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DWW Staff Roundtable: 2021 NBA Awards Predictions

By Dylan Jackson

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors drives against Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena on January 14, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement (Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 02: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 02: LaMelo Ball #2 of the Charlotte Hornets. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /

NBA Awards: All-Rookie First Team

DJ – LaMelo Ball (CLT), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Saddiq Bey (DET), Isaiah Stewart (DET)

I really think the Detroit Pistons knocked their most recent draft out of the park. Bey actually won Eastern Conference player of the week once this year, and Stewart has been a great young big. Killian Hayes has been underwhelming, though. The only question I have here was Bey vs. Jae’Sean Tate, as both of those players have an argument for that last forward spot.

PL – LaMelo Ball (CLT), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Immanuel Quickley (NYK), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Saddiq Bey (DET)

LaMelo Ball, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Haliburton are in a close race for Rookie of the Year and have been proving they can be dangerous for years to come. Each player is averaging at least 10 points per game and at least 47 percent for effective field goal percentage. The fact that these five players have been able to perform the way they have in a shortened season and short offseason has been impressive by itself.

PF – LaMelo Ball (CLT), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Patrick Williams (CHI), Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)

Ball, Edwards, and Haliburton are no-brainers as the top three players of this year’s class. I went with Tate and Williams to round out the first team over the likes of Isaiah Quickley, James Wiseman, and Saddiq Bey because of their all-around impact on the game.

BW – LaMelo Ball (CLT), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Immanuel Quickley (NYK), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)

BF – LaMelo Ball (CLT), Tyrese Haliburton (SAC), Immanuel Quickley (NYK), Anthony Edwards (MIN), Jae’Sean Tate (HOU)

The first four spots are locks as it’s pretty clear they’ve been the best four rookies this year. Jae’Sean Tate gets my fifth spot. He’s a pesky, physical defender who is a very good finisher at the rim and has shown good playmaking ability. His advanced numbers are also some of the best of the rookie class, leading in win shares and RAPTOR wins above replacement.

FINAL COUNT: LaMelo Ball (unanimous), Anthony Edwards (unanimous), Tyrese Haliburton (unanimous), Immanuel Quickley 3, Jae’Sean Tate 3, Saddiq Bey 2, Isaiah Stewart 1, Patrick Williams 1

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