With the play-in tournament beginning today, my final award prediction post for this season is here, with all defensive and all-rookie teams. I have to include them in the same spot because tomorrow's post will be something different other than another award predictions article. stick around to see my predictions for the all-defensive and all-rookie teams.
All-Defensive 2nd team
Myles Turner
Joel Embiid
Draymond Green
Matisse Thybulle
Jimmy Butler
All-Defensive 1st team
Ben Simmons
Ben Simmons, the All-Star forward for the Philadelphia 76ers, isn't afraid to brag about his defensive abilities. Throughout the season, Simmons has stated that he believes he is the best defender in the league and, as a result, is worthy of the Defensive Player of the Year award. After a game against the Trail Blazers in February, Simmons said, "I take pride in guarding the best player on the floor every night." "I think I'm the best defender in the NBA," he says.
Jrue Holiday
Holiday is a versatile player who can contribute in both offensive and defensive situations. Though he's a legitimate offensive threat, it's on the defensive end of the floor where he shines. He's always been charged with guarding the other team's best guard, and he's a bulldog who makes their lives tough. This is one of the key reasons the Bucks placed such a high value on him when they acquired him in a big trade last offseason. Milwaukee is one of the best teams in the NBA this season, but Holiday's presence in the playoffs will be particularly felt as he lifts their ceiling.
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Last season, Antetokounmpo earned Defensive Player of the Year for his ability to seemingly do anything for Milwaukee's defence, and he's been nearly as effective this season. Antetokounmpo is one of only ten players in the NBA averaging at least one steal and one block per game – he has 1.2 of each – and the Bucks' defence is once again ranked in the top ten. Antetokounmpo, like Ben Simmons, has the height, stamina, and pace to trouble almost any offensive player, and as a result, he can guard multiple positions on the court.
Bam Adebayo
According to a recent report on SI.com, Adebayo is the league's most underrated defender, despite the fact that he has been ranked this high for weeks. Here's the claim, which receives no rebuttal: “Adebayo seems to be a much more voracious version of the player you last saw almost every time he steps on the court. While the majority of the improvements are more visible on offence, there have also been noticeable changes on defence, where Adebayo unlocks one of the NBA's most flexible and ruthless defences. On that side of the ball, it's hard to tell with 100 percent certainty or conviction that someone else is more complete.”
Rudy Gobert
Gobert has won the Defensive Player of the Year award in the past. He has won the award twice before (in 2018 and 2019), and he has a good chance of winning it for the third time this season. As the anchor for one of the NBA's most formidable defences, Gobert is probably the best paint defender in the league. He has the most defensive rebounds per game (10), is second in blocks per game (2.8), and is seventh in block percentage (74.6) in the NBA, but these statistics don't completely reflect Gobert's influence as a rim defender. Gobert changes numerous other shots that don't show up on the stat sheet due to his height and relative mobility.
These are my predictions for all-defensive teams this season. (see past article for DPOY predictions and winner)
All-Rookie 2nd team
Jae'sean Tate
Desmond Bane
Cole Anthony
Patrick Williams
James Wiseman
All-Rookie 1st team
Lamelo Ball
His simple stats are impressive: 15.9 points, 6.1 assists, 5.9 rebounds, 2.0 three-pointers, and 1.6 steals per game, with an above-average three-point percentage. Even those are muted by his position as a backup to begin the season. He's averaging 19.5 points and 6.2 assists per game as a starter, with a 58.5 percent true shooting rate. Ball is a highlight waiting to happen, even though the numbers don't show it. His passing vision and ingenuity helped the Hornets become a League Pass favourite (shout out to play-by-play commentator Eric Collins on that front too). And his penchant for the risky or dramatic pass isn't at the detriment of the squad. As Ball is on the court, Charlotte's point differential improves marginally.
Anthony Edwards
He's averaging 18.3 points per game right now, but that doesn't really represent his recent hot streak. 23.3 points, 43.5 field-goal percentage, 34.5 three-point percentage since the all-star break. As the old adage goes, Edwards' game seems to be slowing down. He's not pushing the issue as he was earlier in the season, but that doesn't imply he's giving up (in reality, he's increasing his attempts). He's just taking the admiring glances that come his way and finding out how to make himself more visible.
Tyrese Haliburton
For the time being, we should consider Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton to be a more steady, less flashy version of Ball. Haliburton averages 12.6 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.1 three-pointers per game, all of which are within shouting distance of each other. He just hasn't had as many dimes or shows that have captured his imagination. Haliburton does have an advantage over Ball in terms of quality. He's not only above-average from the field and three, but he also has the fourth-highest successful field-goal percentage of any rookie who has shot at least as many threes.
Emmanuel Quickley
Despite New York Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau's reputation for bringing rookies along slowly, Immanuel Quickley, a late first-round pick, forced his way into the rotation with heat-check scoring and an above-average three-point percentage. Quickley is scoring 11.8 points and 1.9 three-pointers in just 19.5 minutes. Quickley's 22.6 points per 75 possessions lead this group of rookies when speed and playing time are taken into account. In wins over replacement, he's third, and in BPM, he's second only to Ball.
Saddiq Bey
Saddiq Bey has been the bright spot on an otherwise dreadful Detroit Pistons team. Bey is one of the NBA rookies who have emerged as Rookie of the Year candidates in recent weeks. During his last three NBA games, he has increased his total 3-point attempts and is shooting over 45 percent from deep. Saddiq Bey is a versatile defender who can cover a variety of positions. In recent weeks, the Villanova freshman has shown significant growth in his rebounding, ball-stealing, and blocking.
these are my predictions for all-rookie teams this season. (see past article for ROTY predictions and winner)
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