NBA MVP race: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads Tim Bontemps' awards ballot

NBA analyst Tim Bontemps has cast his votes for major awards. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is his MVP pick, but eligibility rules are impacting other players.
By Newsroom | Sports, Basketball |

Bontemps Finalizes Major Award Ballots

Tim Bontemps, an NBA analyst, has cast his official votes for the league's most significant individual honors. His ballot encompasses seven end-of-season awards—Most Valuable Player (MVP), Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player (MIP), and Clutch Player of the Year—along with the All-NBA, All-Defense, and All-Rookie teams.

NBA awards: Bontemps' ballot for MVP, top rookie, every honor - 1

Key details from Bontemps' selections highlight Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his top choice for MVP, a stance consistent with recent league-wide discussions. Gilgeous-Alexander is positioned to become the 16th player in NBA history to secure multiple MVP titles if his selection holds. Bontemps also recognized Cade Cunningham for his significant contribution to the Detroit Pistons' most successful season in decades. Additionally, Duren and Avdija were acknowledged for Most Improved Player.

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NBA awards: Bontemps' ballot for MVP, top rookie, every honor - 2

The landscape of award eligibility continues to be shaped by the league's '65-game rule'. This stipulation requires players to participate in a minimum number of games to qualify for major awards.

NBA awards: Bontemps' ballot for MVP, top rookie, every honor - 3

MVP CONVERSATION HEATS UP

The MVP race appears to center around a select group. While Gilgeous-Alexander leads Bontemps' ballot, other players are making strong cases. Victor Wembanyama has emerged as a formidable contender, potentially becoming the youngest MVP since Derrick Rose. Luka Doncic, despite past injury concerns impacting his eligibility for All-NBA selections, is back in the MVP discussion. Recent reports indicate that Doncic would be ineligible for MVP and All-NBA if he misses the Lakers' final five regular-season games.

NBA awards: Bontemps' ballot for MVP, top rookie, every honor - 4

The rookie class is also drawing attention. Edgecombe, the third overall pick, received votes, while Knueppel reportedly holds a substantial lead for Rookie of the Year, with 80 first-place votes. Castle has also been named Rookie of the Year, and Risacher headlines the All-Rookie First Team.

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ALL-NBA SELECTIONS

Bontemps' All-NBA First Team includes:

  • Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Oklahoma City Thunder)

  • Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets)

  • Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)

  • Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics)

  • Jalen Brunson (New York Knicks)

The Second Team features Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell (both Cleveland Cavaliers), Anthony Edwards (Minnesota Timberwolves), and LeBron James (Los Angeles Lakers). The Third Team comprises James Harden (LA Clippers), Cade Cunningham (Detroit Pistons), Karl-Anthony Towns (New York Knicks), Jalen Williams (Oklahoma City Thunder), and Jaren Jackson Jr. (Memphis Grizzlies).

BROADER AWARD CONTEXT

Looking at other awards, Mobley has been recognized with the Kia Defensive Player of the Year award. The '24-'25 Coach of the Year was Atkinson of the Cavaliers, while Daniels of the Hawks received the Kia NBA MIP award. The Sixth Man honor went to Pritchard. Past awards indicate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander won the '24-'25 Kia MVP. The eligibility rules, particularly the 65-game minimum, have been a recurring talking point, affecting players like Wembanyama, whose participation in the NBA Cup final counted towards his minimum games played.

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BACKGROUND ON NBA AWARDS

The NBA's end-of-season awards recognize the league's top performers. The MVP award, historically significant, was previously known as the Maurice Podoloff Trophy. Players like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar have dominated the award multiple times. Eligibility for these awards, especially the MVP, DPOY, and MIP, along with All-NBA and All-Defensive Teams, is contingent on meeting specific game-played criteria. The 65-game minimum rule was implemented to ensure that players who receive these accolades have participated significantly throughout the regular season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who did Tim Bontemps pick for NBA MVP?
Tim Bontemps chose Shai Gilgeous-Alexander as his Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the NBA season. This choice puts Gilgeous-Alexander in line to potentially win multiple MVP titles if his selection is confirmed by the league.
Q: Which players were chosen for the All-NBA First Team by Tim Bontemps?
Tim Bontemps' All-NBA First Team includes Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Jayson Tatum, and Jalen Brunson. These players are recognized as the top performers in the league this season.
Q: How do NBA award eligibility rules affect players?
The NBA's '65-game rule' means players must play a minimum number of games to be eligible for major awards like MVP and All-NBA teams. This rule has caused debate and may affect players like Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama.
Q: Who else received recognition on Tim Bontemps' awards ballot?
Bontemps also voted for Cade Cunningham for his strong season, and acknowledged Duren and Avdija for Most Improved Player. Other players like Evan Mobley and Donovan Mitchell were named to the Second Team.
Q: What is the '65-game rule' in the NBA?
The '65-game rule' is a league requirement stating that players must participate in at least 65 games during the regular season to qualify for major individual awards and All-NBA teams. This rule aims to reward players who are consistently available throughout the season.