By Jacob Froman
The NBA season has officially hit its stride, and with enough games in the books, the regular season awards conversation is officially heating up. From superstars cementing their dominance to breakout players rising into the spotlight, this year’s race feels as competitive as ever. As teams battle for playoff position, individual performances are shaping the narratives that will define the second half of the season, making now the perfect moment to take stock of who’s leading the pack in the NBA’s midseason awards chase.
The most popular of the awards is the MVP, the award given to the most valuable player (but it has turned into an award for who is the best player). My three candidates for this award are Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Jaylen Brown. My favorite for the award, if he meets the game requirement, is Nikola Jokic.
His impact on the court is undeniable. At the center position, he leads his team in all categories and is in the top five in points, rebounds, and assists. He is fourth in the league in points and first in assists and rebounds. He really does it all. He is also incredibly efficient on top of that. In fact, he is putting up historical efficiency numbers.
Next up on the MVP ladder is Shai. Last year, he was the winner of this award, and this year, he continues to dominate. Being second in the league in scoring, averaging 31.9 points per game, he is unstoppable. This season, he hasn’t scored fewer than 20 points. He is also incredibly efficient when doing so, shooting 55% from the field and 38% from 3. On top of all of this, his team is sitting in first place in the Western Conference.
My final candidate for this award is Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics. With the Celtics’ superstar and proclaimed best player, Jayson Tatum, being out for the season, the expectation for the Celtics wasn’t high. But due to Jaylen Brown’s play, they are third in the Eastern Conference. By being one of the best two-way players in the league, Jaylen Brown does it all. From averaging almost 30 a game to locking up the other team’s best player, he has put the team on his back at times. Giving him a good case for this award.
Rookie of the Year is another popular award given to the best player who is in their first season. My three favorites who have come into the league and made immediate impacts on their team are Cooper Flagg, Kon Knueppel, and VJ Edgecombe.
To start, my frontrunner to win this award is Cooper Flagg. Averaging 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, Flagg leaves a big mark on both sides of the ball. Standing at 6’9, the young superstar can do it all. While the Mavericks haven’t had the best record and are fighting to get into the playoffs, Flagg certainly isn’t to blame. The number one overall pick has been a force to be reckoned with.
In second place, Kon Knueppel has been an offensive force that teams have to gameplan for when they play him. Knueppel is averaging 19 points while shooting 42% from 3. He is third in total 3 pointers made, and while doing so, became the fastest player in NBA history to make 100 3 pointers. With his floor spacing, Kon has come in and propelled the Hornets offensively.
To finish it off, I have VJ Edgecombe in third place. VJ has joined the 76ers and has been a spark plug for them. Even though he is not the top option, he has made a two-way impact. He has brought the energy for his team every game. From put-back dunks to posters to a steal into a fastbreak down, VJ always finds a way to spark his team. He is averaging 15 points and 1.5 steals. He has been able to be a big contributing factor, while not being the top option.