We are a couple of days away from the All-Star break and will be entering Fantasy Playoff Season soon and I’ve decided to hand out some awards to players who have dominated the fantasy season all year. Also handed out awards for players who crashed and burned from the start of the season. I based these awards on Player production, player availability, and players who can perform well across points and category leagues.
Fantasy Basketball MVP
Nikola Jokic - 26.7 Points 12.2 Rebounds 9 Assists 1.2 Steals 0.9 Blocks 1.1 Three’s 82% FT 58% FG (52 out of 55 games played)
Nikola Jokic continues to be the fantasy cheat code he has been for the past few seasons. Universally regarded in fantasy basketball as the unquestioned #1 overall pick in drafts every year because of his flawless game and consistent durability. Jokic fits in any build and can carry even the weakest structured rosters.
Nikola Jokic’s pump fake had Deandre Ayton LOST ?pic.twitter.com/IdhKg5Pq5S
Runner Ups - Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Joel Embiid
Rookie of the Year
Victor Wembanyama - 20.3 Points 10 Rebounds 3.1 Assists 1.6 Three’s 1.1 Steals 3 Blocks 81% FT 46% FG (47 out of 54 games played)
The rookie phenom has taken fantasy basketball by storm and has already garnered top-10 draft projections going into next year. In less than 30 minutes a game, he has put up insane numbers including a 10-block triple-double game against the Toronto Raptors on February 12th. It is unimaginable what type of fantasy range this player will have in the upcoming future, Wembanyama will be a #1 pick for years to come very soon.
Runners up-Chet Holmgren, Brandon Miller
Most Improved
Jalen Johnson - 15.7 Points 8.5 Rebounds 3.4 Assist 1.3 Steals 0.80 Blocks 1.2 Threes 75% FT 53% FG (39 out of 54 games played)
The breakout forward ranked 302nd in standard leagues last season coming off the bench in a minimal role for the Atlanta Hawks. But with the trade of John Collins to the Utah Jazz, Johnson was placed into the starting line-up a few games into the season and hasn’t disappointed yet. Johnson went mostly undrafted in fantasy leagues with the uncertainty of how he would fair as a full-time starter but this season he has surpassed all expectations and has put himself on the must-draft list going forward.
Jalen Johnson with a HUGE dunk in the clutch ? pic.twitter.com/Sf14Fgg7dr
Runner Ups - Kawhi Leonard, Scottie Barnes, Tyrese Maxey
Fantasy Let-Down Player of the Year
Jordan Poole- 15.8 Points 2.3 Rebounds 3.7 Assist 1 Steal 1.9 Three’s 86% FT 40% FG
The hype around Poole coming into the season was gigantic as he was labeled a “can’t miss” with the opportunities he’d have as the #1 option of a starless Washington Wizards team. Poole’s shockingly timid play and his immaturity have left him outside the top 150 in standard leagues with daily underwhelming performances. The red flags are all over Poole for next season’s fantasy draft as he will be going nowhere near the draft slot he was taking this year.
I miss this version of Jordan Poole. pic.twitter.com/YxloTfQwe4
Runner Up- Josh Giddey, Zach Lavine
All-NBA Fantasy 1st Team-
PG-Luka Doncic
SG-Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
SF-Kevin Durant
PF-Anthony Davis
C-Nikola Jokic
All-NBA Fantasy Rookie Team
G-Keyonte George
G-Brandon Podziemski
F-Brandon Miller
F-Chet Holmgren
C-Victor Wembanyama
All-NBA Fantasy Most Improved Team
G-Tyrese Maxey
G-Grayson Allen
F-Scottie Barnes
F-Jalen Johnson
C-Jarret Allen
All-NBA Fantasy Let Down Team
G-Lamelo Ball
G-Jordan Poole
F-Josh Giddey
F-Andrew Wiggins
C-Mark Williams
