Who can do it all for their team?

The reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, surprised fans this season with their underwhelming start. They have fallen to 4th in their conference, with a record of 14-9, with the unexpected Minnesota Timberwolves leading with a record of 17-4. The Celtics are leading their conference with a record of 16-5, as of December 9th. 

The NBA in-season tournament was introduced this year, and fans have loved it! Many teams played well, with many obvious teams that led their groups, and some teams that were seemingly underestimated. The teams that led their groups were the Los Angeles Lakers, the Milwaukee Bucks, and the Boston Celtics. The “underdogs” in this tournament that led their group were the Indiana Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, the New Orleans Pelicans, led by Zion Williamson, and the Sacramento Kings, led by De’aaron Fox. These teams led the In-Season Tournament’s regular season before the playoffs began. The Lakers, Pelicans, Bucks, and the Pacers pulled ahead to meet at their conference finals, but the Pelicans and the Bucks fell short. On December 9th, the Lakers faced the Pacers in a legendary matchup. The Lakers fought hard and won with a blowout over the Pacers, ending in a score of 109-123. Fans are excited to see the next tournament in the 2024-2025 season.

Students at Oakland Mills were asked, “If the season were to end right now, who would win each award?” Currently, the Rookie of the Year (ROTY) award race is neck and neck, with Ausar Thompson from Overtime Elite and Victor Wembanyama racing for the title, while Scoot Henderson trails behind. OM students believe that Wembanyama has been seriously doubted by all NBA watchers because of his build, and has started the process of proving them wrong. Ausar Thompson, the other high-performing rookie is also facing the doubts of NBA viewers. He played for Overtime Elite, which to some, is seen as an overhyped high school basketball league. Many NBA viewers have said that he was not ready to face the talents in the NBA. He came into the league hustling for rebounds, blocks, and steals, showing everyone how hungry he was to win. Scoot Henderson, a rookie who is trying very hard to do what people expect from him, is not holding up those expectations, but many fans still believe in him. Coming from already playing professional basketball for NBA G League Ignite, people believed that it would not be a shock for him to enter the NBA. Students at OM all have their favorites for the ROTY, favoring Victor Wembanyama. One student, junior Sean Hillary, said “Wemby got all the hype, Number 1 one draft pick, 7 foot 4. Everything, he has everything.” Even though these players are not necessarily on a good team, they are both showing the world who they are and making a name for themselves. 

Now, onto the league’s veterans who are involved in the MVP race this season. Joel Embiid, the defending MVP, has some serious competition so far, including Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Jayson Tatum, and Giannis Antetekounmpo. All five of these players have led their teams into the top five seeds in their respective conferences so far this season. Luka Doncic is averaging the most points this season, with 31.9, then Jokic with 30, Giannis with 29.5, and Jayson Tatum with 28.5. Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are neck and neck to be considered as the best players in the NBA, both averaging over 30 points and 8 assists a game. Fans believe that one thing can put Jokic in the higher spot, rebounding. Jokic has been averaging 13.7 rebounds per game, with Luka averaging only 7.8 per game. Some fans say that Luka should not be expected to be getting rebounds like Jokic because Jokic is a center and Luka is a point guard, but the stats are just proving who has more. Jokic is doing more at a higher level, which could put him at the top of the race for his third MVP. Other fans are wondering what gives Luka the ability to be overlooked for rebounds in the MVP race and why both of their stats should be taken at face value. No matter who wins the MVP or ROTY, it will be interesting to see what happens this NBA season.