2022 AWARDS

UPSYDE SPORTS PRESENTS:

2022 AWARDS:

These are basically just awards to players over the last 2 months, since the beginning of the year.

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER:

JOEL EMBIID - He's probably the front runner by most metrics for the year as well. Over the last two months, he's put up a ridiculous 33.4 PPG, 11.5 RPG, 4.9 APG, 0.8 SPG, 1.5 BPG, and 1.3 3PG. What's really elevated him is his ability to get to the line, and make them, and his excellent two-way contributions. You could make a strong case for Giannis and Jokic, both of whom are putting up equally impressive numbers, but the tie breaker for me is the 17-7 to Giannis' 12-10 record, and the 8 PPG delta over the Joker.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:

EVAN MOBLEY - Another award that will likely go to this player at year's end, Mobley has excelled even his draft expectations. Cade has gone on a late season run of late, but the defensive contributions, the rebounding, and overall impact are much more valuable with Mobley. Cade is probably the better offensive player, passer, and very well could be the more important piece in his franchise, but with Mobley's high usage, minutes, game availability, and his consistency, it will be tough to dethrone him at this point.

6TH MAN OF THE YEAR:

TYLER HERRO - So far, this article isn't going the way I wanted to, as Herro will also probably be the sixth man award winner. He's putting up starting numbers on a winning team and there are not a lot of faults in his game. They've gone 13-4 with him playing this year, has 44/36/85 splits, and his combination of solid passing and rebounding numbers from the 2-guard and his low turnover and foul rates make him the sure fire winner of this award.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

BAM ADEBAYO - He is sort of an underrated defender. He likely won't ever lead the league in a category, but since the beginning of the year, he has averaged 1.9 SPG, 1.4 BPG, and has one of the lowest defensive ratings per 100 possessions. With him off of the court, the Heat are a much different team, and they have gone 14-5 with him on the floor in 2022. Embiid and Jaren Jackson could also take this award, but I feel like defensive impact only, Adebayo is the more valuable player here.

MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:

ANFERNEE SIMONS - For the year, Ja Morant will likely win this award, but Simons has been extraordinary since taking the reins of this Blazers team. He's done so well in fact, they broke up the Lillard/McCollum backcourt after several seasons together. Simons gives you a lot of the same utility you got with CJ, but is 22, and has blossomed into a more efficient version of CJ - averaging 23.3 PPG, 2.8 RPG, 5.9 APG, and 4.3 3PG with 46/41/85 splits. Even with his high usage and minutes, he's only turning the ball over 2.8 times per game, and has actually kept the Blazers close to a .500 record without a second star.

COACH OF THE YEAR:

JASON KIDD - I don't think I've seen a coach do more with less in a long time. Since the beginning of the year, his record is 19-7, which would pace him for a 60-win season. He's done this without their second best player in Porzingis, who is now no longer with the team, and has created an incredible defensive force centered around Luka Doncic. He's developed Finney-Smith into a reliable fringe-elite defensive player, he's unlocked Jalen Brunson, and the two latest acquisitions - Bertans and Dinwiddie - are already improved over their previous situation. We will see if this is sustainable, but the Mavs are sort of the team nobody expected to be a threat, and now they are thanks to Kidd.

- Adam Safianow - NBA Analyst - Upsyde Sports [Copyright 2022]

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