Odds Say 2021 NBA Awards Are Already Decided
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The NBA regular season is almost over but there is still a lot to play for given the play-in games. Voters will have a hard time deciding All-NBA teams this year, but it seems all of the major awards are decided based on BetMGM odds. In a shortened season, durability was a big factor for the awards. We saw some take a hit because they missed a few weeks, but there really should be no complaints about those likely to win. There were some battles between players like Embiid and Jokic for MVP and Ben Simmons or Rudy Gobert for DPOY. Odds have all but finalized who will be taking home the hardware this season.
MVP & ROY
Over the final months of the season, the MVP race began to dwindle. LeBron James had an injury that kept him out for weeks and Steph Curry’s team just isn’t at the level. The race was coming down to Joel Embid and Nikola Jokic, but the injury to Embiid caused him to miss some time. Jokic was +2500 to start the season and now is -2000. This is essentially a lock to win the MVP at this point. Jokic is currently leading the league in win shares and averaging 26-10-8 on 56/39/86 shooting. He ranks first in player efficiency rating and has been leading this Nuggets team with Jamal Murray done for the year.
Coming into the season, Rookie of the Year was between a few people. Anthony Edwards, James Wiseman, LaMelo Ball, and even Tyrese Haliburton were names all bring thrown around. LaMelo Ball has had the more impressive season and has also meant more to his team. There was a quick instance where Edwards was the favorite due to Ball’s wrist injury, but him returning to play and his usual form has put him at -750 to win the award. Both of these awards are not shockers with how they have played this season.
DPOY, MIP, 6MOY
Rudy Gobert was an early favorite to win the award as he is already a multi-time winner and one of the best defensive players in the league. Anthony Davis missed too many games and took himself out of it, but Ben Simmons was the other name in the mix. Gobert’s rim protection is ultimately what edges him out over the others here. He wasn’t a massive value at the beginning of the season but is now -1600 to win the award.
Most improved had a lot of names early, like Christian Wood and Jerami Grant. Both had excellent seasons but Julius Randle carried this Knicks team to a playoff spot and we are not talking about the play-in game either. Randle really evolved when it came to his shooting and playmaking. He is averaging 24-10-5 this season on 45/41/81 shooting. Those are stellar numbers for the six-year power forward. He also was a massive bargain at +900 before the season and is now -5000 to win the award.
The sixth man of the year is going to go to Jordan Clarkson, who was +900 at the beginning of the year and is now -1000.
