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Who does the Brew Hoop staff think should take home hardware?
This week, NBA media personnel are submitting their ballots for regular-season awards, and once again, the league unwisely did not grant any of the Brew Hoop staff voting powers. Or perhaps I should say wisely. Whatever, here’s who we’d pick if we did have a say!
Most Valuable Player
Van: This is a pretty obvious one, since SGA is the best player among the best two or three teams in the league this regular season, as most will agree. So let’s talk about how I think Giannis’ play over the last few weeks has elevated him above Jokic, who is literally having the best season of his already insanely good career. Career highs in 3P%, points per game, assists, and the first time he’s averaged a triple-double over an entire season clearly make him worthy of MVP consideration. But as his team slipped nearly into the play-in, then fired their coach and GM, Giannis powered Milwaukee to a record just two games worse than Denver’s with what I think was the best basketball of his career. I want to reward that. Others who put Giannis ahead of Jokic can expound upon that idea!
Jack: I just think OKC winning that many games must be rewarded with an SGA MVP. And even if that wasn’t the case, Shai’s stats are otherworldly and reflect what an MVP’s stats look like. Despite my Bucks fandom, I do think Jokic deserves second place over Giannis (not to downplay the incredible years both had).
Jackson: Much like my co-horts here, I have the crown jewel of the Paul George trade to the Clippers winning MVP. His development since he was drafted in 2018 from a 10-point-per-game scorer to the league leader in scoring for the best team in the NBA has been a sight to behold. As for second place and third place, Giannis and Jokic are in very similar situations with flawed rosters that they have dragged into the playoffs. Both players have put up tremendous numbers, with Jokic averaging a triple-double this season. The thing that I always go back to when it comes to deciding between two players when they are fairly even on offense is, of course, defense. Giannis blows Jokic out of the water on that category, and so that’s why I have him second, ahead of Jokic.
Finn: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had a historic season, arguably the best ever by a Thunder player. He averaged the most points in the franchise’s history while also leading the whole league in the category. The three-time All-Star scored 20+ points, 30+ points, 40+ points, and 50+ points more than any other player this season, all for a 68-win team. That’s MVP worthy no matter how you spin it. Not enough love can be shown to Jokic and Giannis, though, as both do things we’ve never seen before on the court year in and year out.
Kyle: Free-throw merchant aside, SGA was one of the best players on the best team in the league. While Giannis and Jokic had the statistical and team reliance on them being the reason, we have normally given the MVP to the best player on the best team.
Gabe: The Thunder have been the story of the year, but you might not know it by watching ESPN’s coverage of the league this year. 68 wins are absolutely astounding. Had Golden State not broken the 72-win Bulls’ record in 2015–16, I think this would be talked about more. Regardless, SGA put up insane numbers with elite efficiency and anchored the Thunder’s defense. He boasts a killer instinct to get whatever shot he wants, and you just anticipate it to go in. He’s capable on both ends of the floor as well, which is a trait that Jokic lacks. Given the Thunder’s success, I’m inclined to give SGA the nod.
Defensive Player of the Year
Van: I actually think there were five very strong candidates for this award, as seen on the All-Defense team. For as good as OKC’s defense is, Dort somehow doesn’t perform as well in advanced metrics, which is disappointing considering that by the eye test, he’s clearly their best defender. Like him, Mobley and Zubac also don’t rate as highly in defensive box plus-minus for whatever reason. Amen Thompson and Draymond Green are smiled upon by both the nerdy stats and the film; the latter is why I’m going with Green above the field. Ultimately, though, these guys all lead top-eight defenses (aside from the Thunder, the rest are within two points of each other in defensive rating) and are all deserving. I just think Green has the most complete case.
Jack: This might be me being an Aussie homer, but Dyson Daniels’ defensive impact is too much of a game-changer for him not to win it. He is not only an elite on-ball defender, but an even better off-ball defender (evidenced by his historic steal numbers). Evan Mobley is obviously an insane defender as well, and should the Bucks beat the Pacers, I think he could give Giannis fits. Finally, Zubac deserves some major shine for his defensive improvement over the past few seasons.
Jackson: It’s time for just the second guard since the year 2000 to finally win DPOY. At the same time, I don’t deny that Evan Mobley, Draymond Green, and Ivica Zubac have had spectacular seasons defensively as bigs. When you have the first player since the 1990–91 season to average three steals per game as Daniels did, that deserves the hardware. It’s also not just the steals; Daniels took the toughest assignments every night for the Hawks, especially after the trade deadline, when Atlanta shipped off De’Andre Hunter to the Cleveland Cavaliers. I liken it to Russell Westbrook's 2016–17 MVP season when, despite finishing outside the top four of his conference, his stat line is so historic that it deserved to break precedent. Even with Daniels not being a big man with the blocks to back up a winning campaign like others historically, his pressure on the ball to force steals and be a dominant defender in this perimeter-centric NBA is why he deserves this award.
Finn: Evan Mobley is elite at the two most important aspects of defense in the modern NBA: rim protection and versatility. He strikes fear into opponents of all shapes and sizes. The fifth-year big man was the catalyst for a dominant Cavaliers squad on both ends. Mobley was one of two players to win Defensive Player of the Month this season (with Dyson Daniels being the other). Draymond Green and Ivica Zubac were both anchors of top-of-the-line defenses themselves.
Kyle: Give me the guy who can do a little bit of everything on defense and was the anchor for the best team in the East.
Gabe: This is an award that Victor Wembanyama would’ve won with ease had he not had his season ended due to blood clots, but now, we have ourselves a list. Evan Mobley is so massive to the Cavaliers’ defense. Of course, Draymond is imperative to the Warriors as well. However, Mobley’s versatility in being able to switch on pick-and-rolls and protect the rim has always impressed me. Draymond has made a case as of late, but I think Mobley’s sample size is bigger. Last, shoutout to Lu Dort. His perimeter defense is thrilling to watch. I can’t wait to see it on display throughout the postseason.
Most Improved Player
Van: To me, the leap from defensive role player to a more rounded player (Daniels) who can score is nowhere near as big a leap as leading a team to a 30-game improvement in the win column while improving your efficiency and numbers across the board. Cunningham is a legit All-NBA talent and now among the best 15 or so players in the league. It took him a few years to get there, but I don’t think that should be seen as any less impressive for someone who went first overall. Looking at every top three pick since LeBron (63 players), 13 made All-NBA within four years of being drafted: Anthony Davis, Anthony Edwards, Derrick Rose, Kyrie Irving, Ben Simmons, Dwight Howard, Karl-Anthony Towns, Blake Griffin, Kevin Durant, Deron Williams, Jayson Tatum, Luka Doncic, and Ja Morant. Cunningham had a better year than any of them the first time they made it (even Rose, who won MVP), aside from KD, Morant, and Doncic, who all had already won Rookie of the Year. And since Morant won MIP three years after his ROY, there’s precedent for this.
Jack: I mean, Cade Cunningham is the reason Detroit is where it is. Maybe it was just a case of needing a better coach and to be healthy, but he has dominated all year. His ability to methodically get to his spots, see plays before they happen, and play the game at his pace are all amazing traits to watch. That ability to dictate games from start to finish is reflected in his stats this season. Tyler Herro, having a breakout year, has been a godsend for Miami as well; not sure where the Heat would be without Herro’s rise.
Jackson: I went back and forth on this heavily, with the race coming down to the end of the season. I had a strong discussion with Van about Daniels winning the award, but I can’t deny the leap that Cade Cunningham has made this season. While it is one thing to go from a defensive ace to a well-rounded role player is a good jump. However, going from a solid player to an All-NBA player and the clear best player for a playoff team is incredible. Zubac soared to near an All-Star level as the third piece behind Kawhi Leonard and James Harden for the Clippers.
Finn: Denver needed major growth from at least one of their young players this season, and they got it from Christian Braun. The 23-year-old exploded in his third professional campaign, averaging career-highs in every category, including 15.4 points per game on 58.0% from the field and 39.7% from deep. He’s the ultimate glue role player with his willingness to do all the dirty work. Ivica Zubac leaped from a solid starter to an All-NBA caliber big on both ends. Dyson Daniels emerged as maybe the best perimeter defender in hoops. Overall, there were a lot of unexpectedly impressive jumps made in 2024–25, and I wanted to reward the players who made them.
Kyle: It doesn’t make sense to me that a no. 1 pick should be considered the Most Improved Player. Daniels went from a solid role player to a key two-way player who could garner a huge contract in the future. I also feel like Evan Mobley was someone who was able to continue improving and is now the DPOY. Christian Braun deserved a shout for his growth when Jokic needed it the most. If he sustains, that will be interesting to see.
Gabe: To me, I feel as if Cade Cunningham was expected to be an All-Star since he was a no. 1 pick. Meanwhile, the leap that Daniels has taken is astronomical. Going from a role player to a core contributor in just one season, he’s flipped the script. Last year, he hovered around six points per game. That’s grown to 14 this season. The step he’s taken is quite noticeable, especially on the defensive end. This year, he gave teams fits all year long by averaging three steals per game. Given the fact that he’s now paired elite defensive prowess with constant initiation on offense, he’s done enough for me to give this award to him. Last, the step Austin Reaves has taken is incredible. He’s flourished in L.A.’s offense. I can’t believe they didn’t have to give him up in the Luka deal. I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes a 25 PPG scorer in this league.
Rookie of the Year
Van: Risacher came on pretty strongly as the season began to wrap up, and certainly was more efficient than Castle. But the Spurs rook led all his fellow draftees in scoring and free-throw attempts with a bullet, plus also topped everyone else in steals, finished third in assists, and committed the fifth-fewest personals per 36 minutes among all who played over 1,000 minutes. Jaylen Wells did well in that category too, with solid efficiency and good defense on a team that was in the playoff picture the entire season, but Castle’s numbers pop more.
Jack: To me, Zaccharie Risacher has been the most consistently solid rookie all season. He wasn’t thrust into a role in which he was given the ball to make plays, but he just excelled in his role as a complementary player and made his teammates better. You could tell his experience playing pro ball in France gave him a head start in excelling at the elite level. There is no team in the league that wouldn’t be thrilled to have Risacher on their team right this second, which was the appeal when he was drafted.
Jackson: Stephon Castle was one of the healthier rookies, playing 81 games and leading all rookies in scoring average. Castle started 47 games and still averaged 4.7 assists despite playing next to Chris Paul for the majority of that time. Risacher had a strong campaign as well, earning him second place. Yves Missi is someone who I think was heavily underrated. On one of the worst teams in the league this season, he finished second among rookies in rebounds (0.1 behind Memphis’ Zach Edey) and 10th in scoring (9.1 PPG).
Finn: It’s rare for a rookie to hold a full-time starting spot on a play-in team, but that’s what Zaccharie Risacher did this season. What separates him from Jaylen Wells, who played the same role, is his level of production. Risacher led rookies in 30-point games and finished second amongst all freshmen in total points. The Frenchman excelled in his off-ball role. While he wasn’t the star that other top picks like Paolo Banchero and Cade Cunningham were as rookies, Risacher was still better than all his peers. Stephon Castle and Alex Sarr flashed star potential but didn’t maintain the same level of consistent contribution that Risacher did.
Kyle: Risacher was solid and rarely did anything wrong this season, and his play near the end of the season is what gave him the slight edge. I am surprised nobody else had Edey. Maybe it’s trauma from his time at Purdue, but as someone who was skeptical about whether his game would translate to the pros, having 15.5 points and 13.9 rebounds per 36 showed me that he will be in the league for a long time.
Gabe: This isn’t the most glamorous Rookie of the Year campaign, but Stephon Castle was still the standout to me. Seemingly coming out of nowhere, it truly seemed as if he was NBA-ready right out of the gates. His tough perimeter defense epitomizes San Antonio Spurs basketball. On the other side of the coin, he averaged nearly 15 points, three boards, and four assists per game. He always showcases maturity and confidence out on the floor, shooting 42.8% from the floor. All that made him the clear-cut ROY favorite in my book.
Clutch Player of the Year
Van: I still really don’t know how to determine who wins this one. Like most voters, I assume, I looked at who had the best scoring and shooting numbers in clutch situations. There seemed to be three pretty obvious choices. I feel like game-winning field goals should be made clearer. Extra points if they occur with less than a second left or the buzzer goes off sometime between when it leaves someone’s hand and the shot goes in.
Jack: Yeah, I guess I’ll go with Brunson here. Dude just makes big shots time after time.
Jackson: Jalen Brunson had another strong season, and he has big moments all the time. He helped lead the Knicks to the fifth-best win percentage in clutch time at 61.3%. Anthony Edwards' leap in three-point shooting makes him more trustworthy in big-time situations, with an effective field goal percentage of 52.9% in clutch time. I added LeBron James in this because his clutch time eFG was too high to ignore. LeBron is one of just six players to have an eFG over 60% in clutch time, and according to
inpridctiable.com, he shot 65% overall in these situations. Hard to argue against that type of efficiency in the moments that matter most.
Finn: Jalen Brunson earned the nickname Captain Clutch for a reason. He hit a ton of big shots this year. The All-Star guard led the league in clutch points per game with 5.6, according to nba.com.
Kyle: I’ll give the ball to the guy who can make the perfect pass or hit the game-winning shot when the team needs it. I still don’t understand what the point of this award is.
Gabe: It always seems as if Brunson is either hitting shots late in the clutch or orchestrating the show to get somebody else involved. He’s clearly the go-to option when the pressure mounts, embodying the definition of this award. I can’t wait to see him battle against Cade in the first round.
Sixth Man of the Year
Van: Hunter led all players who typically came off the bench in scoring this year and Beasley made 319 freaking three-pointers as a reserve, nearly 100 more than he did as a starter in Milwaukee last season. Still, Pritchard bested his fellow outside shooting specialists in effective field goal percentage and true shooting. Hunter is the most versatile of the three, but neither Cleveland nor Atlanta was really better when he was on the floor, maybe even a bit worse. Beasley has the best net rating of the three, but he didn’t boost Detroit’s offense as much as you’d think.
Jack: Pritchard was awesome this season. Just a super solid player who—while Malik Beasley gave him a scare late in the season—was probably the most consistent and efficient guy off the pine all year. Dude just nails it from deep season after season, and he scares the crap out of me whenever the Bucks play the Celtics.
Jackson: There are quite a few teams who would have loved to have Payton Pritchard as a starter this year, and the fact that the Celtics were able to use him as a 6th man is ridiculous. He averaged 14.3 PPG and shot 40.7% from deep on nearly eight attempts per game. Malik Beasley had an incredible season for the Pistons as one of the best three-point snipers in the league, but Pritchard had the better all-around game. De’Andre Hunter was such an incredible addition to the Cavaliers' bench that it’s unfair how little Cleveland had to give up to get him from Atlanta.
Finn: No sixth man was as instrumental to their team’s success as Malik Beasley this season. His ability to shoot with high efficiency on a high clip off the catch, off the dribble, or on the move changed the fabric of Detroit’s offense. And yes, he’s that good of a shooter. He’s one of five players to make 300+ threes in a season, and the only to do so while coming off the bench. Payton Pritchard and De’Andre Hunter had great years and put up great numbers, but they didn’t have the same responsibility and impact as Beasley.
Kyle: Pritchard was an embodiment of a sixth man. Come off the bench, wreak havoc, and then leave. Shoutout to Malik, who showed last year wasn’t a fluke.
Gabe: Tell me this... when was the last time you, as a Bucks fan, didn’t feel your stomach drop when Payton Pritchard took a three? It doesn’t happen often, because you always expect it to go in. This season, he shot over 40% from the perimeter for the third time in his career. His transition play never ceases to amaze, along with his ability to bury catch-and-shoot threes. For a Celtics offense that’s led by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Pritchard’s importance is massive as well.
Coach of the Year
Van: As I’ve said before, I tend to prioritize year-to-year improvement from incumbents for this award. But since there were two such dramatic improvements by newly-hired coaches this season, Udoka’s performance with the rising Rockets takes a backseat to Bickerstaff and Atkinson. While I think making a mid-tier playoff team into 64-win world-beaters without major roster moves is super impressive, it’s not as unprecedented as what Bickerstaff did. A 30-game improvement from a 14-win team that was one of the worst squads
ever into a playoff team is nuts.
Jack: Kenny Atkinson’s ability to turn what is essentially the same Cavs team that struggled last season into a juggernaut on both ends has to be rewarded with COTY for me. There is a chance Cleveland just zooms through the Eastern Conference playoffs with ease, and nobody’s really talking about it. On the other hand, the Cavs’ former coach, now in Detroit, is
clearly not a bad coach. Maybe the fit was just off in The Land, but shoutout to Bickerstaff for instilling a hard-nosed culture with the Pistons.
Jackson: There was nowhere to go but up for the Detroit Pistons after the disaster of the 2023–24 season. A year in which they lost 28 games in a row and won a total of just 14 throughout the entire regular season. Some thought the Pistons could be a sneaky team in the play-in race (me included) with the likes of the Bulls, Hawks, and Heat. Yet here we sit, and the Pistons are the sixth seed in the East playoffs, ready to take on the Knicks. A large share of that praise goes to Bickerstaff for once again turning around a downtrodden Central Division franchise. Udoka I placed 2nd due to the Rockets making the jump from a .500 team to the 2nd seed in the West. Atkinson takes the bronze for morphing a team with a strong base into the best team in the East. Relative to expectations for their teams, Bickerstaff and Udoka helped lead their teams to heights unimagined heading into this season.
Finn: Who genuinely thought the Cavaliers would be this good? They were as dominant as any other team in the league this season from start to finish. Kenny Atkinson deserves a huge share of the credit for their success. He maximized every player on his roster and turned a good team into a great one.
Kyle: What could have been if Horst got his way.
Gabe: I had hoped that the Bucks would hire Kenny Atkinson when he was available during their coaching searches. I always thought he had gotten the short end of the stick in Brooklyn once Durant arrived. Cleveland’s step forward this year has been wild. Their offensive efficiency has skyrocketed. The win-loss turnaround shows just how big of a culture change Atkinson engendered upon his arrival. He maximizes his roster’s strengths, helped Donovan Mitchell exceed expectations while also getting others involved, and much more.
Executive of the Year
Van: Similar calculus to Coach of the Year here. Langdon immediately cleaned up the disaster left for him by Troy Weaver, hired a head coach with a well-earned reputation for making young teams into playoff squads, and found some great veterans to put around the young guys. I also like how Stone shaped the Rockets in recent seasons, and while he didn’t make any major moves, I think he deserves to be rewarded. Presti just keeps pulling off winners too, without even touching his war chest of future firsts.
Jack: Trajan Langdon modernising the Pistons through 1. waiting to hire an excellent coach and 2. bringing in veterans like Tim Hardaway Jr., Tobias Harris, and Malik Beasley to help guide the young Pistons core was a masterstroke. It should also be mentioned that by taking on Hardaway’s deal—which was viewed as a bad deal Dallas had to get off—Detroit got a bunch of second-round picks to boot. The selection of Ron Holland raised eyebrows at the time, but he could well turn out to be the best player in his draft class five years from now. All in all, Langdon made a bunch of good decisions that turned that franchise around. Hats off.
Jackson: My voting follows the exact formula as my Coach of the Year voting. Langdon flipping the Pistons into a playoff team in his first season after inheriting the worst team in basketball is remarkable. Rafael Stone deserves the same credit for what he’s done with the Rockets. The mix of bringing in savvy vets in Fred Van Vleet, Steven Adams, and Dillon Brooks to complement the young core of Jalen Green, Amen Thompson, and Alperen Sengun has worked in spades. I opted to go with Altman over Rob Pelinka because while Pelinka made the deal of his life in getting Luka, it was practically gift-wrapped to him by Nico Harrison. Altman being able to get De’Andre Hunter at the trade deadline for Caris LeVert, Georges Niang, and three second-round picks is remarkable.
Finn: This was a pretty easy pick. Trajan Langdon, Detroit’s GM, made the moves that turned the franchise around. Harris, Beasley, Hardaway, and Ron Holland were all new additions that made a big impact on the Pistons. Rob Pelinka was runner-up not only because he pulled off the Luka heist, but also because he made other moves like the Dorian Finney-Smith/D’Angelo Russell trade and the Jordan Goodwin signing that set the Lakers up for postseason success.
Kyle: It is a great accomplishment to take a terrible roster, retool with solid but not flashy moves, significantly upgrade the coach, and earn a deserved sixth seed in the East. Stone deserves credit as well for what he has been able to build, similar to the Pistons with a slightly better roster.
Gabe: Who would’ve ever thought Detroit would be the sixth seed coming into the year? I sure didn’t. Their roster is a mixture of young athleticism paired with veteran leadership. Harris, Beasley, and Hardaway have all made sound contributions that helped turn the team around in the blink of an eye. Houston has also been so exciting to watch with their roster. Finally, I still cannot believe Pelinka landed Luka. Unreal.
All-NBA Teams
Van: I imagine that our unanimous First Team selections will also be on the majority of actual voters’ ballots. We also have pretty similar ideas about Second Team, but I have Cunningham over Curry for some of the reasons I listed in his MIP case. This is only the second time in Steph’s illustrious career that he’s dipped below 40% from deep in a full season, and his scoring is at its lowest in ten years. He’s still really good, of course, but I’m giving Cunningham the nod due to better all-around play.
So many guys didn’t hit the 65-game minimum, and had Damian Lillard not been one of them, he’d be a shoo-in for my Third Team. I imagine many others would have given him the nod over someone like Sabonis (who
was excellent this year, but for a play-in team).
Jack: The 65-game rule messed with quite a few of my selections. I’d have had Dame on Third Team if he played enough games. Regardless, Haliburton’s second half of the season was damn good and his assist/turnover ratio was something to behold. I quibbled with having Jalen Williams there, if I’m being honest, but the Thunder having the season they had warranted his inclusion. James Harden also made a strong case to be on one of these teams, and I wanted to make sure I mentioned him. Other than that, it was mostly chalk from the BH team.
Jackson: First Team is pretty clear across the board, with the three MVP candidates, plus the best players from the top two teams in the East in Tatum and Mitchell. Some players are moving around from team to team (I have Stephen Curry over Cade Cunningham for Second Team), but the main difference comes in my final pick for Third Team: Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker. Amid the chaos and disappointment of the 2024–25 Suns, little of that blame falls at the feet of the former Kentucky Wildcat. Booker played the third-most games in a season for his career with 75 games (highest was his second season at 78, second highest was his rookie year at 76), all while finishing top 10 in scoring and tied with Lillard for 10th in assists at 7.1 per contest.
Finn: Outside the clear-cut First Team, the other two feature a fun mix of old and young talent. Can we take a moment to appreciate that LeBron James, Stephen Curry, and James Harden are all still operating at a high All-NBA level? The longevity of all three guys has been crazy to see. Kevin Durant deserves to be right there with them on the second team, but multiple untimely injuries held him to just 62 games played. The third team includes two budding superstars in Cade Cunningham and Evan Mobley, who are set to earn their first of many All-NBA nominations.
Kyle: First and Second Team were pretty straightforward. Third Team was a bit tougher after Siakam and Cunningham.
Gabe: I didn’t really have any trouble with my First and Second Team. Some have Curry over Mitchell, but I feel Mitchell was so imperative in Cleveland’s success while also aiding the improvements of other Cavs. My Third Team nearly included some Clippers, as James Harden and Ivica Zubac complement each other so well. Honestly, I wouldn’t be shocked if the Clips made a playoff run.
All-Defensive Teams
Van: I summarized the case for all five of my First Team guys as potential DPOYs above, so let’s talk about the next five. Daniels is the one others have above Zubac, but I’m actually not sold on him being as impactful a defender as my colleagues. He helped boost Atlanta from a bottom-five defense to merely 19th, and I just can’t call the best defender on a team that’s barely outside of the bottom ten a First-Teamer. He gets more steals and deflections than anyone, but advanced numbers don’t paint as good a picture, and the Hawks’ defense was about the same with him on the floor (116.2 DRtg) as it was off (116.1)—a bottom-ten unit either way. Gobert is still holding down one of the league’s better defenses in Minnesota, as is Gobert in Cleveland. Camara is probably the most underrated forward defender in the league, and Williams would be the best defender on many teams if he didn’t play with Dort.
Jack: For me, Daniels and Thompson had to be locks on the first team as guards. Lu Dort, although he flops a little too much for how big he is, remains an excellent defender who can switch all over the place. Zubac and Green were very close, but I went with Zu on that one. And lastly, shoutout to Toumani Camara for announcing his arrival as a premier defender this season.
Jackson: Despite his antics both on and off the court, Draymond Green is still one of the best defensive players in the league at 35 years old. He has been a strong defender all season, but his impact has been up since the Warriors traded for Jimmy Butler. At least over the last 15 games, Green has a defensive rating of 106.4, second best to bench big Quinten Post at 101.9. The rest of it is pretty much chalk compared to the rest of the Brew Hoop staff. I do have to say that, while for the Blazers’ sake I’m glad they didn’t listen to me, I so wish the Bucks could have somehow pryed away Toumani Camara from them. If he can continue his offensive progression moving forward, he will become one of the next two-way stars in the league.
Finn: While my First Team doesn’t necessarily reflect this, 2024–25 felt like the year of the perimeter defender. Two wings, Dyson Daniels and Amen Thompson, made legitimate DPOY cases and were easy picks for All-Defense. Toumani Camara would have been right there with them if he were on a better team. Lu Dort is the lone representative for what was an impeccable OKC defense, but Cason Wallace would be here too if he had played just one more game with 20+ minutes played, which is all he needed to qualify.
Kyle: There are so many big men to consider, but also they all deserve it.
Gabe: Again, my First Team was pretty straightforward. Mobley, Draymond, Dort, and Daniels are my top four finishers for DPOY. Amen Thompson is an absolute freak of nature. On Second Team, Zubac is so massive for what the Clippers do. He’s a true anchor of their defense. I also think Shai is deserving for how he’s able to utilize his lateral quickness and length as a guard. It’s always fun to see an MVP candidate make an impact on both sides of the floor.
All-Rookie Teams
Van: Sarr and Ware join my Rookie of the Year finalists thanks to scoring and efficiency, respectively. Knecht is probably the best volume shooter in the class this year, but the rest of my top freshmen are all bigs. Clingan seems to have some good two-way ability with his blend of rim protection (led all rookies in blocks) and interior scoring that should make him a strong rim-roller in the years ahead. Edey is probably the most efficient rook thanks to his predictable dominance inside, doing it for a 48-win squad. He has a strong case for First Team. Filipowski already looks like a legit stretch-five who also has a very strong floater game. It’s harder to pin down what Missi is elite at, but his shot-blocking and rebounding are good enough to earn him a place here.
Jack: I really liked Matas Buzelis’ season, which just got better and better as the year went on. Isaiah Collier beat the early allegations that he was nothing more than a historically inefficient rookie, posting some
insane assist totals later into the season. I also think it shows a lot that Jazz coach Will Hardy handed Collier the starting PG spot over Keyonte George midway through the year. Yves Missi was one of the picks of the year from the Pelicans, as he cemented himself as a starting-calibre centre in the NBA for years to come.
Jackson: Who would have seen the season coming out of Miami’s Kel’el Ware? After a slow first month for the former Indiana big man, he found his stride in January, averaging 13.0 PPG and 6.9 RPG. He was such a force for the Heat this season that they moved Bam Adebayo to the four so they could start Ware at the five. If that doesn’t show how massive his impact was for the Heat, I don’t know what does. Knecht seemed to be running away with the Rookie of the Year early on, but did cooled off as the season went on. Kudos to him for handling becoming the new Pau Gasol after the Mark Williams trade fell through like a pro.
Finn: The big men of the 2024 rookie class showed out this year. Four of the ten spots on my two teams are occupied by centers, and guys like Donovan Clingan and Kyle Filipowski had serious cases too. Jaylen Wells couldn’t quite crack my Rookie of the Year ballot, but he should be a lock for All-Rookie First Team because of how well he played his three-and-D role as a starter for the Grizzlies. Overall, this was a fun rookie class—one that was much better than people said they would be.
Kyle: Everyone made easy explanations for First Teamers, along with Wells, Buzelis, and Knecht. Ryan Dunn was looking as though he would have run away with the award during the first half of the season. Why Bud suddenly stopped playing him, who knows?
Gabe: In agreement with Finn, it was the year for the big men. Risacher, Ware, and Sarr all made strong improvements in the second half of the campaign. Castle is obviously the betting favorite for ROY, and Jaylen Wells’ importance to the Grizzlies is massive. Missi is one of the shining pieces on a troublesome New Orleans team, while Edey transitioned into the league better than some thought. For as weird as the Knecht/Williams trade fiasco was, Knecht will continue to develop out in Los Angeles. Clingan showed flashes out in Portland, while Isaiah Collier’s facilitation always impressed me. He was one of the bright spots on a Utah team that’s trying its best to land Cooper Flagg.
Those are our choices for awards this season, but what about yours? Let us know in the comments below.
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