NBA Awards Race: Powell Weighs In on ROY, 6MOY, MIP and MVP Ladder

As the 2025-26 NBA season nears its conclusion, the debate surrounding end-of-season awards and playoff implications intensifies. NBA.com Senior Writer Shaun Powell recently participated in a Reddit AMA, offering insights into his selections for Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, Most Improved Player and his rationale behind the latest MVP Ladder rankings.

Rookie of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year, and Most Improved Player

Powell decisively named Kon Knueppel as his Rookie of the Year pick, citing his durability and significant impact on his team’s success. Knueppel has played a key role with the Charlotte Hornets. The Most Improved Player award presented a more challenging decision, but Powell ultimately selected Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers, acknowledging his expanded role and consistent performance. For the Sixth Man of the Year, Powell leaned towards Peyton Pritchard or Derek White of the Boston Celtics, contingent on their eligibility, recognizing the ambiguity surrounding the award’s criteria.

MVP Ladder: Jaylen Brown Over Luka Dončić

Addressing a question regarding his previous placement of Jaylen Brown over Luka Dončić on the MVP ladder, Powell emphasized the dynamic nature of the rankings. He explained that the MVP ladder is an ongoing assessment throughout the season, and weekly rankings don’t dictate the final outcome. Powell highlighted Brown’s crucial role in carrying the Boston Celtics during Jayson Tatum’s absence, noting his significant impact, particularly against strong opponents. He stressed that the final MVP ladder, not any single weekly ranking, determines the ultimate order.

Powell acknowledged Dončić’s offensive prowess, comparing him favorably to Nikola Jokić and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but noted that Gilgeous-Alexander’s consistency and two-way play give him an edge. He predicted that Dončić has a strong chance of moving up the MVP ladder in the coming weeks.

Building the MVP Ladder: A Holistic Approach

Powell revealed his approach to constructing the MVP ladder, emphasizing a balance between statistical analysis and the “eye test.” While acknowledging the value of computerized data and plus/minus statistics, he prioritizes observing a player’s performance against top-tier competition. He considers a player’s statistical contributions, their impact on team wins, and avoids being swayed by short-term hot streaks, instead focusing on consistent performance throughout the entire season. He also noted that the MVP ladder takes into account how that player has played since opening night.

Non-Starter to Watch: Naz Reid

When asked about his favorite non-starter to watch, Powell highlighted Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid. He praised Reid’s smooth playing style, immediate impact off the bench, and valuable contributions to the Timberwolves, also noting that Reid is a contender for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

Anomalous Stats and Bam Adebayo’s Record-Breaking Night

Regarding Bam Adebayo’s record-breaking scoring performance, Powell attributed it to a combination of exceptional shooting and a favorable matchup against the Washington Wizards. He acknowledged the unusual circumstances surrounding the final minutes of the game, where the primary objective shifted from winning to helping Adebayo surpass Kobe Bryant’s scoring record. He emphasized that while the final push was unconventional, Adebayo’s initial scoring outburst was legitimate.

The Future of the East and West

Looking ahead to the playoffs, Powell predicted Conference Finals matchups of Boston versus Cleveland in the East and Oklahoma City versus San Antonio in the West. He acknowledged the Detroit Pistons’ strong regular season but believes the Celtics and Cavaliers possess greater playoff upside. He also highlighted the Spurs’ impressive development and potential to challenge the Thunder.

Jalen Johnson’s All-NBA Potential

Powell believes that Jalen Johnson of the Atlanta Hawks is a strong candidate for All-NBA selection, potentially earning a spot on the second team. He praised Johnson’s significant improvement, versatility, and impact on the Hawks, noting that he has become the team’s focal point.