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- Jacob Rhee

MVP

1. Luka Doncic (Mavericks)

2. Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)

3. Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)

4. Jalen Brunson (Knicks)

5. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)

This is easily the most talented basketball team that Luka has ever played on, and he’ll take home his long-awaited MVP award as a result. Giannis uncorks an eighth consecutive monster campaign, and slots in just behind.

Jokic requires no explanation, and Brunson honestly doesn’t need one either. New York’s hero finished fifth in the voting a season ago, and his squad got significantly better. Victor will post numbers worthy of the trophy, but the Spurs’ struggles should keep him from being a serious threat in this race. Hey, speaking of Wemby…

Defensive Player of the Year

1. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)

2. OG Anunoby (Knicks)

3. Herb Jones (Pelicans)

4. Rudy Gobert (Timberwolves)

5. Dereck Lively II (Mavericks)

I will always take winning into consideration when discussing individual awards. I just don’t think it’s going to matter here. Even after we ding Wembanyama for San Antonio’s struggles, he’ll still deserve the Defensive Player of the Year. Vic is a plus on that side of the ball literally just by standing somewhere in the general vicinity of the rim. Opposing players settle for jumpers, kick the ball out unnecessarily, and fling wild floaters, all because they’re scared that the 7-foot-5 giant will punch their layup through the glass. It’s not wild to start discussing the possibility of Wembanyama becoming the greatest rim protector in the history of the sport.

OG’s versatility is incredible, and he also gets the benefit of the Big Apple media push. Reigning First-Team All-Defense members Herb Jones and Rudy Gobert follow, with Dereck Lively II jumping onto ballots after stealing the Mavericks’ starting center job from Daniel Gafford.

Rookie of the Year

1. Zach Edey (Grizzlies)

2. Dalton Knecht (Lakers)

3. Alex Sarr (Wizards)

4. Reed Sheppard (Rockets)

5. Rob Dillingham (Timberwolves)

Edey and Knecht were the two cleanest roster fits in this draft, and I think they both deliver from Day 1. Alex Sarr was disgustingly bad in Summer League, but I’m a believer. He’s Evan Mobley 2.0 to me.

The Rockets are going to trade Fred VanVleet at the deadline, partially because it will be impossible to keep Sheppard off the floor. The 20-year-old won’t replicate his ridiculous 54-52-83 college splits, but that shooting stroke is legit. I expect his former Kentucky teammate Rob Dillingham to impress in his bench role with the Timberwolves.

Most Improved Player

1. Christian Braun (Nuggets)

2. Shaedon Sharpe (Trail Blazers)

3. Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)

4. Cade Cunningham (Pistons)

5. Andrew Nembhard (Pacers)

I fell in love with Braun at Kansas; his transition finishing and competitive spirit were so much fun to watch. He’ll slide into Denver’s starting five after the departure of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s ready. Sharpe, Wemby, and Cunningham have all proven to be productive, and each one is about to take a jump. Meanwhile, Andrew Nembhard’s postseason success was not a fluke whatsoever. Ask anyone who watched his final year at Gonzaga if they were surprised. He’s real.

Sixth Man of the Year

1. TJ McConnell (Pacers)

2. Naz Reid (Timberwolves)

3. Malik Monk (Kings)

4. Jarred Vanderbilt (Lakers)

5. Miles McBride (Knicks)

No reserve in the NBA changes games quite like TJ McConnell.

The list of dudes that I would 100% trust to make the correct decision at the end of a game is extremely short, but McConnell is on it. Naz and Malik went 1-2 in the voting last season, and they’re locks to be in the hunt again.

Jarred Vanderbilt just needs to stay on the court. That guy is an absolute shutdown defender when he’s healthy, and I think he’s headed for the best campaign of his career. McBride clawed his way into the Knicks’ rotation last year, then stepped into the spotlight after the injury bug hit his team. Madison Square Garden should get plenty of chances to continue cheering on its beloved backup guard, now that Donte DiVincenzo is out of town. Deuce is suddenly the first player off the bench.

All-NBA

First Team

Jalen Brunson (Knicks)

Luka Doncic (Mavericks)

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)

Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)

Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)

Second Team

Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers)

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)

Jayson Tatum (Celtics)

LeBron James (Lakers)

Joel Embiid (76ers)

Third Team

Steph Curry (Warriors)

Ja Morant (Grizzlies)

Anthony Edwards (Timberwolves

Kevin Durant (Suns)

Anthony Davis (Lakers)

None of these selections are surprises in the slightest. It’s amazing to see how the league has shifted, though. Brunson is the lone member of this hypothetical First Team that isn’t foreign-born.

By the way, take a glance at the Second Team and the Third Team. Eight of the 10 players had similar itineraries this summer. That US Olympic squad was pretty incredible, huh?

In-Season Tournament

The pick: Celtics OVER Mavericks.

In-Season Tournament MVP: Jaylen Brown

Deja vu. It’s a Finals rematch in the In-Season Tournament title game, with an identical result. The MVP even stays the same, which won’t make Jayson Tatum particularly happy.

NBA Finals

The pick: Lakers OVER Knicks in six.

Finals MVP: LeBron James

Lower those eyebrows. Pick up that jaw. Stop giggling. The last time that LeBron James was a No. 6 seed or better and didn’t make the Finals, I was nine years old. Nine. Can you blame me for putting some borderline irrational trust in that man?

When he gets to the big stage, he’ll have two of the best perimeter defenders in the world waiting for him. It won’t matter a whole lot; LeBron gets his fifth ring, and the Lakers reach the mountaintop in Year 1 under JJ Redick.

This is a totally serious take, just so we’re clear. Start fueling up the hype train, LA.

Pressroom

Spin It

“One Thing” by One Direction. Don’t forget to smile.