My NBA Post- Season Awards!!!

The 2021-2022 NBA regular season came to an end a couple of weeks ago, so it's time to reveal the NBA's post-season awards. The NBA's Most Improved Player and Defensive Player of the Year Awards have been revealed, but there are still many awards still yet to be disclosed. Here are my takes for who should get which awards to wind down 2021-2022. 

MVP: Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is my MVP. Joel dominated the 2022 season on both ends of the floor and his team's success reflects that. In the big man's 6th season, he led the league in scoring by averaging 30.6 points per game. Embiid is the first center to lead the league in scoring since Shaq did during the 1999-2000 season. Shaq won the MVP that season by the way. Embiid also averaged 11.7 rebounds per contest, 4.2 assists (which is very impressive for a center), 1.1 steals and 1.5 blocks. The big man shot 50% from the field, 37% from beyond the 3-point line, and 81% from the free throw line. Needless to say, he did all this while dealing with the Ben Simmons fiasco off the court during the first half of the season and incorporating a new point guard, James Harden, during the 2nd half of the season. Although the 76ers obtained the 4th seed in the playoffs, they technically had the 2nd best record in the Eastern Conference. They just didn't have an advantage in a tie breaker with the Celtics or the Bucks. I firmly believe that Joel Embiid was The Most Valuable Player in the NBA this season.

ROY: Scottie Barnes

Scottie Barnes was arguable the most impressive and the most consistent Rookie this NBA season. In what seems like a solid draft class, the versatile, do-it-all forward stood out the most in my opinion. First of all, whenever a rookie can come in, start and be one of the main focal points on a play-off team, that's a huge deal. Now, I understand the Evan Mobley did the same thing, but Scottie played more games and more minutes. He actually ranked 1st in minutes per game amongst rookies, and he was top 5 in every main statistical category except for FT% and 3P%. Barnes averaged a healthy balance of 15.3 points per game, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.7 blocks, while shooting 49% from the field, 30% from beyond the 3-point line, and 74% from the free throw line. Scottie will have to improve his outside shooting, but it looks like the young forward has a very bright future in this league.

DPOY: Marcus Smart


This award has already been given to Smart, but let me say that this man is nothing but a DAWG! He's taken a big step in his career this season by becoming the Celtic's vocal leader and defensive catalyst. His defensive impact was obviously visible when he and his Celtics teammates completely stifled Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the first round of the playoffs. Overall, he is having one of his best seasons ever, and the Celtics are going to give the Bucks a run of their money in the 2nd round of the playoffs.

MIP: Ja Morant

Like the DPOY, The Most Improved Player award has also already been awarded to Ja Morant, but let me feel myself for a minute here. A lot of people disagree, but I KNEW Ja was going to win. The main argument against Ja is that he already won Rookie of the Year in 2020, and he was obviously a very notable and talented player in this league. BUT you can't over look the jump he made from season 2 to season 3. This man increased his scoring average by over 8 points per game, improved both is FG% and 3p% by 40% this season, he was a MVP candidate, AND his team managed to have the 2nd best record in the entire league. Ja ran off on the plug in 2022, and even though he was already one of the budding players in the league, he reached another level this season. This type of season to season jump doesn't happen often. Congrats Ja.

6MOY: Tyler Herro

I have ben incredibly impressed this season with Tyler Herro. I don't know if it has been Drew Hanlen's workouts or what, but the 3rd year combo guard has been on one this season. At this point, Herro is a starter that happens to come off the bench, and I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't accept that role much longer. Herro put up 20.7 points per game, 4 assists, and 5 rebounds, while shooting 45 % from the field and 40% from beyond the 3-point line. This boy is about to get PAID! The 22 year-old Herro had a decent case for the Most Improved Player award in his own right, and he is becoming one of the most lethal play-makers in the NBA.

COY: Taylor Jenkins

When it comes to the Coach of the Year award, you have to award winning, and that is what the Grizzlies did during the 2021-22 season. I know Monte Williams and the Phoenix Suns had the best record in the league, but I feel that what the Grizzlies did this season was more impressive. Not only did they increase their wins from 38 to 56, but they did so with a very young roster. 4 of their starting 5 have played 5 years or less in the league. The lone starter with more than 5 years experience is Steven Adams. Also, you have to give credit to Coach Jenkins for how the Grizzlies played without Ja Morant in the lineup. Ja missed 25 games this season, and the Grizzlies won 20 of those games. Also, outside of Monte Williams, I'd like to give credit to Jason Kidd, Ime Udoka, JB Bickerstaff, Erik Spoelstra, Chris Finch, and Willie Green for also having great seasons leading their teams.

1st Team All-NBA: Steph Curry, Luka Doncic, DeMar DeRozan, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid

2nd Team All-NBA: Ja Morant, Devin Booker, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Nikola Jokic

3rd Team All-NBA: Trae Young, Chris Paul, Lebron James, Pascal Siakam, Karl Anthony Towns

1st Team All-Defense: Marcus Smart, Mikal Bridges, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Rudy Gobert, Jaren Jackson

2nd Team All-Defense: Dejounte Murray, Robert Williams III, Herbert Jones, Bam Adebayo, Jrue Holiday

1st Team All-Rookie: Scottie Barnes, Evan Mobley, Cade Cunningham, Jalen Green, Franz Wagner

2nd Team All-Rookie: Davion Mitchell, Josh Giddey, Herbert Jones, Bones Hyland, Ayo Dosunmu



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