Daniel Waddleton
Apr 16, 2024
IT'S A LIFELONG dream of mine to one day cast my own NBA awards ballot as an official voter. Unfortunately, I'm not there yet, so for now, I'll have to settle for submitting my ballot to my blog
I genuinely take time into this beyond just watching games all year. When the season concludes I take a deeper look into all the players I'm considering for awards and will even dive into some film if I'm unsure about where to put some players.
Like anybody's ballot mine will not be perfect, nor will everybody agree with it. At the very least however, I want it to be known this ballot was carefully put together and I take pride in creating this.
Note: In filling out the All-NBA teams, I chose not to go position less because I disagree with the recent rule change. We've followed traditional positions since the beginning, and I believe it still makes sense to be building out a real team. For the All-Defensive and All-Rookie teams, I kept to the format of two guards, two forwards, and a center, but allowed for a bit more flexibility—without going overboard, of course. You won’t see five centers on the All-Defensive First Team because, frankly, I think that's just stupid and defeats the purpose of an All-Defensive "Team".
Most Valuable Player
Nikola Jokic, Denver
Luka Doncic, Dallas
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City
Jalen Brunson, New York
Rookie of the Year
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City
Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami
Defensive Player of the Year
Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
Anthony Davis, Los Angeles
Rudy Gobert, Minnesota
Sixth Man of the Year
Naz Reid, Minnesota
Malik Monk, Sacramento
Bobby Portis, Milwaukee
Most Improved Player
Coby White, Chicago
Jonathan Kuminga, Golden State
Donte DiVincenzo, New York
Coach of the Year
Jamahl Mosley, Orlando
Chris Finch, Minnesota
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City
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All-NBA First Team
G. Luka Doncic, Dallas
G. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City
F. Jayson Tatum, Boston
F. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee
C. Nikola Jokic, Denver
All-NBA Second Team
G. Jalen Brunson, New York
G. Devin Booker, Phoenix
F. Kevin Durant, Phoenix
F. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles
C. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles
All-NBA Third Team
G. Tyrese Haliburton, Indiana
G. Anthony Edwards, Minnesota
F. LeBron James, Los Angeles
F. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
C. Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento
All-Defensive First Team
G. Alex Caruso, Chicago
G. Jalen Suggs, Orlando
F. Herbert Jones, New Orleans
F. Jaden McDaniels, Minnesota
C. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
All-Defensive Second Team
G. Jrue Holiday, Boston
G. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Denver
F. Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles
F. Anthony Davis, Los Angeles
C. Bam Adebayo, Miami
All-Rookie First Team
G. Brandin Podziemski, Golden State
G. Brandon Miller, Charlotte
F. Jaime Jaquez Jr., Miami
F. Chet Holmgren, Oklahoma City
C. Victor Wembanyama, San Antonio
All-Rookie Second Team
G. Scoot Henderson, Portland
G. Cason Wallace, Oklahoma City
F. Amen Thompson, Houston
F. GG Jackson, Memphis
C. Dereck Lively II, Dallas
Most Difficult Snubs
Derrick White, Boston - All-Defensive Team
Stephen Curry, Golden State - All-NBA Third Team
Norman Powell, Los Angeles - Sixth Man of the Year
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