NBA midseason awards watch: Wemby, Chet locked in DPOY tug of war
Welcome to a recurring look at the top contenders for the NBA's various individual awards.
Rookie of the Year
The Sixers need Edgecombe, the only Rookie of the Year contender on a playoff team, to reach their potential, which makes his clutch plays and 3-point shooting (37.4% from deep) even more impressive. Averaging 15.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 4.2 assists, Edgecombe's athleticism and downhill driving make him a perfect backcourt pairing alongside Tyrese Maxey.
Knueppel leads all eligible rookies in points (19) and 3-point percentage (43.5%). His constant movement, on-ball abilities, playmaking, shooting, and even his defense are further along than anyone anticipated. While the Hornets have major decisions to make about some of Knueppel's teammates, the Duke product is a franchise-building block.
Instead of hitting a rookie wall, Flagg has used this season as a springboard. In December, he averaged 23.5 points, 6.2 rebounds, and 4.8 assists, and he seems increasingly more comfortable exploding to the rim and operating in the mid-range. While his 3-point shooting is disappointing, that's common for high-usage rookies. He's been the catalyst behind Dallas' recent 6-3 surge.
Defensive Player of the Year
Gobert is back to protecting the rim at an elite level. Opponents are shooting 51.7% when he's at the rim, according to Synergy, on par with his previous award-winning seasons. The Timberwolves' defense is also 11 points per 100 possessions worse when Gobert is off the floor, a staggering number for the league's 10th-best defense. Gobert deserves consideration to add a fifth DPOY trophy to his mantle.
Holmgren is the anchor of the league's best defense, with OKC owning a 105.2 defensive rating. The Thunder big man protects the rim as well as anyone and possesses solid rotational instincts, often dissuading or blocking shots at the basket. Holmgren is tied with Wembanyama for the league's second-most blocks.
If Wembanyama reaches the 65-game threshold required for award eligibility, he'll unanimously win Defensive Player of the Year. He's tied for second in blocks (76) while playing 14 fewer games than Jay Huff, whose 93 blocks top the NBA. The Spurs' defense also allows nearly 10 fewer points per 100 possessions when Wembanyama is on the court. The 22-year-old can't miss more than three contests the rest of the season to qualify, which seems like a long shot for a player who's dealt with various injuries.
Most Improved Player
As the Magic cope with a revolving door of injuries to Paolo Banchero, Franz Wagner, and Jalen Suggs, Black has steadied the ship for the 23-19 Magic. Black is Orlando's fourth-leading scorer, averaging 15.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, and four assists. Those numbers are a sizable leap from the 9.4 points, 3.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds he posted last season. He's also become a more reliable 3-point threat.
The Jazz have a Keyonte George problem. The 22-year-old guard's impressive leap is helping Utah win more games than expected, jeopardizing the team's tanking goals of maintaining its top-eight protected pick. He's recording a career-high 24.4 points and 6.7 assists per game on 37.6% 3-point shooting, up from 16.8 points and 5.6 assists last season. George scored a career-high 43 points Tuesday night. He should be part of the Jazz's future.
Avdija has dramatically boosted his game, increasing his scoring average from 16.9 to 26.2 and nearly doubling his assist numbers. He showed flashes of this production in the final months of last season, but who could have anticipated him becoming a certified All-Star and top-20 player? Avdija is one of three players averaging at least 25 points, six rebounds, and six assists this season. The other two are Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic. Avdija leads the league in drives, ranks second in free-throw attempts, and is lifting Portland to a surprising .500 record and the ninth seed.
Sixth Man of the Year
Although the Heat's offense has fizzled out, Jaquez is still having a career year, scoring 15.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 4.7 assists. While his shooting remains a liability, his downhill driving and playmaking have made incredible strides. Jaquez is often the primary option for the NBA's sixth-highest scoring bench unit.
Averaging a career-high 14.5 points and shooting 39% from deep on the highest 3-point volume of his career might be enough to gift Reid his second Sixth Man trophy. As the Wolves' fourth-leading scorer, Reid has been pivotal as a stretch big while playing alongside and without Gobert.
Johnson, the longest-tenured Spur, has seen his role change frequently in his seven seasons in San Antonio. But he might have found his best fit this season as a game-changing 3-and-D sixth man. Johnson is averaging 13.3 points - the team's fifth-highest - on 41% 3-point shooting and perfectly complements the Spurs' guard trio and towering Frenchman.
Coach of the Year
The Suns entered the season projected to win just 31.5 games on theScore Bet. Yet, they've already won 27 contests and sit in sixth in the West. Alongside Dillon Brooks, Jordan Ott has established a culture of relentless defense and uncanny effort. The commitment has propelled Phoenix's defense to sixth-best in the league, fuelling the club's unpredictable rise.
In Bickerstaff's first year with the Pistons, the team made NBA history by tripling its win total from the previous season. In his second campaign, the Pistons have already secured 31 victories and are on pace for 60 wins. With the league's second-best net rating and a 5.5-game lead for first place in the East, Bickerstaff has rebuilt the culture in Detroit.
Mazzulla couldn't fathom a gap year. After losing Jayson Tatum, Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, and Luke Kornet, the Celtics weren't expected to compete for a playoff spot. Instead, they're the second seed with a shocking 26-16 record. No one values possessions as much as Boston, which attempts the second-most threes, boasts the second-best turnover rate, and ranks sixth in offensive rebounding percentage.
Most Valuable Player
Brown is playing the most significant role of his career, with a usage rate that's not only his personal best but also the second-highest in the league. He ranks fourth in scoring, averaging a career-high 29.8 points on 48% shooting from the field and 36% from three. Without Tatum, the Celtics rely on Brown as their primary, and often only, creator. He's turned Boston into the NBA's second-best offense behind his downhill driving and effective pull-up shooting.
Doncic leads the league in scoring with 33.5 points per game and stands alone as the only player averaging at least 30 points, seven rebounds, and seven assists. His outstanding performance is the only reason the Lakers are hovering above the play-in, no small feat considering LeBron James missed the first few weeks of the season and Austin Reaves hasn't played since Christmas. If his team were better and he was more committed defensively, Doncic would be favored to win his first MVP.
Without Jokic in contention, Gilgeous-Alexander has distanced himself from the field. Barring a major injury, he'll become the first back-to-back MVP winner since Jokic in 2021 and '22. He sits second in the NBA in scoring, averaging 31.8 points per game, and leads in both isolation and pick-and-roll efficiency. Most importantly, Gilgeous-Alexander is the two-way engine for the best team.
Sam Oshtry is a sports writer at theScore. You can follow him on X @soshtry for more basketball coverage.
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