SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 06: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets stands in between Otto Porter Jr. #32, Draymond Green #23, Stephen Curry #30 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors during their game at Chase Center on October 06, 2021 in San Francisco, California, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
We have reached the halfway point of the NBA season, making it the perfect time to touch base with all the NBA awards races. Last month, after the first 20 games of the season, we checked in with each race, and now there has certainly been some movement.
At each of the quarter poles, we will be looking at the races for the six major awards – Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP.
2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot
For each award, we will look at our current pick, as well as two runners up to mirror the way the finalists are announced by the NBA.
Where do the races for each of the NBA awards stand at the halfway point? We check in on the top three candidates for each of the major six awards to see where they stand.
Most of the change has come with the runners-up for each of the awards, with half of the current winners being the same as they were at the quarter mark.
However, plenty of new entries find themselves on the ballot now. This is further proof of just how volatile the awards races are. At the quarter pole, the Washington Wizards were one of the hottest teams in the league and the NBA had not yet been ravaged by health and safety protocols. Projecting what is yet to come is quite the challenge indeed.
Let’s get started.
we checked in with each race</a>, and now there has certainly been some movement.</p>
<p>At each of the quarter poles, we will be looking at the races for the six major awards – Sixth Man of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Most Improved Player, Defensive Player of the Year, and MVP.</p>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot</h2>
<p>For each award, we will look at our current pick, as well as two runners up to mirror the way the finalists are announced by the NBA.</p>
<p>Where do the races for each of the NBA awards stand at the halfway point? We check in on the top three candidates for each of the major six awards to see where they stand.</p>
<p>Most of the change has come with the runners-up for each of the awards, with half of the current winners being the same as they were at the quarter mark.</p>
<p>However, plenty of new entries find themselves on the ballot now. This is further proof of just how volatile the awards races are. At the quarter pole, the Washington Wizards were one of the hottest teams in the league and the NBA had not yet been ravaged by health and safety protocols. Projecting what is yet to come is quite the challenge indeed.</p>
<p>Let’s get started.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sixth Man </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440712" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440712 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1363059505.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1363059505.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1363059505-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">PORTLAND, OREGON – JANUARY 05: Tyler Herro # 14 of the Miami Heat looks on during the first half against the Portland Trail Blazers at Moda Center on January 05, 2022 in Portland, Oregon, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Soobum Im/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: Sixth Man of the Half-Year – Tyler Herro</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: Kevin Love, Kelly Oubre, Jr.</em></p>
<p>One of the constants of the season thus far has been Tyler Herro being the go-to scorer for the Miami Heat. Despite plenty of other players missing time for various reasons, Herro has been around for nearly all of the games so far.</p>
<p>He is second on his team in scoring, lagging behind only Jimmy Butler. He is the best bench scorer in the league, averaging 20.6 points per game on shooting splits of .428/.388/.870. The next closest scorer is a full four points off his pace. Combine that with being the fulcrum of a contender, Herro is the choice.</p>
<p>That second-leading scorer is Kelly Oubre Jr., who is posting a line of 16.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game. He has found himself a comfortable role on one of the most fun stories in the league.</p>
<p>The last entry on the list is a nod to one man who is now removed and a surprise replacement. Ricky Rubio seemed to be clearly in the conversation, one of the bright spots for the surprising Cleveland Cavaliers. However, after tearing his ACL he is officially removed from contention.</p>
<p>His teammate, Kevin Love, will have to suffice for now. The former multi-time All-Star has finally taken to coming off the bench for Cleveland and is thriving. He is second amongst all reserves in rebounds (7.0 per game in games he came off the bench) while adding 14.0 points and 2.0 assists per game. With stellar 3-point shooting (40.8 percent on 6.2 attempts per game) and solid defense, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://hoopshabit.com/2021/12/23/cleveland-cavaliers-kevin-love-glory/">Love’s career resurgence may finally be underway.</a></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Rookie </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440713" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440713 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1362461443.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362461443.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362461443-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 02: Evan Mobley #4 of the Cleveland Cavaliers reacts to a call during the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on January 02, 2022 in Cleveland, Ohio, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. The Cavaliers defeated the Pacers 108-104. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: Rookie of the Half-Year – Evan Mobley</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: Franz Wagner, Cade Cunningham</em></p>
<p>Evan Mobley has missed time due to injury and COVID concerns and is still unshakable from the top spot in this race. He is making the case for an All-Defensive Team as a rookie, something only 26 players have done before. Mobley is a walking scheme and is one of the driving factors in the Cleveland Cavalier’s surprising success this season (more on that to come).</p>
<p>Cade Cunningham has been streaky to an extent, but when he pops, he is a lethal scoring option who does all the things essential to winning. His explosion against the Utah Jazz (albeit without Rudy Gobert) put those not paying attention on notice.</p>
<p>Then, this weekend, he was off to another stellar performance against a top team before getting ejected for pointing. To me, Cade Cunningham is the only player that could actually challenge Evan Mobley for rookie of the year.</p>
<p>For much of the early season, Scottie Barnes would have been the third name on this list, but his slight skid has coincided with the rising dominance of Franz Wagner.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/basketball/news/magics-franz-wagner-ends-double-digit-scoring-streak/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">He had a 21-game streak</a> of scoring in double figures, averaging 18.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game over that stretch. Barnes will have a chance to get back on the list, but Wagner has more than earned his spot so far.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Coach </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440714" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440714 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_1263,w_1600/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1359924513.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="1600" height="1263" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359924513.jpeg 1600w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1359924513-768x606.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1600px) 100vw, 1600px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:1600px;">CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – DECEMBER 19: Head coach Billy Donovan of the Chicago Bulls has a few words with DeMar DeRozan #11 in the final seconds of a game against the Los Angeles Lakers at the United Center on December 19, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. The Bulls defeated the Lakers 115-110. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: Coach of the Half-Year – Billy Donovan</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: Taylor Jenkins, J.B. Bickerstaff</em></p>
<p>Given that the Chicago Bulls have stormed out to the best record in the Eastern Conference, Billy Donovan was always going to be in consideration. Coming into the season with plenty of question marks on a roster filled with newcomers, many expected the Bulls to be a borderline playoff team.</p>
<p>Instead, they are at the top of the Conference and fourth in offensive rating. Donovan consistently finds ways to put his players in a position to succeed and should be awarded accordingly.</p>
<p>There were countless names that could round out the ballot at this point, but for now, we have settled on Taylor Jenkins and J.B. Bickerstaff.</p>
<p>Jenkins has taken the upstart Memphis Grizzlies to a surprising four-seed at the halfway mark, despite Ja Morant missing 13 games. Much like any of the awards, some go to the leap of Ja Morant to a borderline MVP candidate or Desmond Bane being in the Most Improved conversation, but coaching plays a huge role in that. The recent 11-game winning streak does not hurt his place on this list either.</p>
<p>Bickerstaff has dealt with season-ending injuries to Ricky Rubio and Collin Sexton but has found himself with three potential All-Star candidates and his system thriving. Integrating Mobley into a system already built around Jarrett Allen has enabled them to be a stingy defense. Darius Garland has taken a leap. Kevin Love has bought back in. Everything is coming up right for Cleveland right now.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> MIP </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440715" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440715 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1361177578.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361177578.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1361177578-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">CLEVELAND, OHIO – DECEMBER 26: Justin Anderson #1 celebrates with Darius Garland #10 of the Cleveland Cavaliers during the third quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on December 26, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors 144-99. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: Most Improved Player – Darius Garland</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: Miles Bridges, Desmond Bane</em></p>
<p>Right now, the answer is Darius Garland. The fit with Collin Sexton and Darius Garland tended to favor the former over the first two years of Garland’s career. With Sexton out, Garland has shut the door on that for good.</p>
<p>He is averaging 19.7 points (up 2.3 from a season ago), 7.8 assists (up 1.7), 3.3 rebounds (up 0.9) and 1.3 steals (up 0.1) per game. He is attempting two more three-pointers per game and his efficiency has dipped, but not alarmingly so (39.5 to 37.0).</p>
<p>Garland is shooting nearly two percent better overall and remains an elite free throw shooter. Most importantly, the point guard is in the midst of proving he can be the offensive focal point for a playoff team.</p>
<p>Miles Bridges was the pick at the quarter-pole and remains on the ballot. His counting numbers have improved more than Garland (most notably his scoring jumping from 12.7 points to 19.6 points per game), but his efficiency has dipped across the board. In a race this close, that is enough to lose the lead.</p>
<p>Personally, I tend to not like putting a second-year player in the running for this award because they’re typically and expectedly is a jump from the first to the second season. Desmond Bane is the type that bucks that rule, making a different kind of leap.</p>
<p>He is redefining the future for the Memphis Grizzlies by becoming a legit second option on offense, averaging 17.5 points on shooting splits of .466/.420/.896. Evolving as a scorer truly changes the game.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Defensive Player </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440716" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440716 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2135,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1362652747.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="3200" height="2135" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362652747.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1362652747-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 03: Draymond Green #23 reacts after Jordan Poole #3 of the Golden State Warriors dunks the ball on Omer Yurtseven #77 of the Miami Heat in the second half at Chase Center on January 03, 2022 in San Francisco, California, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: Defensive Player of the Half-Year – Draymond Green</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: Rudy Gobert, Giannis Antetokounmpo</em></p>
<p>This is Draymond Green’s award to lose. He is the defensive anchor on the best defensive unit in the league. He is like a general on the court and can guard multiple positions.</p>
<p>As the standard for defensive forwards in this generation (not named Kawhi Leonard), Green has bounced back as much as the Golden State Warriors have as a unit and are back to being in the midst of all of the award races.</p>
<p>Green is the type of player that advanced stats will be created for in the future just to fully explain just how dominant he was, because the current statistical parlance is not fit to fully communicate it.</p>
<p>Rudy Gobert is still the most dominant anchor in the paint overall and has been amazing statistically. He is first in defensive rebounds (11.5), first in overall rebounds (15.1), and second in blocks (2.3). As the Utah Jazz storm through another dominant regular season, Gobert will not be going anywhere.</p>
<p>Another former Defensive Player of the Year rounds out the ballot. No matter who is in and out of the lineup, Giannis Antetokounmpo dominates on both ends of the floor.</p>
<p>The Milwaukee Bucks are seventh in defensive rating but would be much worse, given the absences they have dealt with, if not for Antetokounmpo.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> MVP </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_440717" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="wp-image-440717 size-full" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1363187542.jpeg" alt="2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1363187542.jpeg 3200w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1363187542-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">DENVER, CO – JANUARY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets hauls in a rebound against Udoka Azubuike #20 of the Utah Jazz during the second quarter at Ball Arena on January 5, 2022 in Denver, Colorado, 2022 NBA Awards Watch: The official halfway-point ballot. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by C. Morgan Engel/Getty Images)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2>2022 NBA Awards Watch: MVP – Nikola Jokic</h2>
<p><em>Honorable Mentions: LeBron James, Stephen Curry</em></p>
<p>Simply put, Nikola Jokic is a wizard. He is having a better season than the one he had last year, averaging 25.3 points, 13.9 rebounds (second in the league, career-high), 7.2 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.</p>
<p>He is posting a career-high effective field goal percentage (60.9 percent) and has improved noticeably as a defender. The MVP is rarely awarded to a team outside of the top seeds, but dragging a Denver Nuggets team with consistent $34 million in combined holes in the starting lineup should shake that narrative.</p>
<p>Stephen Curry currently holds a thin margin over the rest of an increasingly deep group of MVP candidates. So far, Curry is averaging 26.3 points, 6.0 assists, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game on shooting splits of .421/.384/.914.</p>
<p>Helping lead the Golden State Warriors into the consistently flipping race for the top seed in the league with the Phoenix Suns, Curry was off to arguably the best start of his career before the slight slump that started around the time he passed Ray Allen for most three-point makes of all time. This slump has opened the door for the reigning MVP to enter the conversation in earnest.</p>
<p>Picking between Joel Embiid, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, Giannis Antetokounmpo and DeMar DeRozan changes by the day. It truly is that close.</p>
<p>For the halfway point, the selection here is LeBron James. It is not too harsh to say that the Los Angeles Lakers roster has completely disappointed, but James has been exceptional.</p>
<p>He is averaging 28.9 points per game, his highest since his final season in Cleveland (the first time around). He is averaging a career-high 1.2 blocks per game, too.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="1 trade target for every Southeast Division team" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/16/nba-trades-southeast-division/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#222423" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/17/2022-nba-awards-halfway-point/"https://hoopshabit.com/2022/01/16/nba-trades-southeast-division/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> 1 trade target for every Southeast Division team </a> </div>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—>">