NBA experts' picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year and more
Who will win the biggest awards for the 2021-22 NBA season?
Giannis Antetokounmpo picked up where he left off on opening night, pouring in 32 points with 14 rebounds and 7 assists. Is a third MVP in his future or will another superstar take home the award? Could we see a repeat winner in the Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic?
The early race for Rookie of the Year is looking like the Detroit Pistons' Cade Cunningham vs. the Houston Rockets' Jalen Green. But is a dark horse candidate lurking among the Class of 2021?
What about Defensive Player of the Year? You can't go wrong picking three-time winner Rudy Gobert. How likely is a fourth award in five years for the anchor in the paint for the Utah Jazz?
The races for Sixth Man, Most Improved Player and Coach of the Year, meanwhile, are all wide open.
We're only two games into the campaign, but our NBA experts are already making their picks for the six major awards.
MORE: NBA experts' picks for the East finals, West finals and Finals
MVP
Tim Bontemps: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jamal Collier: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nick DePaula:Kevin Durant
Nick Friedell:Kevin Durant
Israel Gutierrez:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Tim Legler: Luka Doncic
Andrew Lopez: Kevin Durant
Tim MacMahon:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Bobby Marks:Jimmy Butler
Dave McMenamin:Kevin Durant
Kevin Pelton:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jorge Sedano:Anthony Davis
Ramona Shelburne:Kevin Durant
André Snellings:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Marc J. Spears:Kevin Durant
Ohm Youngmisuk:Luka Doncic
Results: Giannis Antetokounmpo 6, Kevin Durant 6, Luka Doncic 2, Jimmy Butler 1, Anthony Davis 1.
Rookie of the Year
Tim Bontemps:Cade Cunningham
Jamal Collier: Jalen Green
Nick DePaula:Jalen Green
Nick Friedell:Jalen Green
Israel Gutierrez:Jalen Green
Tim Legler: Evan Mobley
Andrew Lopez: Jalen Green
Tim MacMahon:Jalen Green
Bobby Marks:Jalen Green
Dave McMenamin:Jalen Green
Kevin Pelton:Cade Cunningham
Jorge Sedano:Jalen Green
Ramona Shelburne:Jalen Green
André Snellings:Cade Cunningham
Marc J. Spears:Cade Cunningham
Ohm Youngmisuk:Jalen Green
Results: Jalen Green 11, Cade Cunningham 4, Evan Mobley 1.
Defensive Player of the Year
Tim Bontemps:Rudy Gobert
Jamal Collier: Anthony Davis
Nick DePaula:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Nick Friedell:Rudy Gobert
Israel Gutierrez:Joel Embiid
Tim Legler: Bam Adebayo
Andrew Lopez: Jrue Holiday
Tim MacMahon:Rudy Gobert
Bobby Marks:Draymond Green
Dave McMenamin:Joel Embiid
Kevin Pelton:Giannis Antetokounmpo
Jorge Sedano:Anthony Davis
Ramona Shelburne:Joel Embiid
André Snellings:Draymond Green
Marc J. Spears:Rudy Gobert
Ohm Youngmisuk:Anthony Davis
Results: Rudy Gobert 4, Anthony Davis 3, Joel Embiid 3, Giannis Antetokounmpo 2, Draymond Green 2, Bam Adebayo 1, Jrue Holiday 1.
Sixth Man of the Year
Tim Bontemps:Kevin Huerter
Jamal Collier: Jordan Clarkson
Nick DePaula:Patty Mills
Nick Friedell:Jordan Clarkson
Israel Gutierrez:Tyler Herro
Tim Legler: Jordan Clarkson
Andrew Lopez: Patty Mills
Tim MacMahon:Derrick Rose
Bobby Marks:Patty Mills
Dave McMenamin:Patty Mills
Kevin Pelton:Tyler Herro
Jorge Sedano:Jordan Clarkson
Ramona Shelburne:Derrick Rose
André Snellings:Jordan Clarkson
Marc J. Spears:Jordan Clarkson
Ohm Youngmisuk:Jordan Clarkson
Results: Jordan Clarkson 7, Patty Mills 4, Tyler Herro 2, Derrick Rose 2, Kevin Huerter 1.
Most Improved Player
Tim Bontemps:OG Anunoby
Jamal Collier: Jordan Poole
Nick DePaula:Terance Mann
Nick Friedell:Jordan Poole
Israel Gutierrez:Kevin Porter Jr.
Tim Legler: Tyrese Maxey
Andrew Lopez: Dejounte Murray
Tim MacMahon:Terance Mann
Bobby Marks:Lonzo Ball
Dave McMenamin:Michael Porter Jr.
Kevin Pelton:Tyler Herro
Jorge Sedano:Michael Porter Jr.
Ramona Shelburne:Ja Morant
André Snellings:Nickeil Alexander-Walker
Marc J. Spears:Jordan Poole
Ohm Youngmisuk:Jaren Jackson Jr.
Results: Jordan Poole 3, Michael Porter Jr. 2, Terance Mann 2, Lonzo Ball 1, Ja Morant 1, Jaren Jackson Jr. 1, Kevin Porter Jr. 1, Dejounte Murray 1, OG Anunoby 1, Nickeil Alexander-Walker 1, Tyrese Maxey 1,Tyler Herro 1.
Coach of the Year
Tim Bontemps:Quin Snyder
Jamal Collier: Monty Williams
Nick DePaula:Steve Nash
Nick Friedell:Michael Malone
Israel Gutierrez:Nate McMillan
Tim Legler: Erik Spoelstra
Andrew Lopez: Steve Nash
Tim MacMahon:Monty Williams
Bobby Marks:Erik Spoelstra
Dave McMenamin:James Borrego
Kevin Pelton:Tyronn Lue
Jorge Sedano:Erik Spoelstra
Ramona Shelburne:Nate McMillan
André Snellings:Tyronn Lue
Marc J. Spears:Tyronn Lue
Ohm Youngmisuk:Erik Spoelstra
Results: Erik Spoelstra 4, Tyronn Lue 3, Steve Nash 2, Monty Williams 2, Nate McMillan 2, Quin Snyder 1, Michael Malone 1, James Borrego 1.
