Honestly, if you think the national basketball association awards are just about who puts the most balls in the hoop, you haven't been paying attention. It’s way messier than that. The hardware—the Michael Jordan Trophy, the Hakeem Olajuwon, the Jerry West—it all represents a massive tug-of-war between old-school scouting and the new "spreadsheet" era.
Take last season. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander taking home the MVP was a vibe shift. For years, we were stuck in the Nikola Jokic vs. Joel Embiid loop. But SGA’s 2024-25 campaign proved that voters are finally looking at the "two-way" impact differently. It wasn't just the 30 points a night. It was the fact that he was actually clamping people on the other end while leading a team that was supposed to be "too young" to the top of the West.
The 65-Game Rule: The Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about national basketball association awards these days without mentioning the eligibility rule. Players have to suit up for 65 games (with at least 20 minutes played in each) to even be considered.
It changed everything.
Last year, some of your favorite players weren't even on the ballot. It feels harsh. But the league wanted to kill "load management." Did it work? Sorta. You saw guys playing through minor ankle sprains just to stay in the hunt for those contract escalators. Because remember, these awards aren't just for the trophy case. For guys like Evan Mobley, who snagged the Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), it literally meant tens of millions of dollars in his next contract.
👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts
Why the Clutch Player Award is Actually Cool
The Jerry West Trophy is the newest kid on the block. People clowned it at first. "Wait, so we're rewarding guys for being bad for three quarters and good for five minutes?" Not really. Jalen Brunson won it last year, and if you watched the Knicks, you know why.
The NBA defines "clutch" as the final five minutes of a game when the score is within five points. Brunson was a surgeon in those minutes. It’s about the psychological weight of the shot. Some guys shrink. He grew. It's probably the most "human" award we have because it measures nerves, not just vertical leap.
The 2024-25 Award Winners: A Quick Refresher
- Most Valuable Player (Michael Jordan Trophy): Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder). He beat out Jokic and Giannis in a race that was way closer than the final vote suggested.
- Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley (Cavaliers). He's the youngest guy to win it since Dwight Howard. The "Great Barrier Thief" Dyson Daniels was close, but Mobley's rim protection was just too elite.
- Rookie of the Year: Stephon Castle (Spurs). Everyone thought it would be Zaccharie Risacher, but Castle’s impact on winning in San Antonio was undeniable.
- Most Improved Player: Dyson Daniels (Hawks). Moving to Atlanta unlocked him. He went from a defensive specialist to a legitimate secondary playmaker.
- Sixth Man of the Year: Ty Jerome (Cavaliers). Bench depth won Cleveland 64 games last year. Jerome was the engine.
The Bias Nobody Talks About
We need to be real about the "narrative."
The media votes on these. Humans have biases. We love a "comeback" story. We love the "overlooked small market" story. That’s why Shai winning was such a big deal—Oklahoma City isn't exactly a media mecca. But the 2026 voting cycle is already looking weird.
✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
The "voter fatigue" is a real thing. It’s why LeBron doesn't have 10 MVPs. At some point, people get bored of greatness. They want someone new. If you're betting on or even just debating these awards, always look for the guy the media wants to write about, not just the guy with the highest PER (Player Efficiency Rating).
All-Star Voting: The 2026 Experiment
Right now, we're in the middle of the 2026 All-Star voting, and it’s a circus. The NBA moved to this U.S. vs. World format because the old East vs. West games were becoming glorified lay-up lines.
The World team is terrifying.
You've got Jokic, Giannis, SGA, Luka, and Wemby. Like, how does the U.S. even compete with that? The voting is split: 50% fans, 25% players, and 25% media. Fans usually vote for the biggest names, even if they're injured or playing like trash. Players usually vote for the guys they respect in the "mid-range." Media tries to be the "adults in the room." It usually ends up in a weird middle ground where someone like Austin Reaves almost starts because of the fan vote.
🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
What You Should Watch For
If you want to stay ahead of the curve on national basketball association awards, stop looking at the box score. Start looking at "on-off" splits.
How much does the team crater when that player sits? That’s what the smart voters are looking at now. They’re using tracking data—stuff like "contested shot percentage" and "gravity ratings."
Actionable Insights for NBA Fans:
- Track the Games Played: Bookmark a tracker for the 65-game rule. If your MVP pick hits 18 missed games, they're out. Period.
- Watch the Standings: The NBA rarely gives MVP to anyone below a 4th seed. It’s just how it is. Winning matters.
- Check the "3-for-1" Days: For All-Star voting, the NBA has specific days where your vote counts triple. If you want your team's guy in, those are the days to spam the app.
- Ignore the "First Half" Hype: Award races are won in March and April. A hot start in November is usually forgotten by the time the ballots go out.
The awards aren't perfect. They're a mix of math, politics, and pure hoop vibes. But that’s exactly why we can’t stop talking about them.