TSA Readers, Thank you again for your consistency of support, the abundance of engagement and the thundering outcry of your input throughout this process. Together, we made it to end of both the regular season and the end of this year’s Voting Blog. Joining us on this last blog is none other than Iggy Gilbert. As the postseason unfolds, we would like to present our final thoughts on whom we believe to be this season’s recipients of those coveted awards.

MVP

Iggy – Jokic. Week 25 player of the week, shallow bench and second best player missed several games

JR – Luka. I categorically and thoroughly believe that no man can carry a team in this league, very few can save one and only a handful can move one. Luka is that dude this season. Yes, he plays with Kyrie, a player whom pundits refer to as a future hall-of-famer. That does not disqualify Luka, or anyone, from being deserving of this award. In fact, what Luka did with that, a collection of shifty but non-All Star defenders, a short off-season (FIBA) and a stacked Western Conference all show me that Luka’s value far outpaces his fellow MVP-finalists.

ROY

JR – Victor Wembanyama. OK, we’ve essentially locked in the million reasons why he gets this award. It is not just media hype. The kid is doing what we thought Chet Holmgren would do for OKC. He’s been healthier than his whole draft class. He has outperformed most of LAST YEAR’S class too! The Spurs better capitalize on the kid quick before someone beings “The Alien” down do earth.

Iggy – Wemby. I don’t know who rookie 2 even is.

DPOY

Iggy – Rudy Gobert. He held down the number one defense of this season.

JR – Rudy Gobert. Hes been healthier this season, which has helped him produce more momentum changing blocks, redirect more paint penetrations and boost his team’s finish more than any other season. This may well be the 1st time I’d say he deserves the award.

CoTY

JR – Mark Daigneault. I feel like I should expand upon my repeat vote: This was a team formed by a bunch of great drsft picks, by a GM that does the same thing your cousin does in Uno – holds all the good cards to go out on a high note. The difference here is that it took coaching to take this team from surviving to thriving. Anyone can be given a decent team. Look at Los Angeles. How is it that a team with the league’s ear, in a city with the biggest stage, can barely get into the play-in, while a team that is in the middle of America on top of the harde conference? Coaching. That’s how.

Iggy – Rick Carlisle. Navigated his best player (Halliburton) getting hurt, secured playoff spot, andase mid season moves to possibly get the Pacers to the ECF

6th MoTY

Iggy – Monk. Naz Reid didn’t do enough to surpass Monk, even with Monk out late. Kings look like a different team without him

JR – Malik Monk. Despite the cratering of Sacramento, Monk has been an offensive gem for this team that has had bad luck coupled with untimely injuries. His play, shot selection and ability to maintain offenses has been the key in close games for Sac. Its not the season they hoped for, but hes been the thing the Kings need: glue.

MIP

JR – D’Angelo Russell. I haven’t mentioned him all season for 2 reasons: I didn’t want to jinx whatever secret stuff was working on him to get his shooting up, and I really wanted him to be my pick and mine alone. As important as AD is, as defining as LeBron is, as deflating as Ham is, DLo has stuck through the whole thing for 2 seasons and has clocked the most 3-point shots for the Lakers ever in a season. That type of performance on a team that has been one of the worst 3-point shooting teams (volume and efficiency) speaks volumes. His assist-to-turnover rate has improved. He has had less “wtf moments” this season, he’s a better help on defense… Ok. I’ll stop.

Iggy – Coby White. Coby White has filled the void and had his best year as the third best player of his team, he has far exceeded the role required. Most had given up on him

That wraps it up for us. Stay tuned to Twitter/X for the final tally of votes. Also, if you liked this, and want to see more from us, tune into our Playoff Show! We will be bringing you week to week coverage of this year’s playoffs! Give us a like, subscribe and we hope you’ll read our series again next season!