Every year, putting together an NBA awards ballot is supposed to be about one thing—who was the best.
This year? It wasn’t that simple.
The 65-game rule turned what should’ve been a straightforward process into one of the most debated, confusing award races in recent memory. Between injuries, eligibility questions, and exceptions, it felt like you had to check a rulebook before you could even talk about who deserved what.
Still, after all of that, here’s where I landed.
MVP: Nikola Jokić
This one wasn’t complicated for me.
While other stars dealt with missed games and eligibility concerns, Nikola Jokić just showed up—and dominated. Night after night, he was the most reliable, impactful player in the league. No drama, no questions, just production.
In a chaotic season, he was the one constant.
Defensive Player of the Year: Victor Wembanyama
Victor Wembanyama isn’t just a great defender—he’s changing the game.
His ability to protect the rim, switch, and completely alter offenses makes him the most disruptive defensive force in the NBA right now. Teams don’t just play against him—they adjust entire game plans because of him.
That’s DPOY.
Coach of the Year: Joe Mazzulla
Winning still matters.
Joe Mazzulla led one of the most consistent, dominant teams in the league this season. In a year where a lot of teams dealt with inconsistency, his group delivered at a high level from start to finish.
That deserves recognition.
Rookie of the Year: Cooper Flagg
The hype is real.
Cooper Flagg came into the league with massive expectations—and somehow exceeded them. From day one, he looked like a future superstar, impacting games on both ends and showing maturity beyond his years.
This feels like the start of something big.
Most Improved Player: Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Every year there’s a breakout—and this year, it’s Nickeil Alexander-Walker.
He took a major leap, carved out a bigger role, and became a real difference-maker. This isn’t just improvement—it’s transformation.
Final Thoughts
This should’ve been about basketball.
Instead, the 65-game rule made it about availability, technicalities, and debates that shouldn’t exist when the best players are clearly the best players.
But even with all that noise, one thing still stood out:
The stars showed up.
And the future of the NBA is in very good hands.
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