By Zach Harper | The Athletic, 2026-04-09 06:00:37
NBA常规赛已接近尾声，这是2025-26赛季最后的“奖项观察”。在撰写本文时，我尚未提交正式选票，也未对任何具体投票做出最终承诺。但我将利用这个空间梳理思路，在正式递交选票前尝试得出一些结论。
如果你一直在关注本专栏，可能已经读过奖项观察的大致走向，那么让我们直接进入正题。（Bet MGM赔率及各项数据统计截止至周三比赛前。）
MVP（最有价值球员）
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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 | 科怀·伦纳德 (Kawhi Leonard)，洛杉矶快船
5. 杰伦·布伦森 (Jalen Brunson)，纽约尼克斯
由于凯德·坎宁安 (Cade Cunningham)、卢卡·东契奇 (Luka Dončić) 甚至安东尼·爱德华兹 (Anthony Edwards) 的伤病，填补MVP选票变得相当令人困惑。东契奇可能会因为因孩子出生缺席两场比赛的特殊情况而在评选中获得同情分，届时将他纳入讨论是非常容易的。但在情况明朗之前，你不得不寻找第五人选，我想那个人就是布伦森。杜兰特也在我的重点考虑之列，但在休斯顿的情况并未完全按计划进行。布伦森凭借领导这支优秀的尼克斯队时那份从容、稳健的表现，拥有一个简单且扎实的入选理由。
4. 杰伦·布朗 (Jaylen Brown)，波士顿凯尔特人
凯尔特人全赛季都上演着“送葬者从棺材中坐起”般的强势崛起，他们让那些关于“空窗年”的预言显得滑稽至极。球场上的大部分功劳要归功于布朗，他将自己的比赛提升到了一个新的高度。这是我们见过的他在进攻端表现最出色的一个赛季。除此之外，他还是一个令人生畏的防守者。他的价值非常特殊。
3. 尼古拉·约基奇 (Nikola Jokić)，丹佛掘金（夺奖赔率 +6600）
如果约基奇能延续赛季前两个月的表现，他很可能会成为我的MVP首选。当时他的执行力和卓越程度是历史级的，即便对他自己而言也是如此。场均近28分，投篮命中率60%，三分命中率40%，同时还领跑全联盟的篮板和助攻榜，这本该让他成为一个无可争议的选择。但自从膝盖受伤后，他的失误似乎增多了，效率也不如从前。他在场上依然表现神勇，而且在大多数日子里，他可以说就是那个最有价值的人。但在这样的竞争中，你必须吹毛求疵。
2. 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，圣安东尼奥马刺 (+2500)
这个排名假设文班能够凭借他的肋骨挫伤在65场比赛规则中灵活周旋，并保住获奖资格。如果真是这样，他为了挑战现任MVP打出了一段极其精彩的表现。他在攻防两端的统治力是我们罕见的。他注定会赢得多个MVP和多个最佳防守球员奖项，而且这些奖项肯定会在同一年降临。这将使他步入顶级巨星的行列。他只是在这个赛季中，在MVP级别的持续性上还稍欠火候，不足以从头号热门手中夺走这一奖项。
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 -10000）
在吉尔杰斯-亚历山大打破连续20+得分场次纪录的赛季里说这话可能有点荒谬，但这位雷霆球星的稳定性可能还是被低估了。截至目前，他成为MVP首选的原因有两点：
- 他表现极佳。他在每一场比赛中所展现的产出、影响力和破坏力都极难被超越。在进攻端没人能阻挡他，他在场时球队的表现远好于他不在场时。他让对手感到无比沮丧，并带领球队取得了全联盟最佳战绩，尤其是考虑到杰伦·威廉姆斯 (Jalen Williams) 本赛季参与度如此之低的情况下。
- 稳定性。吉尔杰斯-亚历山大真的没有状态低迷的夜晚。除了因腹部伤势缺席的几场比赛外，他的队友们知道他永远值得信赖。其他所有角逐该奖项的球员在赛季中都经历过起伏。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 大约90%
Defensive Player of the Year（最佳防守球员）
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两名荣誉提名： 斯科蒂·巴恩斯 (Scottie Barnes)，多伦多猛龙 | 巴姆·阿德巴约 (Bam Adebayo)，迈阿密热火
3. 鲁迪·戈贝尔 (Rudy Gobert)，明尼苏达森林狼
在巴恩斯、戈贝尔和阿德巴约之间筛选第三名确实有点困难，汤普森兄弟也是值得考虑的名字。戈贝尔最终凭借影响力和稳定性锁定了第三。虽然戈贝尔经常成为笑料，但他的防守威慑力是巨大的。没有他在场，森林狼谁也防不住；而他在场时，他们的防守近乎精英级别。是的，他在网上有很多滑稽的片段，但总的来说，他在换防单防和护筐方面的表现非常出色。
2. 切特·霍姆格伦 (Chet Holmgren)，雷霆 (+550)
如果文班没有资格，霍姆格伦将是“谁会赢得DPOY”的最简单答案。雷霆拥有全联盟最好的防守，而霍姆格伦几乎整个赛季都是防守核心。他是一名非常出色的盖帽手，且不会为了封盖而盲目失位。以赛亚·哈尔滕施泰因 (Isaiah Hartenstein) 缺席了33场比赛，威廉姆斯缺席了56场。这两位都是俄克拉荷马城非常重要的防守力量，而霍姆格伦在他们缺阵期间撑起了整条防线。
1. 维克托·文班亚马 (Victor Wembanyama)，马刺（夺奖赔率 -5000）
关于这个奖项唯一的悬念就是文班亚马是否符合评选资格。他在防守端是最大的改变者。他轻而易举地成为了联盟最佳护筐手，并经常迫使一些顶尖进攻球员在决定如何挑战他时不得不做出“商业决策”（避其锋芒）。而这仅仅是个开始。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 100%
Rookie of the Year（最佳新秀）
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两名荣誉提名： 迪伦·哈珀 (Dylan Harper)，马刺 | 德里克·奎恩 (Derik Queen)，新奥尔良鹈鹕
3. VJ·艾奇库姆 (VJ Edgecombe)，费城76人 (+50000)
我认为有充分的理由将哈珀排在这个位置，因为他作为圣安东尼奥的替补发挥了巨大作用。但从整个赛季的完整性来看，艾奇库姆的表现更为稳定。正如在MVP讨论中提到的，稳定性至关重要。新秀表现的稳定性可能会决定这份名单上另外两人之间的胜负。不过，艾奇库姆的表现一直很出色，换做其他年份，他都会是夺冠的热门人选。
2. 库珀·弗拉格 (Cooper Flagg)，达拉斯独行侠（夺奖赔率 -275）
1. 孔·克努佩尔 (Kon Knueppel)，夏洛特黄蜂 (+175)
这是一个艰难的选择，因为从每一个角度分析弗拉格与克努佩尔的对比都会让我改变主意。最终，我现在更倾向于克努佩尔的稳定性，但我可能会在几个方面改变主意……甚至在这句话结束之前。
弗拉格是这届新秀中最好的球员，但这并不意味着他打出了最好的赛季。据我所知，投票时考虑的不是“谁将成为最好的球员”，而仅仅是哪位新秀打出了最好的赛季。弗拉格最近的历史级爆发——在两场比赛中狂砍96分，成为自威尔特·张伯伦 (Wilt Chamberlain) 以来首位做到这一点的新秀（张伯伦曾五次做到）——让每个人都暂停了对克努佩尔的加冕。理由很充分！
那次爆发提醒了人们，在2月和3月因脚踝扭伤缺席8场比赛之前，弗拉格有多么优秀。但在他回来后，直到最近他的效率一直很低。这就是全部吗？不。你可以说他是NBA中产量最高的关键球球员之一，还有他的防守和全能表现。对于克努佩尔来说，稳定性确实意味着很多。他的产出从未经历过长时间的下滑。没有任何新秀能在场均至少18分的情况下拥有更高的真实命中率。他还帮助黄蜂队扭转了局面，这让他能在比达拉斯更关键的比赛中打出这样的表现。这就像抛硬币一样难选，但目前我更倾向于克努佩尔。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 大约40%
夏洛特的孔·克努佩尔在黄蜂冲击季后赛的过程中，一直在参加关键的赛季末段比赛。(David Butler II / Imagn Images)
Sixth Man of the Year（最佳第六人）
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两名荣誉提名： 纳兹·里德 (Naz Reid)，森林狼 | 里德·谢泼德 (Reed Sheppard)，火箭
3. 小蒂姆·哈达威 (Tim Hardaway Jr.)，掘金 (+6600)
里德、谢泼德和哈达威在第三名的争夺上非常激烈。如果阿杰·米切尔 (Ajay Mitchell) 没有缺席20多场比赛，你甚至可以把他加进来。哈达威（13.5分）、谢泼德（13.6分）和里德（13.5分）的得分数据非常接近。里德能提供篮板和盖帽；谢泼德能提供助攻和一两个抢断；哈达威则是三人中投射最好的。他也是这三人中最稳定的，这让他微弱领先，得以进入最终名单。
2. 小海梅·哈克斯 (Jaime Jaquez Jr.)，热火 (+350)
在经历了一个辉煌的新秀赛季和艰难的大二赛季后，哈克斯重新找回了节奏。他的外线投篮还不够稳定，但他在提供大量得分的同时，投篮命中率超过了50%。他作为替补场均还能送出超过4次助攻并抓下约5个篮板。他在帮助迈阿密重塑高产进攻体系方面发挥了巨大作用。哈克斯对热火如此重要，以至于你经常在等待他上场时，才觉得热火的比赛真正开始了。
1. 凯尔登·约翰逊 (Keldon Johnson)，马刺 (-400)
约翰逊是这五人中得分最低的（13.0分），但感觉他的影响力最大。以他的体型和位置，他的篮板能力经常让马刺队可以打得更小。他是一名打法像大前锋的小前锋，类似于队友哈里森·巴恩斯 (Harrison Barnes) 多年来扮演的完美角色球员。约翰逊的三分命中率为36.9%，高于联盟平均水平，尽管每个月之间会有所波动。但他的投篮、防守和整体影响力一直很稳健，帮助圣安东尼奥拿到了西部第二。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 大约90%
Coach of the Year（最佳教练）
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两名荣誉提名： 奎因·斯奈德 (Quin Snyder)，亚特兰大老鹰 | 查尔斯·李 (Charles Lee)，黄蜂
3. 米奇·约翰逊 (Mitch Johnson)，马刺 (+3000)
接替格雷格·波波维奇 (Gregg Popovich) 绝非易事。在竞争激烈的西部突围绝非易事。拥有一群年轻的核心球员，即便他们才华横溢，也绝非易事。尝试从一支连附加赛都进不了的球队一跃成为西部第二，这几乎是不可能的。约翰逊成功解决了所有这些潜在问题，马刺队正蒸蒸日上。我知道博彩赔率很高，但如果他最终拿走这个奖项，我一点也不会感到惊讶。
2. J.B.·比克斯塔夫 (J.B. Bickerstaff)，底特律活塞 (-325)
自11月第一周以来，活塞队一直占据着东部第一的位置。这本不该发生。尽管在赛季最后几周失去了坎宁安，他们依然没有让这个位置旁落。比克斯塔夫去年就有充分的理由获奖，今年亦然。他是头号热门，但他并没有像我倾向的那个人那样，如此彻底地打破了人们的预期。
1. 乔·马祖拉 (Joe Mazzulla)，凯尔特人 (+300)
赢得这个被他称为愚蠢的奖项会让马祖拉生气吗？还是他内心深处其实很想要它？我们可能很快就会知道答案。凯尔特人本不该如此出色，这支波士顿原本被认为只是附加赛级别的球队。相反，他们现在极有可能是赢得东部冠军的头号热门。是的，布朗在场上的推动作用巨大。但马祖拉的执教让轮换阵容中的每一名球员都成为了能够贡献力量的威胁。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 大约20%
Most Improved Player（最快进步球员）
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两名荣誉提名： 杰伦·约翰逊 (Jalen Johnson)，老鹰 | 德尼·阿夫迪亚 (Deni Avdija)，波特兰开拓者
3. 瑞安·罗林斯 (Ryan Rollins)，密尔沃基雄鹿
罗林斯是本赛季进步最励志的故事之一。不幸的是，雄鹿队一直处于混乱之中，以至于这被忽视了。在他的前三个赛季的大部分时间里，罗林斯一直是一名边缘球员。今年，他从一名深层轮换控卫变成了一名名副其实的首发。他的出场时间翻了一倍多，但产出却翻了三倍，且没有损失任何效率。他的场均得分从6.2分飙升至17.2分，而真实命中率仅从60%微降至58.4%。得分翻三倍且效率基本持平，这是真正的进步。他的组织能力也提高了很多。
2. 杰伦·杜伦 (Jalen Duren)，活塞 (+400)
坎宁安缺阵的这段时间很有可能让杜伦脱颖而出。他在整个赛季的得分和防守端都展现出了巨大的成长。他在场上的领导力变得更好了。在赛季的最后阶段，他变成了一个制造罚球并将其转化的怪兽。如果他能展现出更多的组织能力或中距离投篮，他可能会轻松拿走这个奖项。
1. 尼基尔·亚历山大-沃克 (Nickeil Alexander-Walker)，老鹰 (-500)
特雷·杨 (Trae Young) 被交易到华盛顿在一定程度上成就了他。但亚历山大-沃克目前是我心目中MIP的首选。他掌控进攻的能力，无论是作为组织者还是得分手，每个月都在稳步提升。除了糟糕的2月份，他本赛季的投篮准星极高。他与杰伦·约翰逊（另一位MIP候选人）分担了大量的进攻发起任务，但如果没有亚历山大-沃克相较于上赛季的进步，老鹰队不可能打得这么好。而且他依然是一名非常出色的防守者。他的进步如此之大，以至于下赛季看到他入选全明星也不会令人惊讶。
我对这一投票的确定程度： 大约80%
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：Final NBA Awards predictions: MVP near lock, chaos brewing in Rookie of the Year race
Final NBA Awards predictions: MVP near lock, chaos brewing in Rookie of the Year race
We’re at the end of the NBA regular season, and this is the final Awards Watch for 2025-26. As I write this, I have not submitted my official ballot, nor have I committed to any actual votes. But I’ll use this space to think out loud and try to figure out some conclusions before it’s time to send in my ballot.
If you’ve been following, you’ve probably read how the Awards Watch shakes out, so let’s get right into it. (Bet MGM odds and stats are entering Wednesday’s games.)
MVP
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Honorable mentions: Kevin Durant, Houston Rockets | Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers | Kawhi Leonard, LA Clippers
5. Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
The injuries to Cade Cunningham, Luka Dončić and even Anthony Edwards have made filling out the MVP ballot a pretty confusing situation. Dončić may win this appeal for his extreme circumstances involving missing two games for the birth of his child. At that point, it’s very easy to include him in the mix. But without that settled, you start searching for a fifth guy, and I guess that guy is Brunson. Durant is also heavily in consideration for me, but it hasn’t exactly gone to plan in Houston. Brunson has an easy, steady case to recognize with the way he leads a very good Knicks team.
4. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
The Celtics have been executing an “Undertaker sitting up from the casket” rise all season long, and they’ve made proclamations of a “gap year” look completely foolish. The majority of the credit on the court goes to Brown, who took his game to another level. This is the best we’ve ever seen him play on offense over the course of the season. And he’s been an awesome defender on top of that. His value has been special.
3. Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets (+6600 to win)
Jokić extending his play from the first two months of the season would have likely made him my pick for MVP. He was doing things at a level of execution and excellence that were historic, even for him. Nearly 28 points per game on 60 percent from the field and 40 percent from deep while also leading the league in rebounding and assists would have made him a very easy choice. But since his knee injury, the turnovers seem worse, and the efficiency isn’t nearly as great as it was before. He’s still been awesome on the court, and he’s arguably the most valuable most days. In a race like this, though, you have to nitpick.
2. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio Spurs (+2500)
This ranking assumes Wemby can Euro-step around the 65-game rule with his rib contusion and maintain awards eligibility. If so, he put on a heck of a run to challenge the reigning MVP. His play on both ends of the floor is something we’ve rarely seen. He is set up to win multiple MVPs and multiple Defensive Player of the Year awards, and those will surely come in the same years. That will move him into exclusive clubs. He just didn’t have a consistent enough season at that MVP level to grab this award away from the odds-on favorite.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder (-10000 to win)
It might be a little ridiculous to say during the season in which Gilgeous-Alexander broke the record for most consecutive 20-point games, but consistency with the Thunder star might go a little under-appreciated. The reasons he is the pick for MVP as of right now are two-fold.
- He’s been awesome. The production, the impact and the destruction he levies every single game are pretty tough to match. Nobody can stop him on offense, and the team is so much better with him on the floor than without him. He frustrates opponents to no end as he led his team to the best record in the league, especially when you factor in how little Jalen Williams has been a part of this season.
- The consistency. Gilgeous-Alexander really doesn’t have off nights. Other than when he missed a few games with an abdominal injury, his teammates know they can rely on him. Everybody else vying for the award has had some ups and downs in their season.
**How settled into this vote do I feel?**Probably 90 percent
Defensive Player of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Scottie Barnes, Toronto Raptors | Bam Adebayo, Miami Heat
3. Rudy Gobert, Minnesota Timberwolves
It’s a little tough sorting through Barnes, Gobert and Adebayo for this third spot. The Thompson twins are also names to consider. Gobert ultimately wins the third spot because of impact and consistency. While Gobert is certainly the butt of a lot of jokes, his defensive presence is massive. The Wolves can’t defend anybody without him on the floor, and they’re nearly elite with his presence out there. Yes, he has a lot of funny clips online, but overall, his defense in isolation and in protecting the rim has been great.
2. Chet Holmgren, Thunder (+550 to win)
Holmgren would be the easiest answer for “who wins DPOY if Wemby isn’t eligible?” The Thunder have the best defense in the league, and Holmgren has anchored that nearly all season. He’s a really good shot blocker who doesn’t sell out constantly to try to contest the attempt. Isaiah Hartenstein missed 33 games, and Williams has missed 56. Those are two very important defensive presences for OKC. Holmgren has helped hold this defense down in their absences.
1. Victor Wembanyama, Spurs (-5000 to win)
The only question about this award is whether Wembanyama will qualify. He has been the biggest difference-maker on defense. He’s easily the best rim protector in the league, and he regularly forces some of the best offensive players to make business decisions when deciding how to attack him. And it’s just the beginning.
How settled into this vote do I feel? 100 percent
Rookie of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Dylan Harper, Spurs | Derik Queen, New Orleans Pelicans
3. VJ Edgecombe, Philadelphia 76ers (+50000 to win)
I think there is a solid case to move Harper into this slot because of the impact he’s had coming off the bench for San Antonio. But in looking at the totality of the season, Edgecombe has been more consistent. As mentioned with MVP, that has to matter. Consistency in rookie performance may decide it between the other two guys on this list. Edgecombe has been excellent, though, and in a lot of other years, he’d be a leading candidate to win it.
**2. Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks (-275 to win)**1. Kon Knueppel, Charlotte Hornets (+175 to win)
This is a tough one, because every alternate angle and analysis dissecting Flagg against Knueppel makes me change my mind. Ultimately, I’ll roll with the consistency of Knueppel right now, but I could end up changing my mind a few ways … even by the end of this sentence.
Flagg is the best player in this rookie class, but that doesn’t mean he’s had the best season. And my knowledge of the award is not “who will be the best player” when you’re voting. It’s just whether one rookie had the best season. Flagg’s recent flurry into history, scoring 96 points in a two-game span and becoming the first rookie to do that since Wilt Chamberlain (he did it five times) has made everybody kind of halt the coronation of Knueppel. With good reason!
That flurry was a reminder of how good Flagg was before the foot sprain that cost him eight games in February and March. But when he came back, he was very inefficient until recently. Is that everything? No. You can talk about him being one of the higher-volume clutch guys in the NBA, his defense and his all-around game. For Knueppel, consistency does mean a lot. He hasn’t had extended dips in his production. No rookie has ever averaged at least 18 points with a higher true shooting percentage. He also helped turn the Hornets around, which has allowed him to do this in games that matter a lot more than what Dallas is doing. This is a coin flip, but I’m leaning toward Knueppel at the moment.
**How settled into this vote do I feel?**Probably at 40 percent
Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel has been playing meaningful late-season games as the Hornets push toward the playoffs. (David Butler II / Imagn Images)
Sixth Man of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Naz Reid, Timberwolves | Reed Sheppard, Rockets
3. Tim Hardaway Jr., Nuggets (+6600 to win)
There’s a lot of competition between Reid, Sheppard and Hardaway for this third spot. You could probably even throw Ajay Mitchell into the mix, had he not missed 20-plus games. Hardaway (13.5), Sheppard (13.6) and Reid (13.5) all have similar scoring numbers. Reid gives you some rebounds and a block. Sheppard gives you some assists and a steal or two. Hardaway gives you the best shooting of the trio. He’s also been the most consistent of those three, which gives him the slight edge to make the final ballot.
2. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Heat (+350 to win)
After a brilliant rookie season and a tough sophomore campaign, Jaquez found his groove again. His outside shooting isn’t there, but he makes over 50 percent of his shots while providing good volume scoring. He also throws over four assists and grabs about five boards a game off the bench. He’s been huge in helping Miami reshape its identity to a high-octane offense. Jaquez has been so good for the Heat that you’re often waiting for him to check into a Heat game to feel like things have finally started.
1. Keldon Johnson, Spurs (-400 to win)
Johnson is the lowest scorer (13.0) of these five, but it feels like he’s had the biggest impact. His rebounding at his size and position often allows the Spurs to play a little bit smaller. He’s a wing who plays like a power forward, similar to what has made teammate Harrison Barnes a perfect role player over the years. Johnson’s 3-point shooting is above league average at 36.9 percent, and it’s been a roller coaster from one month to the next. But his shot making, defense and overall impact have been steady in helping San Antonio get to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference.
**How settled into this vote do I feel?**Probably at 90 percent
Coach of the Year
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Two honorable mentions: Quin Snyder, Atlanta Hawks | Charles Lee, Hornets
3. Mitch Johnson, Spurs (+3000 to win)
Taking over for Gregg Popovich is tough. Navigating the West is tough. Having a young core, even as talented as it is, can be tough. Trying to jump from a non-Play-In team to the No. 2 seed in the West is nearly impossible. Johnson has managed to navigate all of those potential problems, and the Spurs are thriving. I know the betting odds are long, but it wouldn’t shock me if he walked away with this award.
2. J.B. Bickerstaff, Detroit Pistons (-325 to win)
Since the first week of November, the Pistons have held the No. 1 spot in the East. That wasn’t supposed to be the case. And despite losing Cunningham in the final weeks of the season, they still didn’t come close to relinquishing that spot. Bickerstaff had a great argument for winning the award last year, and he has a great argument for winning it this year. He’s the favorite, but he didn’t blow expectations out of the water as much as the guy I’m leaning toward.
1. Joe Mazzulla, Celtics (+300 to win)
Would it make Mazzulla mad to win what he calls a stupid award? Or does he secretly want it? We might find out pretty soon. The Celtics weren’t supposed to be close to this good. This version of Boston was supposed to be somewhere in the Play-In conversation. Instead, it could easily be the favorite to win the conference. Yes, Brown has been huge in driving that on the court. But Mazzulla’s coaching has made every player in the rotation a threat to contribute.
**How settled into this vote do I feel?**Probably at 20 percent
Most Improved Player
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Two honorable mentions: Jalen Johnson, Hawks | Deni Avdija, Portland Trail Blazers
3. Ryan Rollins, Milwaukee Bucks
Rollins is one of the better stories of improvement this season. Unfortunately, the Bucks have been such a mess that it keeps getting overlooked. Rollins has been a fringe NBA player for most of his first three seasons. This year, he went from a deep rotation point guard to a legitimate starter. His minutes more than doubled, but his production tripled without losing any efficiency. He went from 6.2 points to 17.2 points per game, but his true shooting went from 60 to 58.4 percent. Tripling his scoring and not really losing efficiency is true improvement. His playmaking got much better, too.
2. Jalen Duren, Pistons (+400 to win)
There’s a decent chance that the time with Cunningham sidelined puts Duren over the top. He showed great growth all season long scoring the ball and defensively. His leadership on the court has been better. And during the final stretch of the season, he’s become a monster at getting to the free-throw line and converting. If he showed a little more playmaking or a little more of a jumper, he might have run away with this award.
1. Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Hawks (-500 to win)
Some of this has been really helped by the Trae Young trade to Washington. But Alexander-Walker is currently my pick for MIP. His ability to run the offense, both as a playmaker and as a scorer, has ratcheted up every single month. Aside from a bad February, he shot the lights out this season. He shares so much of the initiation of that offense with Jalen Johnson (another MIP candidate), but the Hawks are not doing this well without Alexander-Walker’s improvement from last season. And he’s still a really good defender. He’s improved so much that it wouldn’t be shocking to see him as an All-Star next season.
**How settled into this vote do I feel?**Probably at 80 percent
By Zach Harper, via The Athletic