Nikola Jokic, the second-round draft pick from Sombor, Serbia, is this season’s easy MVP selection. The Denver Nuggets point center averaged 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds and 8.3 assists, shooting 60.6 percent on 2-pointers, 38.8 on 3-pointers and 86.8 from the free throw line. He led the league in Estimated Plus-Minus, Box Plus-Minus and 538’s RAPTOR WAR. In a season with more excused absences than any other, from COVID-19 protocols to schedule-induced injuries, Jokic played in every game. When guard Jamal Murray tore his left ACL against the Golden State Warriors on April 12, the Nuggets (47-25) kept rolling, winning 13 of their last 18 games.
Stephen Curry scored 46 points on the last day of the season to win the scoring title. The Phoenix Suns made the playoffs for the first time in 11 seasons, while the New York Knicks made the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. Russell Westbrook chased triple-doubles, catching Oscar Roberson’s all-time record. James Harden joined Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in Brooklyn. They played eight games together. The Toronto Raptors played their games in Tampa, Fla. Tim Duncan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett were inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Marv Albert will retire after the Eastern Conference finals.
— Kevin Brewer
My 2020-21 season in review, awards and All-NBA teams:
TEAMS
Best record | Utah Jazz, 52-20, a 59-win pace
Worst record | Houston Rockets, 17-55, a 63-loss pace
Best offense | Brooklyn Nets
Best defense | Los Angeles Lakers
Fastest pace | Washington Wizards
Slowest pace | New York Knicks
AWARDS
Most Valuable Player | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Defensive Player of the Year | Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Best offensive player | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Most clutch player | Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Coach of the Year | Tom Thibodeau, Knicks
Teammate of the Year | Chris Paul, Suns
Rookie of the Year | LaMelo Ball, Hornets
Sixth Man of the Year | Joe Ingles, Jazz
ALL-NBA
First team
Forward | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Forward | Jimmy Butler, Heat
Center | Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Guard | Stephen Curry, Warriors
Guard | Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
Second team
Forward | Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Forward | LeBron James, Lakers
Center | Joel Embiid, 76ers
Guard | Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Guard | Chris Paul, Suns
Third team
Forward | Paul George, Clippers
Forward | Julius Randle, Knicks
Center | Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Guard | Mike Conley, Jazz
Guard | Jrue Holiday, Bucks
Honorable mention
Forward | Zion Williamson, Pelicans
Center | Bam Adebayo, Heat
ALL-DEFENSE
First team
Forward | Draymond Green, Warriors
Forward | Giannis Antetokounmpo, Bucks
Center | Rudy Gobert, Jazz
Guard | Ben Simmons, 76ers
Guard | Mike Conley, Jazz
Second team
Forward | Jimmy Butler, Heat
Forward | Julius Randle, Knicks
Center | Clint Capela, Hawks
Guard | Matisse Thybulle, 76ers
Guard | Fred VanVleet, Raptors
LEADERS
Box Plus-Minus | Nikola Jokic, 11.7
Real Plus-Minus | Stephen Curry, 7.2
Estimated Plus-Minus | Nikola Jokic, 7.9
Total RAPTOR | Nikola Jokic, 9.7
Scoring | Stephen Curry, 32.0
Rebounding | Clint Capela, 14.3
Assists | Russell Westbrook, 11.7
2-point percentage | Rudy Gobert, .680
3-point percentage | Joe Harris, .475
Free throw shooting | Chris Paul, .934
Steals | Jimmy Butler, 2.1
Blocks | Rudy Gobert, 2.7
SUPERLATIVES
Best shooter | Stephen Curry, Warriors
Best backcourt | Mike Conley and Donovan Mitchell, Jazz
Iron man | Julius Randle, Knicks
Tallest player | Tacko Fall, 7-5
Shortest player | Isaiah Thomas, 5-9
Best young player | Zion Williamson (20)
Best old player | Chis Paul (35)
Debut | LaMelo Ball
Farewell | LaMarcus Aldridge
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