In an unusual NBA year, as the second half of the season is underway, let’s take a look at the top contenders for each major NBA award.
Most Valuable Player: Joel Embiid
Embiid has long demonstrated the potential for the kind of season he is having, but to see him realize that potential is fantastic to see, especially after years of injury-shortened years.
In the 2021 NBA season, Embiid has posted what is widely considered to be the most versatile scoring season ever. Embiid is averaging 30 points, 11 rebounds, on all time great percentages for a center, converting 41% of his attempts from three and 85% on free throws. Along with his personal bests, he has led the Philadelphia 76ers to the top seed in the Eastern Conference thus far.
Embiid has solidified his status as a MVP frontrunner with an arsenal of top-notch performances in his 2021 campaign, scoring 38 or more points seven times, with the 76ers earning a record of 6-1 in those games.
Barring a season-ending injury, Embiid is the clear MVP of the league. This status should serve as a testament to Embiid’s dominance, as career years from Damian Lillard, Luka Doncic and Kawhi Leonard stand little chance.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is playing like the two time defending MVP he is, but the ground has shifted around him. The only realistic challenger Embiid has at this point is Lebron James, who has so far played every game and has turned in a great season in his 18th year.
While the Brooklyn Nets sport one of the most intimidating cores in the Eastern Conference with the trio of superstars Kevin Durant, James Harden, and Kyrie Irving, Embiid is the one player no team wants to face this season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Ben Simmons
While Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert is the popular favorite and the reigning DPOTY, largely due to his dominant paint defense, rim protection and shot blocking ability, his flaws on the defensive side of the ball have been brought to light this season. Despite his historic proficiency in protecting the paint, he simply cannot be played against certain lineups, especially against talented big men such as Embiid and Jokic who can stretch the floor.
The NBA has become increasingly dependent on spacing, and the Defensive Player of the Year award cannot go to somebody whose defensive quality is so dependent on the makeup of the opposing lineup.
On the other hand, Philadelphia 76ers guard Ben Simmons has locked down guards, forwards, and centers alike this year. His defense is a big reason why the 76ers are on top of the East. His 6 foot 9 height means he can stick with bigger players, and his off-the-charts athleticism gives him the versatility to defend guards in the perimeter.
Rookie of the Year: LaMelo Ball
Drafted third overall by the Charlotte Hornets, LaMelo Ball has exceeded all expectations this season headed into his rookie years. His numbers of 15 points, 6 assists and 6 rebounds lead all rookies this season. Furthermore, he has the Charlotte Hornets in position to make a return to the playoffs.
Ball’s presence of the court has been unmatched this season. As he enters the game, it seems like anything is possible. From a deep three-pointer, to a crosscourt, behind the back, pinpoint pass or a thunderous alley-oop sequence, Ball has fans at the edge of their seats whenever the ball is in his hands.
To put it simply, he has put the Charlotte Hornets back in the spotlight, after years of irrelevance. One statistic quite accurately shows his brilliance this year: LaMelo is the sixth player in NBA history to lead all rookies in total points, rebounds, and assists at the All-Star break. The previous five went on to win ROY and four of them went on to have Hall Of Fame careers.
Barring any drastic struggles in the second-half of the season, Ball already has the Rookie of the Year award locked up.
Most Improved Player: Jerami Grant
Some may believe Julius Randle deserves this award and rightfully so. Randle has certainly made strides as a playmaker, and has shown overall improvement while playing winning basketball for a feisty Knicks team. Despite this, Randle had always flashed that All-Star potential.
Conversely, Detroit Piston forward Jerami Grant is an entirely different case. Until this past season, Jerami Grant has held a reputation as a good shooter, and a valuable player in the rotation, but still a role player.
As a member of the Denver Nuggets last season, Grant averaged 12 points and operated under the role of a “stretch-four,” a player that could provide spacing with shooting but also the size of a big man. The idea that he had All-Star potential was a stretch to say the least.
Ultimately, Grant believed in his own potential, leaving a successful Nuggets team for a team where he could operate as the focal point of an offense. Despite doubts from critics when the Detroit Pistons signed Grant away with a three-year, 60-million dollar deal, Grant’s contract instantly began to look like a bargain as the season began.
He has doubled his production from last season, averaging 24 points, five rebounds and three assists, and racking up 16 games in which he scored 25-plus points, and eight in which he scored more than 30.
Sixth man of the year: Jordan Clarkson
Clarkson is the frontrunner, and it isn’t particularly close. He has provided a fantastic scoring punch off the bench for the league leading Utah Jazz, averaging 18 points while averaging just 26 minutes a game.
Long dismissed as simply an inefficient scorer lacking in defensive effort, he has shown improvement with shot selection, finally neglecting the inefficient midrange jumper.
He is shooting 45% from the field, and 37% from three, but most dramatically, he is also experiencing massive improvement from the free throw line. With an excellent previous career high of 83% from the charity stripe, Clarkson is converting a league leading 97% of his free-throw attempts.
Advanced stats agree with this being a career season. Clarkson has career highs in the following categories: Offensive rating, defensive rating, value over replacement player, Win Shares per 48 minutes, etc.
Moreover, Clarkson’s improvements across the board is a pivotal reason for the Jazz’s position as the top seed in a killer Western Conference field.
Article by Ethan Lenkin of Wootton High School
Photo courtesy of All-Pro Reels under a Creative Commons BY-SA 2.0 License