The NBA has recently announced its All-Rookie first and second team selections for the 2024-25 season, highlighting standout performances from the league’s newcomers. Stephon Castle, who was named the Rookie of the Year, achieved a remarkable feat by receiving unanimous first-team votes from all 100 ballots cast by a global media panel.
As fans eagerly await the remaining awards, it’s essential to note that players must participate in a minimum of 65 regular-season games to qualify. Additionally, the NBA awards are based solely on regular-season performances, excluding postseason contributions.
The MVP race is notably competitive, centering around two exceptional players: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, a three-time MVP winner. The two faced off in the Western Conference semifinals, where the Thunder, as the top seed, emerged victorious in a thrilling seven-game series. The league is set to announce the MVP award after this determining matchup, intriguingly positioning the stats of both players for consideration:
– Gilgeous-Alexander: Averaging 29.7 points per game (ppg) with a shooting percentage of 52.9%, alongside 6.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists.
– Jokic: Not far behind, Jokic averaged 28.4 ppg with a 47.9% shooting percentage, contributing significantly with 13.9 rebounds and 5.9 assists.
Both players have delivered outstanding performances, creating anticipation around how closely the MVP votes might mirror their playoff statistics.
For the All-NBA selections, Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is expected to join the first team alongside either Jokic or Gilgeous-Alexander. The remaining spots are contested among notable players including Anthony Edwards of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jayson Tatum from the Boston Celtics, Donovan Mitchell of the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Los Angeles Lakers icon LeBron James. With Edwards and Mitchell having yet to achieve first-team honors, their chances this season are particularly intriguing.
Also under review is the All-Defensive Team, which could feature NBA Defensive Player of the Year Evan Mobley and Oklahoma City Thunder’s Lu Dort as potential first-team selections. The team may include other standout defensive players like Draymond Green and Dyson Daniels.
As the NBA moves forward in recognizing these top performances, fans and analysts alike will be closely monitoring the announcements for a thrilling finish to the season. The excitement surrounding individual player achievements adds an additional layer to the ongoing playoff battles, making this award season a focal point of league activity.