The league officially decided several crucial tiebreakers between teams on Monday, April 20 before the NBA draft lottery is held on May 10 in Chicago.
While the process is often referred to as a coin flip between teams that finished with the exact same record to determine the draft order, it is actually random number drawings conducted by the league. The tiebreakers between picks 15 through 60 are the official draft order. There were six total tiebreakers in the 2026 NBA Draft.
However, tiebreakers between teams picking in the lottery will not become set in stone until the draft lottery is concluded next month. Here were the most interesting results.
Biggest winner from the draft order tiebreakers
The Utah Jazz walked away as the team that benefited the most from this process.
They won the tiebreaker over the Sacramento Kings and will now have the fourth-best odds at the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
With the fourth-best odds, the lowest the Jazz can pick in this class is now No. 8 overall. However, if they lost the tiebreaker and had the fifth-best odds, they would have had a 0.6 percent chance of falling to No. 9 overall.
That is significant because they traded a top-8 protected pick to the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a Derrick Favors salary dump.
Now, it went from unlikely to impossible that Oklahoma City can get this pick from Utah. The Jazz now owe the Thunder a second-round pick in the 2027 NBA Draft.
What other lottery teams benefited from the tiebreaking process?
While the Jazz were the most impactful winners, others benefited from the tiebreakers as well.
The New Orleans Pelicans (who owe the better pick between their own and the Milwaukee Bucks pick to the Atlanta Hawks due to the Derik Queen trade) won the tiebreaker for the seventh-best odds over the Dallas Mavericks.
This means the Hawks improved their chances at a top-four pick via the Pelicans from 28.9 percent to 29.3 percent.
Which non-lottery teams benefited from the tiebreaking process?
The following picks were also determined via the NBA's tiebreakers:
The 16th pick goes to the Memphis Grizzlies, via Phoenix Suns
The 17th pick goes to the Oklahoma City Thunder, via Philadelphia 76ers
The 18th pick goes to the Charlotte Hornets, via Orlando Magic
The 19th pick goes to the Toronto Raptors
The 20th pick goes to the San Antonio Spurs, via Atlanta Hawks
The 22nd pick goes to the Philadelphia 76ers, via Houston Rockets
The 23rd pick goes to the Atlanta Hawks, via Cleveland Cavaliers
The 24th pick goes to the New York Knicks
The 25th pick goes to the Los Angeles Lakers
The 2026 NBA Draft is held in Brooklyn, New York on June 23 and June 24 at the Barclays Center.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are catching strays from the Toronto Raptors' media.
On Monday night, in Game 2 of the Raptors' first-round series against the Cleveland Cavaliers, Scottie Barnes was taken down by Jaylon Tyson. Toronto's RJ Barrett stepped in and gave Tyson a shove, which then created a commotion on the court.
Several players from both teams stepped in to help diffuse the situation.
While that was happening, TSN's NBA colour analyst, Jack Armstrong, said, "Auston Matthews wishes he had (Barrett) as a teammate. That's how you stand up for your guys."
They followed it up in the third period with physical play and several goals, defeating the Ducks 6-4. But it wasn't a good look for a hockey club whose core has been together for quite some time.
The collision ended Matthews' season. He had surgery to repair a grade 3 MCL tear in his left leg seven days after the incident, but he will be ready for training camp next fall.
"Yeah, (rehab is) going good. Really good," Matthews added. "I'll be ready by next season and have a pretty normal summer, for the most part. I'm about a month down now, so a couple more months before I can kind of start to turn it up a little bit."
Matthews finished the season with 27 goals and 53 points in 60 games. Despite missing 22 games, Toronto's captain still finished fourth in team scoring, only behind Matthew Knies, John Tavares, and William Nylander.
The Raptors are two games into their series against the Cavs and have lost both games. They return to Toronto to play Game 3 of the series on Thursday night inside Scotiabank Arena.
Draymond Green has never had a filter, and he said in his exit interview what many people around the Warriors seemed to think about the future of coach Steve Kerr in the wake of the Warriors' elimination by the Suns in the play-in.
"I hope he's our coach next year. You want my opinion? I think not," Green said. "Just because it just feels like that. It felt like that was it. I also hope I'm on this team next year, we also don't know that. And man, if it was, what a run it's been. So lucky to have had for 12 years Steve as my coach."
Kerr is not going to be back as coach next year, barring a significant change of heart and a renewed faith in the direction things are heading, reports Monte Poole at NBC Sports Bay Area.
The general belief among the Warriors – openly expressed by Draymond Green – and around the league since the weekend is that Kerr will be comfortably jobless after meeting with [co-owner Joe] Lacob and [GM Mike] Dunleavy. Most expect a decision in a matter of days, not weeks...
Two sources insist that any change of heart would require, among other factors, Kerr having renewed faith in his role as the franchise shifts toward the future.
The Warriors' front office does want to see a shift in how the team plays — the freewheeling days when the Warriors did not concern themselves as much with turnovers or offensive rebounds, because they could just overwhelm teams, are gone. Here is how ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne and Anthony Slater put it.
If Kerr returns, they will discuss staffing and what management believes is a need for philosophy tweaks, team sources said, focusing on diversifying the offensive attack and winning the analytically friendly possession battle more often. There has been a feeling internally that they were too reliant this season on 3-point variance.
"For one night, we're us. We're champions again," Kerr said after the emotional win.
However, Golden State could never sustain those runs, as evidenced by their loss to the Suns in the next play-in contest. A lot of that had to do with an older team facing injuries. Jimmy Butler was out for the season, starting in mid-January, with a torn ACL. Curry missed 27 straight games, from January through nearly the end of the season, due to a runner's knee injury. Al Horford, brought in on a one-year deal to add depth, missed 37 games. And the list goes on and on.
The Warriors under Kerr were at their peak a decade ago with a "death star" small-ball lineup that worked because Green could defend centers. Then Golden State added peak Kevin Durant to that mix and was one of the best teams the league had ever seen for a couple of years.
Those days are gone — teams have gotten bigger but maintained their athleticism and shooting (as epitomized by Victor Wembanyama and Chet Holmgren). The league has gotten younger and more athletic, while the Warriors' core is closer to 40 than 30.
Kerr may see all that and decide now is the time to step away, to let the franchise choose its next path. It sounds like that's where things are heading.
What choices do the Philadelphia 76ers have? If Joel Embiid were available, perhaps this series would be interesting.
But with "The Process" sidelined by an appendectomy, Philadelphia is simply out-gunned against the Boston Celtics. It needs to lean fully on its dynamic backcourt and wings, led by Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe.
The rookie has held off any proverbial wall, though his 0-for-5 showing from beyond the arc in Game 1 was a bit worrying. Yet, Edgecombe still scored 13 points in just 34 minutes.
Expect both increased minutes and at least one 3-pointer — Edgecombe shot 35.4% from deep on 5.6 attempts per game in the regular season. Either ingredient should be enough to push him past this points prop.
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock/NBC
Prop #2: Victor Wembanyama 30+ points
+115 at bet365
Logic says the San Antonio Spurs superstar will not go 5-for-6 from beyond the arc in Game 2 after doing so on Sunday.
But if Victor Wembanyama misses a few more 3-pointers, then this game is likely to be closer than Game 1, and suddenly the towering Frenchman may need to play more than 33 minutes.
In other words, either game state should set up Wembanyama to reach 30+ points for the sixth time in his last seven games, including the 35 he hung in his playoff debut.
The Portland Trail Blazers have no way to guard Wembanyama, and Donovan Clingan cannot keep up with him — the one clear weakness in the second-year center’s defense.
It is, unfortunately for Portland, a weakness Wembanyama gladly exploits.
Time: 8:00 p.m. ET
Where to watch: Peacock/NBC
Prop #3: Luke Kennard 5+ assists
+150 at bet365
Point guard Luke Kennard remains a comical concept. Playoff point guard Luke Kennard is almost mind-boggling.
To quote a so-so commercial we have all already seen too many times this week, “Anything really is possible in the playoffs.”
Kennard has handed out at least five assists in three of his six games as the Lakers’ starting point guard since both Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves were sidelined. Those were the first three games he started, falling to just 2.3 per game in the three games since.
Then why bet on him now? Because Kennard’s 27 points in Game 1 should demand more defensive attention from Houston in Game 2, creating more assist opportunities.
The climb from three to five assists is also not a steep one, particularly when the ball is going to be regularly in your hands.
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76ers Game 2 computer picks
Andre Drummond Over 6.5 points (+100)
Projection: 7.2 points
Joel Embiid is set to miss another game in this series, which will open up more minutes for Andre Drummond. The Boston Celtics will have their hands full with Philly's perimeter scorers, and they'll gladly let Drummond try to beat them.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Drummond Now at bet365!/span
Tyrese Maxey Over 3.5 rebounds (+105)
Projection: 3.99 rebounds
Tyrese Maxey puts his 6-foot-2 frame to use, averaging 4.1 rebounds per game. When Drummond is off the floor, that'll open up more board opportunities for Philly's starting PG.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet maxey Now at bet365!/span
VJ Edgecombe Over 14.5 points (-115)
Projection: 15.79 points
VJ Edgecombe can do some damage from beyond the arc tonight, with the C's allowing the fourth-most 3-point attempts to SGs at home this season. In four games against Boston, VJ shot 41.2% from three. Those long balls will help the rookie eclipse his points total.
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Celtics Game 2 computer picks
Jaylen Brown Over 6.5 rebounds (+110)
Projection: 7.8 rebounds
At +110, this prop has the highest +EV for this game according to our prop projections. Jaylen Brown has eclipsed this line in four of his last 10 outings, and with Philly shallow down low, Brown can gobble up the boards.
span style="font-size: 14px;"🔥/span spanBet Brown Now at bet365!/span
Payton Pritchard Over 13.5 points (-112)
Projection: 16.0 points
Payton Pritchard is playing like a man possessed, eclipsing this total in eight of his last 10 outings. Pritchard has full control over Boston's bench unit, which should see plenty of time in what's expected to be another blowout.
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Derrick White Over 4.5 assists (-105)
Projection: 5.38 assists
Playing as the starting point guard of the C's has its perks, especially when you're passing to the likes of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Derrick White can focus more on playmaking with Boston at full strength, just like he did in Game 1 where he racked up six dimes.
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How to watch 76ers vs Celtics Game 2
Location
TD Garden, Boston, MA
Date
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Tip-off
7:00 p.m. ET
TV
ESPN
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DETROIT, MICHIGAN - APRIL 19: Jalen Duren #0 of the Detroit Pistons plays against the Orlando Magic during game one of the first round of the eastern conference playoffs at Little Caesars Arena on April 19, 2026 in Detroit, Michigan. 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 Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic are getting set to face-off in Game 2 of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs. Given Orlando’s status as an eighth seed, their inconsistent regular season, and Detroit’s dominant campaign, most people (myself included) thought this would be a cakewalk for the Pistons.
However, the Magic shocked us all in a Game 1 victory that proved that they are finally clicking and that they can exploit the Pistons’ lack of true two-way players. Oddsmakers still believe that the Pistons are in the driver’s seat to win this series, as they are a nine-point favorite in Game 2 (right around the spread from Game 1), and have -220 odds (an implied probability of -68.8%) to win the series.
To make this come to fruition, the Pistons either need Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland to find ways to exist on offense, Daniss Jenkins and Duncan Robinson to stop getting hunted on defense, or Kevin Huerter and Caris LeVert to step into larger roles. But more than anything, they need their All-Star big man to live up to his reputation.
Jalen Duren Needs A Big Game 2
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last few days, you are likely aware of Jalen Duren’s unspectacular Game 1 performance.
The Pistons can’t win this series without Duren. This season, they led the entire NBA in points in the paint per game (per NBA.com). A big reason why is Duren’s merciless pursuit of shots at the basket. Outside of Giannis Antetokounmpo, no one attempted rim field goal attempts at a higher clip than Duren (he and Zion Williamson were tied for second-place in this category, per Dunks & Threes).
In Game 1, Duren only attempted four field goals. A big reason for this was Detroit’s lack of spacing making it easy for Orlando to pack the paint on him. But the thing is, the Pistons’ spacing concerns are nothing new (29th in 3-point rate during the regular season). I hate to sound like a fake tough guy here, but Duren needs to be the human adonis that he is and fight through the extra physicality and be the biggest man in the room.
On defense, Duren has always struggled with defending in space (particularly in the pick-and-roll) and lapses in threat detection around the rim. Those weaknesses were magnified in the first match (see the tweet above). Some of this is on head coach J.B. Bickerstaff to put him in better spots, but again, Duren needs to make the classic “play better” adjustment in Game 2 if the Pistons are going to avoid the dreaded 0-2 hole.
How to watch Pistons vs. Magic Game 2 of the 2026 NBA Playoffs
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You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for Rockets vs. Lakers at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Rockets -4.5 spread means the Rockets will cover, while "No" means the Lakers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter).
Rockets vs Lakers spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Rockets -4.5
52¢ (-108)
49¢ (+104)
Over 208.5 points
50¢ (+100)
51¢ (-104)
Our predictions:Rockets -4.5 — Yes
Los Angeles won’t connect at the same clip tonight, and Houston will tighten the bolts on offense, with or without Kevin Durant.
Head coach Ime Udoka is emphasizing spacing and more screen action — both on- and off-ball — after iso-heavy sets stagnated the Rockets in Game 1.
I’m holding out hope Durant returns for the sake of this bet, but I’m confident Houston will still perform better than Game 1 if he doesn’t.
Other Rockets vs Lakers prediction markets available
LeBron James 25+ points (Yes: 49¢)
Alperen Sengun 6+ rebounds (Yes: 54¢)
Reed Sheppard 3+ threes (Yes: 56¢)
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts," which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Lakers win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
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In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
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The Boston Celtics handled the Joel Embiid-less Philadelphia 76ers with ease in Game 1, and they should have no problem doing so again tonight in Game 2.
After Boston checked the 76ers' asses directly into the Smackdown hotel in Game 1, the Celtics are 88¢ favorites to take a commanding 2-0 series lead.
Our prediction:Celtics to win
Joel Embiid is officially ruled out for Game 2, and Adem Bona and Andre Drummond ain't gonna cut it.
With a bounty of respect for the veteran center, Philadelphia is relying too much on Drummond to be taken seriously in the playoffs in 2026.
The 76ers have little choice but to play Drummond, but that reality dooms them to waiting for a blowout in which their offense eventually becomes a liability.
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More 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets
You're certainly not limited to the main game outcome for 76ers vs. Celtics at Kalshi; you also have options to trade on the spread, total, and more, among other NBA odds markets.
You can buy either side of a market — for example, "Yes" on the Celtics -15.5 spread means the Celtics will cover, while "No" means the 76ers will cover — with each side priced based on the implied probability (which can be converted to American, Decimal, or Fraction odds using theCovers odds converter).
76ers vs Celtics spread and total at prediction markets
Outcome
Yes
No
Celtics -15.5
46¢ (+117)
55¢ (-122)
Over 216.5 points
51¢ (-104)
50¢ (+100)
Our predictions:Celtics -15.5 — Yes and Over 216.5 points — No
Without Embiid, the 76ers' offense lacks any real depth to help the Celtics push this Over the total.
Other 76ers vs Celtics prediction markets available
VJ Edgecombe 15+ points (Yes: 51¢)
Tyrese Maxey 30+ points (Yes: 60¢)
Payton Pritchard 3+ threes (Yes: 41¢)
What is Kalshi and how does it work?
Kalshi is a federally regulated U.S. exchange where you trade directly on the outcome of real-world future events. Instead of traditional bets, you trade "Event Contracts" which are simple Yes/No questions like "Will the Celtics win tonight?" These events are priced between $0.01 and $0.99, and the prices reflect the market’s estimated probability of that event occurring. For instance, $0.55 equals a 55% chance. If your prediction is correct, the contract pays out exactly $1.00; if not, it settles at $0. Kalshi is essentially a stock market for reality.
How does Kalshi differ from sportsbooks?
In a sportsbook, you bet against the bookmaker, who sets fixed odds and takes a "vig," which is a kind of commission. On Kalshi, you trade against other users. This peer-to-peer model means prices are driven by supply and demand, often resulting in fairer odds. Additionally, because these are financial derivatives, you can exit your position early. If your team takes a 14-point lead, the contract price will rise, allowing you to sell your "Yes" shares for a profit before the final whistle even blows.
Why should I wager on 76ers vs Celtics at Kalshi?
Kalshi offers four unique advantages over traditional sportsbooks:
Flexibility: Unlike a "locked-in" bet, you can sell your contract at any time.
Transparency: You trade against other users, which can allow you to find better value.
Federal regulation: As a CFTC-regulated exchange, your funds are held in a secure, transparent environment.
Availability: Kalshi is available in 49 states (excluding Nevada) and D.C., including many regions where traditional sportsbooks aren't yet legal.
Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs will look to grab a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven series against Deni Avdija and the Portland Trail Blazers tonight at Frost Bank Center.
After trailing early in the first quarter in Game 1, the Spurs ended the opening twelve minutes on a 21-9 run, that was capped off by a Keldon Johnson 3-pointer at the buzzer. San Antonio would lead by as many as 21 points and go on to win the opening game of the series at home, 111-98. The Spurs were led by a game-high 35 points from Victor Wembanyama who made an immediate impact in his first career playoff game. Portland All-Star Deni Avdija led the way for the Trail Blazers with 30 points and 10 rebounds.
In what was their first career NBA playoff games, both Wembanyama and Avdija made history for their respective franchises. Wembanyama’s 35 points were the most points by a Spurs’ player in their playoff debut. He also knocked down a team record five, three-pointers (also a record for a Spurs player in his playoff debut). Avdija, the 25-year-old from Israel, scored 30 points to go along with 10 rebounds and 5 assists. He became the first Portland player ever to post a 30/10/5 stat line in a playoff game and also became the third player in NBA history to post a 30/10/5 stat line in their playoff debut (Julius Erving – 1977, LeBron James – 2006).
The ultimate differences in Game 1 came down to the contributions or lack thereof from the supporting cast of each team and the Spurs’ surprising control of the glass. Four of the Spurs’ role players scored in double figures (Stephon Castle, De’Aaron Fox, Devin Vassell, and Luke Kornet) while only Scoot Henderson hit double digits in the scoring column for Portland. San Antonio beat Portland at their own game on the glass in Game 1. The Trail Blazers were second in the NBA in offensive rebounding (14.1 OREB/gm) and led the NBA in second chance points (18.5 per gm) in the regular season, but the Spurs held a +7 advantage on the boards (45-38) and totaled 11 OREBs compared to Portland’s 8 offensive boards in the series opener.
Lets take a closer look at tonight’s matchup and take into consideration lineups, injuries, and other factors affecting the line and total.
We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on how to catch tipoff, odds courtesy of DraftKings recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts.
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Game Details and How to Watch Live: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
Date: Tuesday, April 21, 2026
Time: 8PM EST
Site: Frost Bank Center
City: San Antonio, TX
Network/Streaming: NBC/Peacock
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Game Odds: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs
The latest odds as of Tuesday courtesy of DraftKings:
Moneyline: Portland Trail Blazers (+470), San Antonio Spurs (-650)
Spread: Spurs -11.5
Total: 219.5 points
This game opened Spurs -12.5 with the Game Total set at 218.5.
Be sure to check out DraftKings for all the latest game odds & player props for every matchup this week on the NBA schedule!Â
Expected Starting Lineups: Trail Blazers vs. Spurs
Portland Trail Blazers
PG Jrue Holiday
SG Scoot Henderson
C Donovan Clingan
SF Deni Avdija
PF Toumani Camara
San Antonio Spurs
PG De’Aaron Fox
SG Devin Vassell
SG Stephon Castle
C Victor Wembanyama
PF Julian Champagnie
Injury Report: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
San Antonio Spurs
Jordan McLaughlin (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
David Jones Garcia (ankle) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Portland Trail Blazers
Damian Lillard (Achilles) has been declared OUT for tonight’s game
Important stats, trends and insights: Spurs vs. Trail Blazers
The Spurs are 33-8 at home this season
The Blazers are 19-24 on the road this season
The Spurs are 46-36-2 ATS this season
Portland is 45-39 ATS this season
The OVER has cashed in 43 of the Blazers’ 84 games this season (43-41)
The OVER has cashed in 36 of the Spurs’ 84 games this season (36-48)
Victor Wembanyama was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year on Monday
Wembanyamais the first unanimous winner of the award
Deni Avdija was named a finalist for the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award
Rotoworld Best Bet
Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals. Â Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager.
Here are the best bets our model is projecting for Tuesday’s Spurs and Trail Blazers game:
Moneyline: Rotoworld Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline
Spread: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Spurs -11.5 ATS
Total: Rotoworld Bet is leaning towards a play on the Game Total UNDER 219.5
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When the Chicago Bulls fired their top front office executives Arturas Karnisova and Marc Eversley recently, ownership said whoever was going to be hired had to fit and work with coach Billy Donovan, who wasn't going anywhere.
"After a series of thoughtful and extensive discussions with ownership regarding the future of the organization, I have decided to step away as the head coach of the Chicago Bulls, to allow the search process to unfold," Donovan said in a statement. "I believe it is in the best interest of the Bulls to allow the new leader to build out the staff as they see fit. My gratitude for this community and this organization is permanent."
"We wanted Billy to continue as our head coach - that was never in question," team owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement announcing the change. "But through honest conversations, we all agreed that giving our new Head of Basketball Operations the right to build out his staff was the most important thing for the future of this franchise. That is the kind of person Billy is — he put the Bulls first. We are deeply grateful for everything he has given to this organization."
Donovan had left a trail of breadcrumbs that his exit might be coming, considering some of his public comments. The fact that no matter who came in as the Bulls' next GM, this was going to be a multi-year retooling project — something he felt he had been in since he came to Chicago — weighed on him.
"Selfishly, competitively, I want us to be in that situation where we're playing in real legitimate (games)," Donovan said, via Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times. "You're in the playoffs, you're going through a seven-game series and you're trying to advance and move on."
Donovan was the third-longest-tenured coach in Bulls history at six years (training only Phil Jackson and Dick Motta). Donovan leaves with a 226-256 career record with the Bulls and one playoff appearance in six years (the team felt like a play-in regular until this season).
Donovan's name will now come up in nearly every NBA job search, as well as for any major colleges. Donovan had been in the mix for the University of North Carolina job, to jump back to college (he won two NCAA titles at Florida), but the Tar Heels went with another former NBA coach in Michael Malone.
Boston, MA - April 19: Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey drives to the basket in between Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum and center Nikola Vucevic in the first quarter. The Celtics played the 76ers in Game 1 of the first round of the NBA Playoffs on April 19, 2026. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) | Boston Globe via Getty Images
The Philadelphia 76ers targeted Jayson Tatum early and often in Game 1 — and may have revealed that one of Boston’s old strengths is still available for another title run.
Now, it’s no secret that Tatum is back and looking good. He made headlines with a dominant showing in his return to playoff basketball on Sunday, finishing with 25 points on 52.9% shooting from the field, 11 rebounds, 7 assists and 2 steals, as he and Jaylen Brown led the Celtics to a 32-point blowout.
While his offensive output was impressive, his defensive performance may be just as important for Boston’s title chances.
Tatum has always been a strong defender. He’s got the length and lateral agility to stick with guards on the perimeter, and the size and strength to battle with some big men in the post. That versatility enables the Celtics to deploy a highly switchable defense, especially when the team runs Tatum as a small-ball 5.
The Celtics utilized Tatum defensively against opposing 5s to great effect during the team’s 2024 championship run, when it used the strategy to defang the lob-happy Mavericks in the Finals. By having Tatum guard Dereck Lively II or Daniel Gafford and switch on screens, Boston neutralized the benefits of Dallas’ 1-5 pick and rolls, as Luka Dončić was unable to use the action to hunt the Celtics’ slower big men. Limiting that action also pulled Dallas’ bigs out of their comfort zone, since they were unable to fulfill their most dangerous roles as PnR lob threats.
Nevertheless, last year’s Achilles tear threw all of that into question. The Achilles tendon is like a spring that enables people to push their feet off the ground, so many who rupture it lose lateral agility and explosive burst — two crucial factors for a defender in the NBA.
Yet in the small sample since his March return, Tatum’s defense has shown little evidence of a drop-off.
In the 16 games he played before the end of the regular season, Tatum posted a career-low in block percentage (0.6%), but also career-highs in defensive rebound percentage (31.3%) and steal percentage (2.1%). While advanced defensive metrics can be unreliable, Tatum set another career-high with a +1.8 in defensive box plus/minus, according to Basketball Reference.
However, the Sixers did not appear to be convinced heading into Game 1.
The NBA Playoffs are all about poking and prodding for weaknesses, then game planning to exploit those weaknesses. Philadelphia Head Coach Nick Nurse clearly believed Tatum’s defense could be a potential weakness, as the Sixers deliberately targeted him from the jump.
In Philly’s second offensive possession of the game, Sixers star Tyrese Maxey isolated Tatum on the wing, pulled back to wind up for a blowby, then drove to Tatum’s left. But, instead of a blowby, Tatum stuck hip-to-hip with Maxey, steered him to the baseline and forced a pass into a missed corner three-pointer.
If that was an isolated incident it wouldn’t mean much, but it wasn’t. Maxey — whose blazing speed makes him a tricky cover on the perimeter — targeted Tatum in isolation three more times in the first quarter alone. Of those four isolation possessions, Maxey only scored on one, where he drove into the paint, improvised a couple moves and slipped a circus shot past the outstretched arms of Tatum and Nikola Vučević.
Four possessions is very little to work with, but the results did not appear to be a fluke. Tatum was able to keep up with Maxey’s drives, dance with him on the perimeter and get a good contest on each shot.
Nurse and the rest of the Sixers must have noticed, too, since they tested Tatum in isolation less and less as the game went on. In the second quarter, Maxey and Kelly Oubre Jr. both got an isolation possession against Tatum, but neither resulted in a bucket. By the time the third quarter rolled around, the Sixers had multiple chances to isolate Tatum, but started passing out to explore other action. Philly only tried to isolate him twice over the second half of the game, with neither attempt proving successful.
In addition to his impressive work in isolation, Tatum played solid help defense and displayed his elite versatility by switching onto multiple Sixers, including Philly’s 6’10” starting center, Adem Bona.
Overall, the Sixers only shot 6-19 from the field (31.6%) in Game 1 with Tatum as the primary defender, according to NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg.
That number will change as the series progresses — Philly struggled to hit shots all night and likely won’t continue to shoot so poorly — but Tatum has so far passed the test with flying colors.
While Tatum has yet to be tasked with regularly guarding opposing 5s as he was in the 2025 NBA Finals, if he can keep up this level of defensive play, there’s little reason to think he can’t handle that role again. And, at this point in Tatum’s return, how could anyone who has been paying any attention doubt him?
Formula 1 doesn’t have direct equivalents to other sports, but the personalities, pressure and pecking order of the pinnacle of auto racing translates surprisingly well to elite basketball players and teams.
Stack today’s grid against the NBA, and the parallels start to line up: dominant champions, rising stars, quiet operators and young prospects already carrying the expectations of millions.
If you're a fan of both sports, you're aware no comparison is perfect, but these match-ups really do frame where each of Formula 1’s biggest names sit alongside their possible NBA counterparts.
Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes — Cooper Flagg, Dallas Mavericks
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Kimi Antonelli arrived in F1 in 2025 with expectations far beyond his experience level, and already started signing his name in the record books.
Likewise, the Dallas Mavericks' Cooper Flagg, a 19-year-old sensation, is already in the running for NBA's Rookie of the Year. As with Antonelli, his stats are outstanding, as the youngest player to score 50 points, and the only teenager to ever score more than 50 points in a single game.
Much of the outside focus on both Antonelli and Flagg are on the next records they'll break. Their talent is obvious, and the timeline toward championship success is moving quickly.
George Russell, Mercedes — Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell, Mercedes
George Russell delivers strong results but, despite starting many conversations, rarely sits at the centre of them. Like Jaylen Brown (Boston), Russell is core to a championship-winning operation (Mercedes), yet he has operated as a second option for much of his career and has proved he can lead when needed. The talent and consistency are there, even if the spotlight is taking its time in noticing.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull — Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing
Max Verstappen sets the standard every weekend and rarely gives races away when given the car to win. Like multiple-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, he controls everything without needing to look spectacular doing it. Results pile up because he makes the right decisions, lap after lap, season after season.
When performing at their very best, both superstars humble rivals with a seemingly ruthless ease.
Lando Norris has reached the level where wins and titles are now expected, not merely hoped for. Like NBA champion Jayson Tatum with the Boston Celtics, he can dominate a weekend but still has moments that leave the door open for heartbreak. Over a full season, though, both are firmly in the fight for championships.
Oscar Piastri, McLaren — Kawhi Leonard, Los Angeles Clippers
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri, McLaren
Oscar Piastri keeps everything controlled, on track, and under the radar. Like multiple-time NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard, Piastri doesn’t need attention to be effective. The pace is there, the execution is clean, and wins follow. For these two athletes, you could almost argue that quietly delivering results is their loudest personality trait.
GOAT, meet GOAT. Lewis Hamilton remains one of the defining names of his era, even late in his career. Like LeBron James, he’s no longer at his absolute peak but remains capable of delivering at the highest level. The move to Ferrari carries the same weight as a late-career legacy chapter, similar to James' earned position on the Los Angeles Lakers' roster.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari — Luka Doncic, Los Angeles Lakers
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Charles Leclerc has the speed to win consistently, but hasn’t always had the platform to match it. Like Luka Doncic, Leclerc produces elite performances even when the wider team structure doesn’t fully support him, or the machinery lets him down.
When everything aligns, both of these stars can look like the best on the grid or court, and appear simply untouchable.
Ultimately, this comparison isn’t about forcing two sports together, it’s about perspective.
Formula 1 drivers operate in a different environment, but the same patterns show up in world-class athletes, NBA stars included: dominance, timing, opportunity and pressure.
Whether it’s a champion at their peak or a young driver just getting started, the roles are familiar — even if 'driving the lane' means something very different in the NBA than it does in F1.
For just the third year in NBA history, three teams failed to make the playoffs despite finishing the regular season with a winning record.
The previous two seasons with three teams missing the playoffs were 1970-71 and 2021-22. In all seasons prior to 1970, every winning team qualified for the playoffs.
In total, 43 teams in NBA history have finished the regular season with a record above .500 but didn’t make the playoffs. That means teams with winning records make the playoffs 95.1% of the time.
In 2025-26, Charlotte finished 44-38, Miami 43-39, and the Los Angeles Clippers 42-40 — but all three missed out on the playoffs after losing in the play-in tournament.
Despite all three teams this year posting winning records, none are close to the all-time highest winning percentage for a non-playoff team.
That honor goes to the 1971-72 Phoenix Suns, who finished 49-33 — a .598 clip — but missed out on the playoffs in a Western Conference led by the 69-win Los Angeles Lakers. The Suns have three of the best non-playoff records — in 1970-71 and 2013-14 the franchise posted identical 48-34 marks (Golden State also equaled that record in 2007-08).
Golden State and Houston are the franchises that have finished above .500 but missed out on the playoffs the most. Each team has done so six times.
Notably, out of the 43 times this feat has occurred, 31 happened to teams currently in the Western Conference, while just 12 are in the Eastern Conference.
Tennessee forward Nate Ament (10) attempts to score while guarded by Michigan guard Roddy Gayle Jr. (11) during an NCAA Tournament Elite 8 game at the United Center in Chicago on March 29, 2026. | Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Nate Ament has gone from a sure-fire NBA Draft declaration to a — well — we’ll see. The former 5-star prospect had a rocky start to his time with Tennessee, but turned it on in SEC play to show everyone why he was among the top five prospects in last year’s class.
The 6-10 freshman isn’t a lock to go inside of the top ten though, currently sitting in the middle of an absolutely loaded lottery draft class. In some of the previous year’s classes, Ament would be a no-brainer top five selection. However, this year’s group is one of the best we’ve seen in several years, which has clouded Ament’s projection.
Ament’s range currently seems slotted into the 8-16 range, which begs the question — would he simply be better off by punting a year and returning to Knoxville for his sophomore season? It’s certainly on the table, and based on the growth we saw from Ament throughout the season, it’s an exciting thought. Ament could benefit from another season in Tennessee’s strength program, which has a track record of transforming guys like Grant Williams, Admiral Schofield, Yves Pons and plenty of others into totally different players.
The question, of course, comes down to money. Based on the NBA rookie contract scale from this past season, Ament could earn $5.7 million as the No. 8 pick as a rookie. That number moves all the way down to $3.6 million as the 16th overall pick. Tennessee reportedly paid Ament over $4 million this past season. That number would obviously move up substantially if Ament were to return.
Ament has until Friday to make his initial NBA Draft decision.
He can declare, but still keep the door open for a return. Ament would then go through the NBA Draft process, gather information from teams, then make a final decision by May 27th.
Tennessee has already added VCU guard Terrence Hill Jr., Notre Dame forward Jalen Haralson, Belmont guard Tyler Lundblade, Cal guard Dai Dai Ames and Loyola-Chicago rim-protecting center Miles Rubin. The Volunteers are in hot pursuit of Wake Forest guard Juke Harris, who will take a similar feel-it-out process with the NBA Draft as Ament will.
Rick Barnes has depth needs left in the front court regardless of Ament or Harris’ decision. Expect that to be addressed in the coming week as Tennessee gets a feel for what comes next.
Mar 28, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) defends during the first quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images | Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images
Last week, NBA media submitted their ballots for regular-season awards, with the late-breaking stipulation that Cade Cunningham and Luka Doncic were indeed eligible despite playing fewer than 65 games. What a stupid rule. As we hope that one goes the way of the dodo bird in short order, and as hardware starts to come out with Victor Wembanyama winning Defensive Player of the Year last night, here are our picks. Not that we have ballots!
Most Valuable Player
Van: Looks like I’m going against the grain here! Truthfully, Gilgeous-Alexander is the league’s best player right now, and all arguments for him are worthy. And the Thunder are world-beaters with him on the floor. But here’s the thing—they’re still damn good when he rests, which is not his fault; they’re an amazing team! But the Spurs were quite meh in the 2,081 minutes that Wemby sat, and when he played, they were just as good as the Thunder. That, plus the larger defensive impact (see next section), gives the big Frenchman my vote over the Canadian. I’ll explain Brown once we get to All-NBA.
Zac: An otherworldly offensive player who also contributes to one of the best defences of all time and led his team to the best record in the league (again)? Yeah, this one was pretty easy. SGA is just on another plane right now. You know what he’s going to do, but he does it anyway. Oh, and when the game is on the line, he’s the one you want, averaging the most points per game in clutch time (6.5)—nearly a full point per game more than second-place Anthony Edwards (5.6)—to go along with the best plus/minus (+3.4). How could it be anyone else?
Jack: SGA is an excellent two-way player who was, quite clearly, the deserving MVP when you account for individual and team success. Wemby will get his soon enough, but it wasn’t his time just yet.
Finn: SGA was the best player in the world during the 2025-26 season. His consistency was unmatched, and his floor impact was as high as anybody’s. He shot 55.3% from the field as a guard while averaging 30+ points for the fourth straight year. Wemby is gonna win at least three MVPs in the next five years (assuming health), but we’re still in the Shai “era” for now.
Deolu: The evidence is pretty overwhelming for Shai over Wembanyama. Not only is he the main offensive factor, a notable defensive presence, and all-around the best player on the best team, but he’s also been scoring at historic rates. Not only is he totaling around 127 games straight with 20 points scored as a slender guard, but he leads the league in win shares and VORP (value over replacement player). His efficiency and pure scoring prowess make his season definitively MVP-caliber.
Defensive Player of the Year
Van: Is there any doubt who this should be? Voters agreed, as he was the unanimous selection last night. San Antonio was equivalent to the league’s best statistical defense when he played, and equivalent to the Dallas Mavericks when he didn’t. That’s an impact he didn’t have as a rookie, or even last year, when he was ineligible for this award. Second and third were more interesting selections that I’ll go into when we hit the All-Defensive teams.
Zac: If MVP was easy, then DPOY was a no-brainer. The only thing that could have stopped Wembanyama from winning this award was the right-intentions-wrong-result 65-game rule. Of course, he checked that box, dropping a casual 40, 13, five, one, and two in a blowout win against the Dallas Mavericks. You can pencil Wemby in for the foreseeable future—he’s that good of a defender.
Jack: Agree with everything Zac said. It truly feels like Wemby could dominate this award going forward, and the only factors that might stop him from winning it every season would be health and voter fatigue. Ridiculous defensive player whose bona fides are backed up by the eye test even more than the box score.
Finn: One stat sums this up: every single team in the NBA this year had an effective field goal percentage of at least 52%. When Victor Wembanyama was on the floor, though, Spurs opponents posted a sub-50% eFG%.
Deolu: You-know-who led the league in blocks for the third straight year and posted a steal per game. Interestingly enough, here is Ausar Thompson’s widespread inclusion on four of five ballots as the only guard; he has almost single-handedly made Detroit’s defense elite and has helped define their Bad Boys 2.0 playstyle.
Most Improved Player
Van: Every year, my choice comes down to who had the most consequential—and therefore biggest—leap. For that reason, I’m deviating from Bucks partisanship by leaving Rollins out, and I think the real voters made the correct call doing so too. To be clear, he made a giant leap this season, from fringe rotation player (on a two-way deal for most of last year, even) to quality starter, if on a bad team. To me, that’s not anywhere near the leap the other guys made. Duren was a quality starter on a playoff team and had some big-time statistical gains when you average them out per-36. NAW equaled Rollins’ scoring jump and surpassed it on that same per-36 basis, so I thought real hard about giving this to him. But ultimately, Avdija went from—once again—quality starter (on a non-playoff team) to All-NBA candidate and leading scorer on a playoff team, maintaining his efficiency in a bigger role. His statistical gains this year compared to last year surpassed those of last year to two years ago, so 2025–26 was more of an Avdija breakout. His is the biggest and most consequential leap any NBA player made this season. Rollins could follow this arc and go from quality starter to All-Star next year, and if he does, he’ll have my MIP vote.
Zac: Call me a homer, but I can’t go past our very own Ryan Rollins. He went from being a “can he play some meaningful minutes?” guy to “this dude might make an All-Star team!” in half a season. He played 47% of his career games this season; 71% of his career minutes. That leap is just absurd. Now he’s just as likely to get 30+ (three times) as he is to have nine or fewer points (four times). And he plays both ends. And he shoots 41% from three. Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Deni Avdija are worthy recipients too, but for Rollins to not even be a finalist is criminal (sorry, Jalen).
Jack: The MIP award is always somewhat tough to predict because of the different interpretations people can have. For me, Ryan Rollins embodies everything this award should be about, going from a two-way contract to potentially a long-time starter in this league (and possibly an All-Star too). These other guys were somewhat known commodities (not to say we expected this out of NAW). To me, Deni “broke out” last season.
Finn: Our guy Ryan jumped from a decent-at-best rotation player to a good starter with star potential. He posted career-highs in all five major categories while maintaining strong efficiency (52.3% from two, 40.6% from three) despite taking more shots and facing more defensive pressure than ever before. Homer pick? Sorta kinda. Deserving pick? Absolutely. Shoutout Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who will likely be the real winner and made an ascension with the Hawks that nobody expected.
Deolu: I’ll be the odd man out and pick Alexander-Walker here. Alexander-Walker went from a backup wing on a fringe contender in Minnesota to arguably The Man for one of the league’s hottest teams. The 11.4-point jump, along with career highs in rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, plus notable boosts in efficiency, show genuine growth outside of usage. Also, shoutout to C’s center Neemias Queta. Queta was a fringe starter, barely managing 14 minutes a game last year. Now he is the centerpiece of Boston’s imposing defense and has posted career highs in virtually everything worth counting.
Rookie of the Year
Van: Milwaukee’s own Knueppel was the better player from start to finish this year. It wasn’t Flagg’s fault that he was miscast for a time thanks to Jason Kidd running the offense through him, which affected his production a bit, and it’s not as though he had a significantly worse season than his former Duke teammate. The huge efficiency gap, plus the fact that Knueppel was putting those numbers up on a play-in team as opposed to a 26-win squad, makes this an easy call.
Zac: Cooper Flagg will likely end up being the better player down the road, but this year you can’t go past Kon Knueppel. In addition to leading the league in three-pointers made, he was part of some of the best five-man lineups in the league, leading the Hornets to postseason (if not playoff) action. In some ways, this reminds me of the LeBron James vs. Carmelo Anthony ROY debate. The NBA got that wrong—it should have at least been a tie—but now they have a shot at redemption.
Jack: Really tough one. As Finn says, we are not meant to consider Kon’s play-in performance. I just think Kon impacted winning and was a key part of one of the best stories in the NBA this season. Flagg struggled somewhat early, then really hit his stride in the final third of the season, but the Mavs were not playing competitive basketball during that stretch, so I rewarded winning. I still think Flagg has a better career.
Finn: This was the toughest pick to make, and honestly, after Knueppel’s showing in the play-in, I don’t feel good about my decision. But it’s a regular-season award, and the young Hornet did things we’ve never seen before from a rookie, including leading the entire NBA in three-pointers made. No matter which way you shake it, he and Flagg both had special freshman campaigns.
Deolu: Knueppel’s season ended with a whimper in the play-in, but it shouldn’t erase the legendary rookie season he had. Knueppel’s worth extends farther than his league-leading three-point shooting: his all-around scoring (18.6 PPG) on 64% true shooting has pushed the Hornets from the bottom of the barrel to a spooky team. The race is closer than our ballots make it seem, but Kon narrowly gets the edge in my mock ballot.
Clutch Player of the Year
Van: Like I said last year, I still really don’t know how to determine who wins this one. And like last year, I just looked up who had the best scoring and shooting numbers in clutch situations. Murray’s were better in some ways than Ant’s and SGA’s, but he was sharing the clutch responsibilities with Jokic, unlike the other two, who were their team’s “guys.” Also, note to the NBA: keep track of game-winning field goals! Especially buzzer beaters!
Zac: I’ll reiterate what I said in my MVP paragraph: SGA is the one you want with the game on the line, averaging the most points per game in clutch time (6.5)—nearly a full point per game more than second-place Anthony Edwards (5.6)—to go along with the best plus/minus (+3.4). But it goes beyond this. As a guard, the ball is going to be in his hands, and if he doesn’t stick a dagger in your eye from the field, he’ll make it a slow, painful death from the free-throw line (where he’s the only player to average over two made free throws per game in the clutch).
Jack: As others have noted, this award feels gimmicky, but I guess I’ll go with SGA. He hit a tonne of clutch shots this season. He’s just got that quality where he never seems flustered; always in complete control under any circumstance. I thought Cade and Ant also deserve praise for what they did late in games this year.
Finn: For whatever reason, I can’t bring myself to seriously care about this award, so I didn’t put too much thought into it. Shai had the most memorable clutch moments, in my opinion, and the stats back up the selection. Ant hit that unbelievable turnaround OT-forcing triple on Christmas. McCollum had his fair share of late-game heroics for both the Wizards and the Hawks, including a game-winner against the Bucks.
Deolu: This rivalry game-winner says enough about Shai for CPOY. Kawhi Leonard sneaks his way onto my ballot for his three-game winners, including one in the NBA Cup against the Pels. His leadership as the star player and lead vet to steer the Clips from 6-21 to the play-in is also pretty clutch.
Sixth Man of the Year
Van: Seems like there was no clear-cut favorite for this award this year, but I like what Johnson did the most: a more well-rounded scorer than Hardaway, and more helpful than jack-of-all-trades, master-of-none Jaquez. Plus, the edge in team success. It was tempting to reward THJ for his career-best season from the field, though.
Zac: This debate seemingly comes down to preference: Jaime Jaquez Jr. vs. Keldon Johnson. Both are deserving candidates, but it’s Jaquez’s leap as a playmaker that gives him the edge for me. I also can’t ignore the fact that Johnson put up nearly identicalnumbers to last season (albeit slightly more efficiently), when he didn’t receive a single 6MOY vote. Shout-out to Bobby Portis too, who had another strong year despite the Bucks’ chaos—and should already have at least one of these awards.
Jack: Keldon was a major key to the Spurs’ success this year. He was truly all-in on winning and improved the areas of his game that needed work to play that role. I also thought Naz Reid had a strong year off the bench.
Finn: Big Body Keldon Johnson was the heart and soul of the Spurs this year as they established their dominance. He sacrificed usage in favor of impact and changed game after game for San Antonio with his energy off the pine.
Deolu: Jaquez averaged 15 points, five rebounds, and 4.7 assists off the bench on 57% true shooting. His offensive firepower helped Miami’s bench score 43.8 PPG (fourth in the league), and he leads Johnson in points, assists, and stocks. Without Jaquez on the bench, the Heat would be a shell of themselves. I’m not sure if I can say the same for Johnson.
Coach of the Year
Van: Usually, I base this vote on year-to-year improvement by incumbents, which is why Johnson (28 additional wins) and Lee (25) are on my ballot. Apologies to Darko Rajakovic (16) and Jordan Ott (nine), who mainly benefited from a healthier roster in the former’s case and a revamped roster in the latter’s. Bickerstaff got my vote last year because going from historically bad to playoff team (2024 to 2025) is crazy and more unprecedented than six-seed to 60 wins (2025 to 2026). But I can’t deny the gigantic smashing of expectations Mazzulla did with “gap year” Boston.
Zac: Look, Joe Mazzulla will probably win this award, and I have absolutely no issue with that—what he’s done with the Celtics sans Jayson Tatum et al. has been phenomenal and something no one saw coming. But I can’t ignore J.B. Bickerstaff’s efforts either. To go from lottery team to playoff team is one thing. To go from playoff team to 60 wins and the number one seed is another, especially when you lead your team to a 13-5 record without its best player.
Jack: This one was pretty easy for me. Mazzulla has done an unbelievable job turning a team that many thought was heading for a Pacers-esque gap year into a legit title contender. The way this dude has turned other teams’ trash into the Celtics’ treasure is truly astounding. Special shoutouts to Lee and Ott for how they transformed their teams from the previous season’s results.
Finn: Mazzulla is a basketball sicko and genius. The system he’s built in Boston is the reason why they were so good this year. Every single guy on the roster knows their role. The team plays the same way regardless of who’s in the lineup, and it always works. Joe, in my mind, is the real MVP candidate for Boston, not Jaylen Brown.
Deolu: It turns out they weren’t 2-26 bad. Bickerstaff’s has seen the Pistons jump 16 wins to a first seed and their first 60-win season in two decades, a whiplash-inducing turnaround. Additionally, Bickerstaff’s aggressive personality and coaching style have seen Detroit become arguably the best defensive unit in the league, with two potential All-NBA players (Cade Cunningham, Jalen Duren) leading the charge.
Executive of the Year
Van: My rationale here often follows what I employ for Coach of the Year, but in this case, I have to go with Gregory despite leaving Ott off above. The first-year Suns GM completely revamped a flawed roster without a big cupboard of assets (sounds like something the Bucks could do). Peterson didn’t make any huge moves free agency or trade-wise, he just drafted well and benefited from better health—the Hornets weren’t too different. Same with Saleh’s Hawks, though he too made some savvy moves.
Zac: Deolu beat me to the point (see below). Peterson seemed to hit on every decision he made, but drafting three guys—including two second-round picks—who are a core part of a winning rotation stands out.
Jack: Peterson utilised the draft, trades, and free agency to completely transform a team that was a bottom-feeder just one year ago. Brilliant work. The Coby White trade, in particular, was a master stroke. Onsi Saleh gets in there solely off his trade with the Pels to get their first-rounder this year, LOL.
Finn: If you ask Mazzulla how the Celtics have achieved the role definition and connectivity I just gushed about (as I did when Boston visited Milwaukee on April 3rd), he’ll first credit the players, but then he’ll credit the front office. Brad Stevens sniffed out the players that fit the Boston ethos, allowing them to remain one of basketball’s best teams despite being forced to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis over the summer.
Deolu: The Hornets had the best turnaround this season. Through Jeff Peterson’s savvy draft picks (Kneuppel, Ryan Kalkbrenner, Sion James), trades (Coby White for Collin Sexton), and hiring (second-year head coach Lee), the Hornets went from a sub-20 win team to a ninth seed in the East with aspirations of further growth.
All-NBA Teams
Van: Here’s where I talk about Jaylen Brown. All of us had him on our first team before the Doncic and Cunningham announcement. I had to put the NBA’s leading scorer (Luka) among the top five, but quite simply, Brown had a better year than Cunningham. A slight edge in efficiency and a larger one defensively outweighs Cunningham’s superiority as a passer, and Brown was certainly the more prolific scorer. The Celtics had only four fewer victories too. Shout out to Murray for a ridiculously good year that would have put him second team had it not been for the 65-game rule shenanigans, to Holmgren for the best two-way year outside of Wemby, and Wisconsin native Johnson for all-around offensive prowess.
Zac: The Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham “extraordinary circumstances” rulings changed my picks—initially, I had Jaylen Brown and Jaylen Brunson in my first team—but that’s another discussion in and of itself. I also continue to dislike the “positionless” nature of these teams, which leads them to be a list of the season’s 15 best players rather than realistic teams. All this said, I was higher on Avdija than most, who put up similar (if not better) stats than Kawhi Leonard and Kevin Durant, leading the Blazers to a better-than-expected record, while the Clippers and Rockets underwhelmed relative to expectations.
Jack: The first team drama re: Luka and Cade was addressed by others. If I were to single one guy out who really had an underrated year, it’d be LaMelo Ball. No longer is he this bit player that people make fun of; he is now a legit point guard who drives winning at a high level. The season that Kawhi put together was otherworldly, and I wanted to put him on the second team because of that.
Finn: Once Luka and Cade were approved, they were no-brainer first-team additions. Before that, I had Kawhi on my first team, who just had the best individual regular season of his Hall of Fame career. I made no real zag picks here— I thought LaMelo would be one, but Jack and Deolu made me look smarter, haha.
Deolu: The first five players are pretty much set in stone, but Jaylen Brown is pretty unlucky to miss out on a first-team nod. His career highs of 28.7 PPG, almost seven RPG, and just over five APG helped Boston avoid the injury slump. His stats aren’t quite good enough to hang with the likes of Shai, Wemby, Luka, and Jokic, but Jaylen Brown’s 60-or-so games as the number-one option on the C’s put him in a very real conversation with Cunningham for the final slot.
All-Defensive Teams
Van: This is all about impact for me, like the other awards. I just mentioned Holmgren, though he didn’t make my DPOY ballot for similar reasons to Shai: the Thunder were an elite defense when he played and merely really good when he didn’t. The Wolves were frankly terrible without Gobert and top-five equivalent with him, as were the Celtics depending on where you’d find White. Thompson is an outstanding individual defender for a top-ten unit, but didn’t have the on-off numbers to back it up, and I was just too impressed by White’s and Gobert’s. Three of my second team guys were also the best defenders on great defenses and merited spots (honorable mention to Dunn, whose Clippers weren’t quite good enough to get him on). Wallace is similarly great in his own right but affected by the same Holmgren dilemma. Then we have Queta, whom Delou discussed above. His on/off numbers elevated Boston from what would be the 20th-ranked D to the second.
Zac: I toyed with the idea of having three centres in my First Team, but decided Rudy Gobert would suffer from voter fatigue. Instead, I went with his teammate, Jaden McDaniels. He’s not as flashy as some of the other wing defenders out there—especially in terms of highlight plays and traditional defensive stats like blocks, steals, and rebounds. In many ways, he reminds me of another slender 6’9” wing defender who, despite making four All-Defensive Second Teams, never really got the praise he deserved: Tayshaun Prince. Plus, there’s a reason they call him “Seatbelt.”
Jack: I thought Camara started slow, but got back to his defensive best by about a third of the way through the year. Kris Dunn was a really underrated part of why the Clippers had the season they did after the rough start; he was nails all year on defence, and I thought he deserved his plauidts.
Finn: I had my first team penned in since probably December. All five guys up there would be fully deserving DPOYs, although Wemby has made it an uncontested race, of course.
Deolu: Derrick White is probably the most exciting person I chose on this list. It will genuinely be interesting if he can earn a First Team nod after being snubbed last year. White somehow averages more blocks (1.3) than steals (1.1) per game, and his role as the point-of-action defender is invaluable for the league’s second-best defense (behind the Thunder).
All-Rookie Teams
Van: Beyond the top two rooks, pretty clear that Edgecombe and Harper deserved plaudits for solid debuts on playoff teams. Bailey was good enough for a crap team. Fears and Queen were pleasant surprises, though not as much as Coward, Kalkbrenner (crazy value in the second round), and Raynaud. I admit I didn’t know who that Parisian was until late in the year. This rookie class is a touch underwhelming to me overall.
Zac: These seemed relatively straightforward for me. I suppose Cedric Coward could have taken Derik Queen’s spot, but Queen played 19 more games, which should mean something—and likely still suffers from the backlash of the trade that got him to New Orleans in the first place. I also really wanted to reward Sion James, whose defence will make him a valuable player for years to come, but couldn’t justify him above any of the other guys.
Jack: Jeremiah Fears had a really good year, and one that really surprised me as someone who thought he would be awful as a rookie. Maxime Raynaud looks like a gem for the Kings, as does Will Riley for the Wizards. I’m still undecided on Queen being a winning player, but he at least makes that trade more palatable.
Finn: Cooper Flagg is still the best long-term prospect in this class, but Dylan Harper isn’t far behind him. The bench role he was forced into (but thrived in) masked just how much of a stud he already is and is going to become. Ace Bailey, one of the most-discussed guys pre-draft, had a quiet year in terms of fanfare, but he looked like a real weapon in Will Hardy’s system and is still a strong bet to return top-five value.
Deolu: I’m surprised I’m the only one here with Kings guard Nique Clifford anywhere. Outside of disappointing shooting, Clifford has been a Swiss Army knife for a struggling, tanking squad. He averaged a respectable 8.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 0.9 steals in 75 appearances. Clifford overperformed as Tank Commander after Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan checked out for the season; in his last seven games, he averaged 17.6 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 4.1 assists on .500/.355/.842 shooting. He’ll be the sleeper to watch out from this rookie class in the future.
There you have it: our fake ballots. Why don’t you submit one too? Hit the comments, and also tell us if our picks are off base.
VJ Edgecombe
Victor Wembanyama
Luke Kennard
Celtics
