Dunking With Wolves
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
8 of 9
Next
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA – APRIL 27: Giannis Antetokounmpo #34 of the Milwaukee Bucks. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /

NBA Awards: All-NBA First Team

DJ – Damian Lillard (POR), Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Nikola Jokic (DEN)

I’m a firm believer in what Damian Lillard was able to do over the course of the middle of this season without either Jusuf Nurkic or CJ McCollum. The Blazers have their own roster issues, yes, but Lillard is special. I don’t see anyone else that could vy for any of these five spots other than James Harden.

PL – Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Nikola Jokic (DEN), Joel Embiid (PHI)

Every player on this list is a candidate for Most Valuable player and have had excellent seasons. All these players are on teams currently in the playoffs or in the play-in tournament. Each player is averaging over 25 points per game and an effective field goal percentage of at least 54 percent and even though points isn’t the only factor in deciding who makes the first team, it is certainly a big factor.

PF – Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Julius Randle (NYK), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Nikola Jokic (DEN)

My pick for MVP, Nikola Jokic gets the edge at center once again over Embiid. Steph curry is having a renaissance season trying to keep the ship afloat for an undermanned Golden State team. Luka nudges out Damian Lillard and Chris Paul because of his even-keel and stellar play across the entire season. My MIP Julius Randle gets the forward nod alongside Giannis ahead of a bunch of guys who have just missed too many games to be considered (LeBron, Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, Kevin Durant). It’s too bad the NBA still recognizes positions for All-NBA teams because Embiid deserves to be on the first team this season, but his case is harder to gerrymander than Anthony Davis’ a year ago.

BW – Chris Paul (PHX), Nikola Jokic (DEN), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Julius Randle (NYK), Joel Embiid (PHI)

BF – Steph Curry (GS), Luka Doncic (DAL), Kawhi Leonard (LAC), Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL), Nikola Jokic (DEN)

Jokic, Antetokounmpo, and Curry shouldn’t be debatable. It was close between Leonard and LeBron James but a difference of over 200 minutes played matters. Leonard is having his best offensive season since his Spurs days and he continues to be a top tier defender. Both Doncic and Damian Lillard carry huge offensive responsibilities but I gave the slightest of edges to Luka for his playmaking and I think he’ll keep the Mavs out of the play-in.

FINAL COUNT: Nikola Jokic (unanimous), Giannis Antetokounmpo (unanimous), Luka Doncic 4, Steph Curry 4, Julius Randle 2, Joel Embiid 2, Damian Lillard 1, Chris Paul 1, Kawhi Leonard 1

Home/Timberwolves News