The 2021-22 NBA regular season is now complete. It’s time to cast our annual award ballots here at The Sixer Sense. These ballots are not official and have no bearing on the eventual outcome, but it’s always fun to sift through the rubble of another bonkers, ceaselessly entertaining NBA season. There are too many award contenders to count, but we’ve done our best.
Joining me to cast his ballot is my co-site expert Lucas Johnson. The Sixers have several contenders here — Joel Embiid for MVP and All-Defense, Tyrese Maxey for Most Improved, James Harden for All-NBA, Matisse Thybulle for All-Defense, Paul Reed for MVP (fine, fine, scratch the last one). How many did we pick?
NBA award ballots: MVP
Christopher Kline
- Nikola Jokic, DEN
- Joel Embiid, PHI
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Devin Booker, PHX
- Luka Doncic, DAL
This has been a particularly difficult MVP debate to sift through. There have been plenty of bad-faith arguments on every side of the fence, and no fanbase appears willing to admit the one simple truth: Nikola Jokic, Joel Embiid, and Giannis Antetokounmpo all had historic, MVP-worthy seasons, and in a less aberrational year, all three would be runaway favorites.
At the end of the day, Jokic should probably win his second MVP award. He’s the most efficient three-level scorer in basketball, one of the truly great passers of his generation, and a much better defender than he gets credit for. The “he only impacts one side of the game” argument no longer stands. Obviously, Embiid is the most dominant and forceful scorer in the NBA and a damn good defensive anchor. Giannis could justifiably win Defensive Player of the Year, and the Bucks are better than both Philadelphia and Denver. All three have strong cases, but Jokic is my pick.
Lucas Johnson
- Joel Embiid, PHI
- Nikola Jokic, DEN
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Devin Booker, PHX
- DeMar DeRozan, CHI
Figuring out the awards this season was pretty tough compared to other years. Let’s start with the MVP, which I award to Joel Embiid who made NBA history on several fronts including leading the league in scoring. Embiid is the most dominant player in the NBA and deserves the MVP this season.
Nikola Jokic was a close second as he’s set an NBA record, but his lack of impact on both sides take him out of the running for me. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the type of player who could win it every year. Devin Booker is the best player on the best team so putting him in the top five was simple for me. Rounding it out is DeMar DeRozan who has carried the Chicago Bulls through a lot of injuries this season.
NBA award ballots: Defensive Player of the Year
Christopher Kline
- Rudy Gobert, UTH
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
Rudy Gobert is still the most dominant defender in the NBA. No player alters the opposing team’s offensive approach quite like Gobert. The Jazz have surrounded Gobert with consistently poor perimeter defenders, making his job difficult and hindering Utah’s overall performance. But, when push comes to shove, Gobert’s ability to keep the Jazz afloat despite the crumbling defensive structure around him deserves immense credit. He’s also the best defensive rebounder in the game, aside from maybe Nikola Jokic.
Giannis deserves credit, even in a season where he played significant stretches out of position at the five spot. Nobody can roam like Antetokounmpo, who uses his Stretch Armstrong wingspan and unmatched strength to swallow offensive possessions whole. Jaren Jackson Jr. was the NBA’s most prolific shot-blocker and stands at the center of Memphis’ elite defense.
Lucas Johnson
- Marcus Smart, BOS
- Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
- Mikal Bridges, PHX
For the first time since Gary Payton, I choose a guard in Marcus Smart as the player to win the Defensive Player of the Year award. Before going into consideration for this award, I promised myself two things. One, a Boston Celtics players was going to win it and two, Rudy Gobert wasn’t going to make my top three.
I kept both of these promises but figuring out which Celtics player was going to win was tricky. However, with Smart being the spearhead of their defense and Robert Williams missing the end of the regular season, the decision made itself. Mikal Bridges and Jaren Jackson Jr. both have legit cases, but Smart’s energy and leadership can’t be denied on that end of the court.
NBA award ballots: Most Improved Player
Christopher Kline
- Tyrese Maxey, PHI
- Ja Morant, MEM
- Darius Garland, CLE
This is a change of stance for me, as for the longest time I had Ja Morant penciled into the top spot. He made the superstar leap after missing the All-Star game last season. That’s the hardest and most important leap to make. That said, I’ve done some self-reflection and I’m no longer limited by the self-imposed, needlessly applied “no second-year players” rule that isn’t really a rule that has governed so many Most Improved votes over the years. Tyrese Maxey is the most improved NBA player, and I am no longer afraid to admit it.
Last season, Maxey was a fun but unreliable bench guard who couldn’t hang on defense. He leaned too much on the floater, avoided contact at the rim, and was a gun-shy, subpar 3-point shooter. This season, he’s one of the best 3-point shooters in the NBA, a truly gifted finisher at the cup, and one of the most dynamic offensive weapons for a title contender. Maxey has taken his “improve one percent every day” mantra to heart, and his unmatched work ethic continues to pay dividends.
Lucas Johnson
- Jordan Poole, GSW
- Miles Bridges, CHA
- Tyrese Maxey, PHI
The Most Improved Player award goes to Jordan Poole, although both Miles Bridges and Tyrese Maxey were close in consideration. When we did our awards on The Sixer Sense Podcast, I had Bridges winning the award but looking closer at Jordan Poole’s resumé, I had to give it to him.
Poole’s points per game jumped by 6.5 from last season to this season. It can be argued he’s the third “Splash Brother” next to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. It can be argued for most of this season he’s been the Golden State Warriors’ second best player.
NBA award ballots: Sixth Man of the Year
Christopher Kline
- Kevin Love, CLE
- Tyler Herro, MIA
- Cam Johnson, PHX
So I didn’t pick Tyler Herro. Edgy. Herro is delightful and he’s a genuinely gifted scoring machine, but it’s time we view the Sixth Man of the Year award as the “most valuable bench player” award, not the “player who scores the most points off the bench” award. Kevin Love was at the center of Cleveland’s ascent this season, buying into a smaller role and elevating the Cavs’ offense with his diverse skill set. Shooting, passing, rebounding — Love did it all, and Cleveland just isn’t as good as it is without Love anchoring the second unit.
Herro still deserves immense credit, and him winning the award (which he will) is by no means a miscarriage of justice. Cam Johnson deserves a shout too — he has come into his own as the primary 3-and-D weapon off the bench for the NBA’s best team.
Lucas Johnson
- Tyler Herro, MIA
- Kevin Love, CLE
- Kelly Oubre Jr., CHA
Sixth Man of the Year wasn’t close for me as Tyler Herro is the clear-cut winner of the award as he leads the NBA in bench scoring. Herro leads NBA reserves in scoring and is the Miami Heat’s second leading scorer behind Jimmy Butler.
Being the second leading scorer on the number one seed in the Eastern Conference certainly solidifies his case. Any other year, Kevin Love would have a real shot at this award and how Kelly Oubre has mophered himself into a legit sixth man is commendable, but neither can hold a candle to Herro this season.
NBA award ballots: Rookie of the Year
Christopher Kline
- Cade Cunningham, DET
- Evan Mobley, CLE
- Scottie Barnes, TOR
Cade Cunningham started the season on the injured reserve, then got off to a terrible start shooting the ball. And, after all that, he still deserves Rookie of the Year. No rookie reached higher heights than Cunningham, who by season’s end had the lowly Pistons playing near .500 basketball for a month. Cunningham averaged 21.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 6.5 assists after the All-Star break. He’s the best rookie, and therefore wins the award.
The next two are somewhat obvious. Evan Mobley was the co-defensive anchor of an elite Cavs defense for most of the season, providing a level of defensive versatility unique to only a handful of 7-footers. Scottie Barnes stuffed the stat sheet for a really good Raptors team, and deserves his flowers too.
Lucas Johnson
- Scottie Barnes, TOR
- Evan Mobley, CLE
- Cade Cunningham, DET
It was a close race but Scottie Barnes comes out on top for me in Rookie of the year thanks to his team’s late-season surge. He’s arguably the best two-way player from his draft class who’s on a top-end Eastern conference team.
Evan Mobley had a strong case but him getting injured near the end of the regular season took him out of the race. Cade Cunningham has a strong case but he was allowed to put up big numbers on a bad team and he started out the season slow which hurts his case.
NBA award ballots: Coach of the Year
Christopher Kline
- Monty Williams, PHX
- Taylor Jenkins, MEM
- J.B. Bickerstaff, CLE
Monty Williams should have won last season and he should win going away this season. The Suns were the best team in the NBA by far, out-classing opponents in just about every facet of the game. Williams has elevated the culture of a once toxic franchise and cemented them as regular contenders.
Taylor Jenkins and J.B. Bickerstaff round out the ballot for the tremendous jobs they have done in elevating young, deep teams to postseason contention. Memphis had the second best record in the NBA against all odds, and Cleveland came out of nowhere to establish itself as a team to watch moving forward. Erik Spoelstra was the toughest cut.
Lucas Johnson
- Monty Williams, PHX
- J.B. Bickerstaff, CLE
- Ime Udoka, BOS
It could be argued that the Phoenix Suns head coach Monty Williams was robbed of earning his first Coach of the Year award last season when it was given to the New York Knicks’ Tom Thibodeau.
This year that shouldn’t be the case. Don’t be mistaken — coaches like J.B. Bickerstaff and Ime Udoka should be in the running too for the jobs they’ve done with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics respectively — but at the end of the day, Williams is the head coach of the best team in the NBA which gives him the edge.
NBA award ballots: All-NBA teams
Christopher Kline
All-NBA First Team
- Luka Doncic, DAL
- Devin Booker, PHX
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Joel Embiid, PHI
- Nikola Jokic, DEN
All-NBA Second Team
- Ja Morant, MEM
- Chris Paul, PHX
- Jayson Tatum, BOS
- DeMar DeRozan, CHI
- Rudy Gobert, UTH
All-NBA Third Team
- Trae Young, ATL
- Stephen Curry, GSW
- Jimmy Butler, MIA
- Kevin Durant, BKN
- Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN
Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid have been the two best players in basketball this season. Both are center and forward eligible for All-NBA voting. Both should be first team All-NBA. The positional restrictions are outdated anyway, and it makes sense to put the five best players on the team meant to signal the NBA’s five best players.
Beyond that, Chris Paul was in the MVP running before his injury and deserves major credit for once again helping Phoenix to the top of the standings. The Suns are the best team in basketball, and Paul and Booker are two of the best guards in basketball. Apologies to LeBron James, who was marvelous, but the Lakers were truly terrible and he didn’t do much to elevate the feeling of absolute malaise around that team.
Lucas Johnson
All-NBA First Team
- Ja Morant, MEM
- Devin Booker, PHX
- DeMar DeRozan, CHI
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Joel Embiid, PHI
All-NBA Second Team
- Luka Doncic, DAL
- Stephen Curry, GSW
- Kevin Durant, BKN
- LeBron James, LAL
- Nikola Jokic, DEN
All-NBA Third Team
- Trae Young, ATL
- Donovan Mitchell, UTH
- Jaylen Brown, BOS
- Jayson Tatum, BOS
- Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN
For All-NBA, my criteria was simple: four out of five of my top MVP candidates made the first team with Jokic being the lone exception as he isn’t my MVP. There can only be one center for each team so I had to put him on second team. Players who were elite but had started out slow or were injured for a portion of the season made the second and third teams.
NBA award ballots: All-Defense teams
Christopher Kline
All-Defense First Team
- Marcus Smart, BOS
- Mikal Bridges, PHX
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
- Rudy Gobert, UTH
All-Defense Second Team
- Jrue Holiday, MIL
- Herbert Jones, NOP
- Evan Mobley, CLE
- Bam Adebayo, MIA
- Robert Williams III, BOS
Some possible positional fudging to get Herbert Jones on the second team, but he has defended guards more than adequately all season and he’s better than the alternatives (mainly Matisse Thybulle, whose inability to close games is an unfortunate but necessary factor to consider when evaluating the most valuable defenders). The rest is a pretty easy sell.
Lucas Johnson
All-Defense First Team
- Marcus Smart, BOS
- Mikal Bridges, PHX
- Giannis Antetokounmpo, MIL
- Jaren Jackson Jr., MEM
- Robert Williams III, BOS
All-Defense Second Team
- Dejounte Murray, SAS
- Matisse Thybulle, PHI
- Herbert Jones, NOP
- Draymond Green, GSW
- Jarrett Allen, CLE
My All-Defensive teams players were compiled of players either anchoring elite defenses in the NBA or great individual defenders. Thus the reason why Matisse Thybulle of the Sixers and rookie Herbert Jones made the second team.
NBA award ballots: All-Rookie teams
Christopher Kline
All-Rookie First Team
- Cade Cunningham, DET
- Herbert Jones, NOP
- Franz Wagner, ORL
- Scottie Barnes, TOR
- Evan Mobley, CLE
All-Rookie Second Team
- Josh Giddey, OKC
- Jalen Green, HOU
- Davion Mitchell, SAC
- Ayo Dosunmu, CHI
- Chris Duarte, IND
Much has been said about Jalen Green lately, who ended to season on an absolute tear but who unfortunately seems destined for second team All-Rookie. Thing is, it’s a season-long award, and Green just was not good enough for the first three months of the season. It’s that simple. Even Josh Giddey, who put up some historic numbers for OKC, is relegated to second team because it’s such a loaded rookie class. Herbert Jones is already a borderline top-10 NBA defender, so look beyond points per game.
Lucas Johnson
All-Rookie First Team
- Cade Cunningham, DET
- Chris Duarte, IND
- Franz Wagner, ORL
- Scottie Barnes, TOR
- Evan Mobley, CLE
All-Rookie Second Team
- Josh Giddey, OKC
- Jalen Green, HOU
- Bones Hyland, DEN
- Herbert Jones, NOP
- Jonathan Kuminga, GSW
Stats were the main determining factor for my All-Rookie teams, although winning and games played did help separate the first and second team players. I did struggle with having Herbert Jones on first or second team, but if he made my All-Defensive second team then he needs to be on the All-Rookie first team.