NBA Midseason Awards

January 13, 2022

By: Carlos Alvarez

Handing Out Accolades as NBA Season Nears Halfway Mark

The 2021-22 NBA season hits the midseason mark this weekend, and we’re pressing pause to take a look at the players taking charge. Plenty of the usual suspects sit atop the statistical categories, but a handful of surprise breakout players are making cases for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more. Here is The Sportsletter team’s outlook with roughly 40 games to play.

 

MVP

1. Steph Curry (GSW): 26.8 ppg, 5.5 reb, 6.1 ast

2. Kevin Durant (BKN): 29.8 ppg, 7.7 reb, 5.8 ast

3. Nikola Jokic (DEN): 25.7 ppg, 14.1 reb, 7.0 ast

 

Defensive POY

1. Draymond Green (GSW): 7.6 reb, 2.2 blk, 1.7 stl

2. Rudy Gobert (UTA): 15.1 reb, 2.3 blk

3. Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL): 11.4 reb, 1.4 blk, 1.1 stl

 

Rookie of the Year

1. Evan Mobley (CLE): 14.8 ppg, 8.1 reb, 1.8 blk

2. Scottie Barnes (TOR): 14.7 ppg, 8.0 reb, 3.5 ast

3. Cade Cunningham (DET): 15.4 ppg, 5.7 reb, 5.4 ast

 

Most Improved Player

1. Ja Morant (MEM): 24.7 ppg, 5.7 reb, 6.7 ast

2. Miles Bridges (CHA): 19.5 ppg, 7.3 reb

3. Dejounte Murray (SAS): 18.4 ppg, 8.2 reb, 8.9 ast, 2.1 stl

 

Coach of the Year

1. Billy Donovan (Bulls) | Record: 27-11

2. Monty Williams (Suns) | Record: 31-9

3. Taylor Jenkins (Grizzlies) | Record: 29-14

 

Additional Storylines

NBA: Kia Rookie Ladder: Evan Mobley & Cade Cunningham Take Top 2 Spots

ESPN: NBA Playoff Contenders: Where Every Team Stands at Season’s Midpoint