Making picks for MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and more.
The NBA will make its return Tuesday night, and we asked our writers to make their award predictions.
Most Valuable Player
Howard Beck: u200bu200bJoel Embiid, 76ers
If not for an injury, Embiid might have seized the MVP award last season, instead of finishing a distant second. And yes, we know, if not for an injury is a sad staple of Embiid’s bio. But let's be clear: Embiid (ahem, when healthy) is the most dominant two-way center in the league, with wonderfully versatile scoring skills and the mobility to anchor a top-five defense.