Thank You TSA Readers for checking out another week in our voting blog. We know you’re wiping off the sweat from that blazing Women’s NCAA Championship Game! We also know you’re equally as turned up from the Men’s Championship game as well. However, the NBA is still going, is heating up, and is still garnering our attention! There have been some crazy finishes, blowouts and performances from games this week. They have affected our votes.

In fact, they have impacted our thought process so deeply that we needed to invite some help to level us out. Joining our voting blog this weekly is the hot ticket, Competitive Hedge Podcast (@HedgePod) with a couple of gems… maybe for toy to bet on! We also welcome back our highly-touted, fiery, Denver Nuggets and NBA enthusiast, TSA’s own Iggy Gilbert (@IDP_Iggy).

MVP

JR – Luka. For weeks, this award was SGA’s to win. I leaned hard on the team wins, the weeks’ worth of performances and the way each player lead their team to victory; Luka beats SGA in a landslide this week. Not only have we had a couple of monstrous performances by Doncic, but we’ve also had a better record and complete game against playoff-caliber teams. It’s getting close, but this might be Luka’s time.

Iggy – Jokic. Jokic proves it night in and night out that he is the most special player of this decade. Once he wins three he will be amongst some of the best all-time. He has played almost every game despite being hurt and has the nuggets in the hunt for first in the tough Western Conference.

CHP – SGA. Most efficient point guard season we have seen in a long time.

ROY – You guessed it: Victor Wembanyama.

Iggy- He has simply been the best rookie player and is a TRUE rookie. The difference for second and best player and Wembanyama is the difference from a Porsche and a 4 cylinder Prius. Each have their spot but the Porsche is moving differently.

JR – It’s virtually too late for anyone to come and take this award from Wemby. There are too many stats, too many votes and too many highlights to overcome. It isn’t fair. It’s sport. And in this one, Wembanyama is the best performer of his class.

CHP – The French star has been as advertised on both ends of the floor. The Spur may be a bottom five team, but that is not due to Victor.

DPOY

Iggy – Victor Wembanyama. Once again his blocks and steals are off the chart. He’s just playing minutes and unlike Rudy Gobert, Wembanyama doesn’t have another great defender on his team. He is asked to much more than most defensive forwards.

JR – Rudy Gobert. I caved this week. It’s hard to argue the leap from a Naz Reid to Rudy on the defensive end, especially when that boost compliments the backcourt. Even if KAT doesn’t get back to 100 percent, the results in wins over the last week due to the increase in interior defense shows me that it’s enough French cuisine to cook in the West this season.

CoTY

CHP- Mark Daigneault. We are talking about the 10 seed in the Western Conference last year, who went 40-42, vaulting up to first in the West sitting on 52 wins as of today. The only real roster change is actually have Chet Holmgren in the lineup. They are 3-1 against the defending NBA champions as well, so they are beating quality teams quite frequently. The Thunder are thrid in points per game, second in field goal percentage and a top ten defensive team in the league as well. The youth movement is working in Oklahoma City and Daigneault is a big reason why.

Iggy – Michael Malone. Managing multiple injuries to Jamal Murray this season, replaced the two most crucial bench players with young players they drafted. Just An amazing performance and he should get sympathy votes because no one gave him props for last year.

JR – Chris Finch. Gotta show love in place of the hate I’ve thrown this team. Finch has lead this team to commit to two things: Offensive efficiency and defense. The team has looked 100% better, especially Anthony Edwards. Finch brought over the right vet in Mike Conley Jr to help the whole thing gel. Although there have been some questionable losses this season, the proof is in the pudding: This team is ready for more than an early playoff exit.

MIP

JR – Anthony Edwards. Lets go ahead and double down on Minnesota. The kid has improved his pass and shot selection, backcourt defense, is much more reliable with the ball in his hands this year, down the stretch, in close games and has continued to rise as the leader in Minnesota. That summer with FIBA definitely helped, but this was better than expected.

Iggy – Coby White. Coby white has quietly been a high minute player, and put some wins on his back. No one expected this from him this year.

6th MoTY – Before we get into these responses, I wanted to note the voting that we had for this award on X/Twitter This is from the people:

Iggy – Malik Monk. He’s such a good player off the bench that him being injured against Dallas completely tilted their playoff chances. They are certainly aren’t expected to get out of the first round. Could he pair up with Wembanyama in San Antonio?

JR – Jordan Clarkson. As soon as Colin Sexton came over to Utah, the writing was on the wall what would happen with Clarkson’s minutes and productivity. He has been the most savvy back up SG in the league for a team that had zero thoughts of building with him. He has almost single-handedly kept the Jazz from being in a spot where the Wizards and Pistons belong: the gutter.

That wraps up this week. We’re in the home stretch! Did we get it right? Who did we miss this time? Think you have a better vote? Why not let us know? We’re taking notes, and also, YOUR VOTE. Stay tuned for more!