Looking back at the 2021 NBA awards season, I can't help but feel it was one of the most compelling in recent memory. The competition across every category felt particularly fierce, which brings to mind something Australian basketball coach Melina Torcaso once said about competition: "I think that we have to have that competition. It's very important to have competition." That sentiment perfectly captures what made the 2021 awards so special - every category featured legitimate contenders who pushed each other to new heights throughout the shortened 72-game season.
The MVP race particularly stood out to me as someone who's followed basketball for over two decades. Nikola Jokic ultimately took home the hardware, and honestly, I thought he was the deserving winner despite what some analysts argued. The Serbian big man put up staggering numbers - 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while carrying the Denver Nuggets after Jamal Murray's season-ending injury. What impressed me most was his incredible efficiency, shooting 56.6% from the field and 38.8% from three-point range as a center. Joel Embiid finished second in the voting, and while his 28.5 points and 10.6 rebounds were spectacular, he missed 21 games due to various injuries. Stephen Curry placed third after his phenomenal scoring outburst in the season's second half, but the Warriors' middling record likely cost him serious consideration.
The Defensive Player of the Year award went to Rudy Gobert, marking his third win in four years. I'll admit I was rooting for Ben Simmons that year - the Philadelphia guard's versatility fascinated me with his ability to guard all five positions. But looking back objectively, Gobert's impact on Utah's defense was undeniable. The Jazz allowed just 103.5 points per 100 possessions with him on court compared to 112.3 when he sat. Those numbers still stick with me because they illustrate how one player can transform an entire defensive system. Simmons finished second while Draymond Green placed third, though I personally believe Green's defensive IQ and communication skills made him equally valuable to Golden State's scheme.
What really stood out to me about the 2021 rookie class was how quickly they adapted to the unusual circumstances of playing during a pandemic. LaMelo Ball deservedly won Rookie of the Year after putting up 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while bringing excitement back to the Charlotte Hornets. I remember watching his no-look passes and thinking we were witnessing something special. Anthony Edwards finished second, and while his raw numbers were impressive (19.3 points per game), his efficiency left something to be desired. Tyrese Haliburton placed third after a surprisingly polished season where he averaged 13 points and 5.3 assists with fantastic shooting splits. Looking back, I'd argue Haliburton's mature playmaking might have been even more valuable long-term than Edwards' scoring outbursts.
The Sixth Man award went to Jordan Clarkson, who provided exactly the microwave scoring Utah needed off their bench. His 18.4 points per game in just 26.7 minutes exemplified what a reserve contributor should be. Joe Ingles finished second, and honestly, I thought his combination of shooting (45.1% from three) and playmaking made him equally valuable to Utah's success. Derrick Rose placed third after his mid-season trade to New York, where he averaged 14.9 points and 4.2 assists while providing veteran leadership to a surprising Knicks playoff team.
Tom Thibodeau winning Coach of the Year felt particularly satisfying to me. After some questioned whether his old-school approach still worked in the modern NBA, he transformed the Knicks from a lottery team to the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. The Knicks improved their winning percentage from .292 to .569 under his guidance - one of the most dramatic single-season turnarounds I've seen. Monty Williams finished second after leading Phoenix to 51 wins, while Quin Snyder placed third for Utah's league-best 52-20 record.
The Most Improved Player award sparked plenty of debate that season. Julius Randle ultimately won after his astonishing leap from solid starter to All-NBA performer. His numbers jumped from 19.5 points and 9.7 rebounds to 24.1 points and 10.2 rebounds while dramatically improving his playmaking and three-point shooting. Jerami Grant finished second after his move to Detroit where he became a primary option, and Michael Porter Jr. placed third after emerging as Denver's second scorer. Personally, I thought Porter's improvement was equally impressive given his efficiency leap and expanded role following Murray's injury.
Reflecting on that entire awards season, Torcaso's comments about competition resonate strongly. The 2021 winners and finalists pushed each other throughout that unusual COVID-affected season, creating memorable races across every category. What stands out to me years later is how many of those players have continued to build on their 2021 performances - Jokic has since won another MVP, Edwards has become a superstar, and Haliburton has developed into an All-NBA point guard. The competition that defined that season wasn't just about individual awards but about establishing legacies that would extend far beyond that singular year.
