟中的巨兽。格林的防守执行力在目前看来已是老生常谈，但依然处于顶级水平。也许你会因为他球队的防守处于联盟平均水平而诟病他，但他正是球队能持续取得成功的原因。
***最艰难的遗珠：*戴森·丹尼尔斯 (Dyson Daniels)（亚特兰大）、多特（俄克拉荷马城）、杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)（底特律）、杰登·麦克丹尼尔斯 (Jaden McDaniels)（明尼苏达）
最佳新秀第一阵容
库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，达拉斯独行侠
我的意思是……这还用说吗。弗拉格是NBA见过的最令人印象深刻的青少年球员之一。他创造了一个又一个纪录。他可能仍会赢得年度最佳新秀，尽管看起来他会屈居第二。作为一个十几岁的新秀，弗拉格的防守做得相当好。他的关键球得分是一个巨大的惊喜，竟然这么早就展现了出来。他已经学会了如何成为一名优秀的组织者。他能抢篮板。弗拉格是货真价实的天才。
康·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂
克努佩尔很可能是年度最佳新秀，这在赛季开始前没人预料到。他已经是联盟中最好的射手之一了。他的防守相当扎实。他传球流畅，并用他的跑动制造混乱。克努佩尔全面的表现让他处于成为未来球队基石的位置。
VJ·艾奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，费城76人
在大多数赛季，艾奇库姆都会是ROY的有力竞争者。他只是碰巧在弗拉格和克努佩尔统治评选的赛季成为了新秀。但艾奇库姆对费城来说是完美的。他帮助泰瑞斯·马克西 (Tyrese Maxey) 打造了一个极具活力的后场，在六人队从以乔恩·恩比德 (Joel Embiid) 为中心转型的过程中，奠定了球队的基调和身份。艾奇库姆在攻防两端都贡献了许多精彩的表现。他是一个轻松入选的人选。
德里克·奎恩持球突破多伦多的防线。（Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images）
德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
与新秀赛季的前几个月相比，奎恩的表现确实有所下滑，尤其是随着鹈鹕在下半赛季变得更加认真地追求胜利。但他所做的已经足以赢得这项荣誉。奎恩得分能力很强，而且是一名非常优秀的传球手。他展现出的技能证明了他的优势可以转化到NBA水平。
迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)，圣安东尼奥马刺
他没有得到其他同学那样的关注，但哈珀可能是我最喜欢看的新秀。他改变速度、掌控节奏以及在篮下终结的能力，让他看起来像是在联盟里打了近十年球。哈珀非常清楚在场上哪里可以填补空缺，以及什么时候该在进攻端接管比赛。马刺有很多优秀的年轻球员，但哈珀的表现已经让一些人开始怀疑，他们未来是否还需要德阿隆·福克斯 (De’Aaron Fox) 及其合同。
最佳新秀第二阵容
塞德里克·考沃德 (Cedric Coward)，孟菲斯灰熊
三分命中率没有保持住，但考虑到孟菲斯的状况，考沃德打出了非凡的篮球表现。就像去年的杰伦·威尔斯 (Jaylen Wells) 一样，考沃德被推到了一个比预期大得多的责任位置上。他很难被挡在第一阵容之外，但总得有人落选。
艾斯·贝利 (Ace Bailey)，犹他爵士
贝利是另一个很难被挡在第一阵容之外的球员。他带着大量的不确定性进入NBA，这其实并非他自己的错，他的形象立刻受到了打击。但他在爵士的表现兑现了那些潜力。贝利的状态月复一月地起伏不定。这可能让他无缘第一阵容，但他确实能得分，也确实会打球。
杰里迈亚·菲尔斯 (Jeremiah Fears)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
菲尔斯的投篮数据和效率并不理想，但他已经有足够的时刻证明他是这个联盟的首发控卫。看起来他正以强劲的表现结束这个赛季，你会希望看到他将这种状态延续到明年。
马克西姆·雷诺 (Maxime Raynaud)，萨克拉门托国王
是的，一名二轮秀入选了！国王队一直处于混乱中，多曼塔斯·萨博尼斯 (Domantas Sabonis) 缺席了大部分赛季。雷诺从中受益匪浅。这位42号秀展现出了处理各种事情的能力。他闪现了跳投能力，能传球，而且在篮筐附近和禁区的得分能力非常强。雷诺打出了一些伟大的比赛，他理应获得一个席位。
柯林·默里-博伊尔斯 (Collin Murray-Boyles)，多伦多猛龙
默里-博伊尔斯所做的贡献和出场时间足以让他压过其他几位新秀。他的数据不会让你惊艳，但他在防守端足够值得信赖，尽管注册身高只有6英尺7英寸，却为猛龙打了很长时间的中锋。默里-博伊尔斯看起来可以成为一个典型的粘合剂球员。
***最艰难的遗珠：*特雷·约翰逊 (Tre Johnson)（华盛顿）、胡戈·冈萨雷斯 (Hugo González)（波士顿）、希恩·詹姆斯 (Sion James)（夏洛特）、瑞安·卡尔克布伦纳 (Ryan Kalkbrenner)（夏洛特）、尼克·克利福德 (Nique Clifford)（萨克拉门托）
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：NBA All-Defensive, All-Rookie teams: Expect Wemby, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and more
NBA All-Defensive, All-Rookie teams: Expect Wemby, Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel and more
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, with a little more than a week left in the season, it feels like a good time to check in on the All-Defensive and All-Rookie possibilities.
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 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 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.
All-Defensive First Team
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs
Wembanyama is running away with Defensive Player of the Year, so obviously, he’s going to be on the All-Defensive First Team. Back in 2012 and again in 2013, the Defensive Player of the Year actually did not make the All-Defensive First Team. They were named to the Second Team. Marc Gasol won the award in 2013, but Tyson Chandler andJoakim Noah tied for the big man spot on the First Team. Chandler won the award in 2012 but was also on the Second Team. Dwight Howard made it over him as the center. We also had this in 1995 with Dikembe Mutombo (David Robinson over him) winning the award and Alvin Robertson in 1986 (likely lost out to Sidney Moncrief for the First Team voting).
That won’t happen anymore … I think? The reason for it back then was that coaches voted for All-Defensive teams, and the media voted for DPOY. Since 2014, the media have voted for both. Also, keep in mind that these teams are now positionless.
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City Thunder
There are better defenders on the Thunder, which is not a knock on Holmgren. But he might be their most important defender this season, which is why he was the betting favorite for DPOY in the middle of the season. The Thunder have a lot of guys like Lu Dort, Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace who can really put pressure on the perimeter. Jalen Williams (when healthy) is an All-Defensive player. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is a great defensive player. But a big part of why they can be so aggressive on the perimeter is knowing Holmgren is back there to clean up any spillage. His shot-blocking timing has become elite, and he’s not getting pushed around nearly as much as he used to. His positioning has improved, and the Thunder continue to be the No. 1 defense because of all this working in a symbiotic way.
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
During the first half of the season, a lot of people were arguing that Gobert could be on his way to a record fifth DPOY award. He’s currently tied with Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace with four. But then, Wembanyama came back from injury and was just better. However, Gobert has been excellent defensively for most of this season. He’s defended in space extremely well, which is something he often gets skewered for online. He can still look funny trying to move his feet against perimeter guys, but he’s able to make up for a lot of it with his timing and wingspan. The Wolves are top five in the league in defensive rating because of Gobert. Their defensive rating drops by 7.6 points per 100 possessions when he’s on the bench.
Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
Erik Spoelstra is almost always going to coach an elite defense, but the Heat have remained a top-10 defense this season despite dramatically changing their style of play. When it was a grind-it-out style with limited possessions, the Heat were constantly relying on Adebayo to set the tone, cover everything and keep them focused in these slogs of games. Now that the Heat have thrown their pace into warp speed, they’re still one of the better defensive teams in the NBA. That’s not easy to do in the organized chaos of such a fast style of play. Adebayo is the guy who keeps it all together. He can guard anybody in the league. He can play big or small. He covers every area of the floor.
Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors
Barnes is one of the league’s most impressive individual defenders. He can guard pretty much anybody anywhere, and the Raptors have gone to some pretty small lineups (height-wise) because of his ability to adapt. Defense has fueled the Raptors’ success this season. They’re seventh in the NBA, and a big part of that is that Barnes being so disruptive. He’s quick enough to shut down a primary scorer and help where the ball gets swung but can still stick to his man enough that the re-catch is not a big threat to Toronto. Sometimes, it feels like there are two of him out there.
All-Defensive Second Team
Amen Thompson, Houston Rockets
Thompson is the toughest player to keep off the First Team. He was a no-brainer last year and even had some people wondering if he should win Defensive Player of the Year. Defense is such a difficult thing to parse out from the elite defensive players vying for these top honors because there aren’t great stats and metrics for it. When it comes to judging someone like Thompson, just watch how he defends. Thompson is so quick and physical. He seemingly cuts off the next move before the offensive player even knows they’re about to try it. And guys constantly have to pick up their dribble and find a teammate because they’re out of ideas. He makes you quit possessions so much.
Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City Thunder
Maybe it’s wrong to pick between Wallace and Dort, but essentially, that’s what I’m doing. Funny enough, Caruso does not qualify for this award because 1) he won’t get to 65 games, and 2) even if he did, he doesn’t get the requisite 20 minutes per game to qualify with the games he does play. Wallace gets the nod over Dort because of games (Wallace has played 10 more games) and minutes played (he has over 200 minutes more than Dort). That ended up being the tiebreaker between the two. Wallace is one of the most disruptive players at the point of attack, and he’s tremendous at swarming in help. He creates a lot of turnovers and doesn’t get cheap steals in the slightest.
OKC’s Cason Wallace clamps down on Detroit’s Kevin Huerter in a matchup between the No. 1 seeds in each conference. (Alonzo Adams / Imagn Images)
Derrick White, Boston Celtics
White is another player who’s tough to keep off the First Team, but there just isn’t any room at the inn. His defensive instincts and understanding are some of the highest in the league. He’s a brilliant defender all over the floor. Shots at the rim aren’t safe with him around. He navigates screens like he’s in liquid form. White is one of the best at moving his feet and cutting off a drive without needing to play physical defense, but he can also thrive playing physical defense. And the Celtics’ defense has completely fallen apart this season without him on the floor.
Ausar Thompson, Detroit Pistons
He’s also an extraordinary defender! Just like his brother. He’s been so good in this physical system installed by J.B. Bickerstaff, and he’s mostly defending like a 10-year veteran. He gets about a block per game, and it feels like he’s usually catching unsuspecting jump shooters with his timing on these. He’s leading the league in steals per game at 2.0, but he also just disrupts so many actions at the point of attack. You can see opponents spending half their shot clocks trying to get Thompson to switch away from their top scorer, and he’s excellent at navigating screens to make that a tall task.
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
There are a lot of other tremendous defenders up for consideration, but ultimately, it’s pretty impossible to leave Green off this list. This team defense was built around Green’s orchestration and Jimmy Butler’s ability to fill in everywhere. Butler’s season ended in mid-January with the ACL tear, and now, it’s just Green out there trying to keep it all together. He has so much responsibility, and he covers it all. He’s great at disrupting around the rim. He cuts off the paint. He switches onto anybody. He defends giants in the league. Green’s defensive execution is old news at this point, but it’s still elite. Maybe you knock him because his team’s defense is around league average, but he’s the reason they have continued success.
***Toughest omissions:*Dyson Daniels (Atlanta), Dort (OKC), Jalen Duren (Detroit), Jaden McDaniels (Minnesota)
All-Rookie First Team
Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
I mean … duh. Flagg has been one of the most impressive teenagers the NBA has ever seen. He’s set record after record. And he might still win Rookie of the Year, although it looks like he’ll finish second. Flagg can play defense pretty well for a teenage rookie. His clutch scoring has been a big surprise to happen so early. He’s learned how to be a good playmaker. He rebounds. Flagg is the real deal.
Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets
Knueppel is probably the Rookie of the Year, which nobody had going into this season. He’s one of the best shooters in the Association already. His defense has been pretty solid. He moves the ball and creates chaos with his movement. Knueppel’s all-around game has him in position to be a franchise piece moving forward.
VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers
Most seasons, Edgecombe would be heavily in the running for ROY. He just happens to be a rookie in the season with Flagg and Knueppel dominating consideration. But Edgecombe has been perfect for Philadelphia. He helped create a very dynamic backcourt with Tyrese Maxey, setting the tone and identity for this Sixers team as it transitions from being centered around Joel Embiid. Edgecombe makes so many spectacular plays on both ends of the floor. He’s an easy selection.
Derik Queen drives through the Toronto defense. (Dan Hamilton / Imagn Images)
Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
Queen has certainly tailed off from the first few months of his rookie campaign, especially as the Pelicans have become more serious about trying to win games in the second half. But he’s done enough to earn this honor. Queen can really score, and he’s a very good passer. He’s displayed skills that prove his strengths transfer to the NBA level.
Dylan Harper, San Antonio Spurs
He’s not getting the pub that his other classmates are getting, but Harper might be my favorite rookie to watch. His ability to change speeds, play with pace and finish around the rim makes him look like he’s been in the league for almost a decade. Harper has a great understanding of where to fill in the gaps on the court and when to take charge on offense. The Spurs have a lot of great young players, but Harper is already making some wonder if they even need De’Aaron Fox and his contract moving forward.
All-Rookie Second Team
Cedric Coward, Memphis Grizzlies
The 3-point shooting didn’t hold up, but Coward has played exceptional basketball considering the conditions in Memphis. Much like Jaylen Wells last year, Coward has been thrust into a much bigger responsibility than you expected him to have. He’s a tough one to keep off the First Team, but someone had to get left off.
Ace Bailey, Utah Jazz
Bailey is another guy who is tough to keep from the First Team. He came into the NBA with a ton of uncertainty, really through no fault of his own, and his image took a hit right away. But his play for the Jazz has delivered on showing that potential. Bailey has been up and down from month to month. That probably keeps him from the First Team, but he can really score and really play.
Jeremiah Fears, New Orleans Pelicans
The shooting numbers and efficiency aren’t there for Fears, but he’s had enough moments to show he’s a starting point guard in this league. It looks like he’s finishing the season strong, and you’d like to see him carry that over into next year.
Maxime Raynaud, Sacramento Kings
Yes, a second-round pick makes it! The Kings have been a mess, and Domantas Sabonis missed most of the season. Raynaud has benefited a lot from that. The 42nd pick has shown a lot of ability to do different things. He’s flashed a jumper. He can pass it. And he is really good at scoring around the rim and in the paint. Raynaud’s had some big games, and he deserves a spot.
Collin Murray-Boyles, Toronto Raptors
Murray-Boyles has done enough and played just enough to give him the nod over a couple of other rookies. His numbers won’t blow you away, but he’s been trustworthy enough on defense to play a lot of center for the Raptors, despite being listed at 6-foot-7. Murray-Boyles looks like he can be a quintessential glue guy.
***Toughest omissions:*Tre Johnson (Washington), Hugo González (Boston), Sion James (Charlotte), Ryan Kalkbrenner (Charlotte), Nique Clifford (Sacramento)
By Zach Harper, via The Athletic