In this conversational YouTube video, former NBA players Draymond Green and Baron Davis debate the 2024‑25 NBA award candidates. They start with the MVP race, weighing Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander (SGA) against Nikola Jokic and expressing a desire for co‑MVPs, ultimately favoring SGA for his defensive impact and leadership despite his team lacking a true center. They then move to Most Improved Player, highlighting Austin Reeves (undrafted, Lakers bench star) as the clear choice, while also acknowledging Dyson Daniels and dismissing Cade Cunningham. For Rookie of the Year, both agree Stephon Castle is the obvious winner. The Coach of the Year debate features Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers), Ime Udoka (Houston), and J.B. Bickerstaff (Detroit), with Green ultimately selecting Atkinson after discussing each coach’s turnaround and system impact. The Sixth Man discussion pits Payton Pritchard (Boston) against Malik Beasley (Detroit); Green leans toward Beasley for his scoring and three‑point volume, while Davis favors Pritchard. Finally, for Defensive Player of the Year, Green humorously votes for himself, citing his defensive anchor role, with Davis supporting the pick. Throughout, they reference specific statistics, team contexts, and personal anecdotes, offering a blend of analysis and banter.
Chapters
First up, we talked about this MVP, SGA, Joker, or co-MVPs. What do you think?
I would love to see co-MVPs. I would love to see these voters, all 100 of them, call each other, tally up y'all's votes so these guys can tie, because I think it's incredible. And saying that, uh, I have to pick one or the other. I have to guard Joker. I know how tough that is. It's extremely tough. I've seen people get fatigued off of greatness over and over again. LeBron James only has 4 MVP trophies.
That's good.
LeBron James was the MVP way more than 4 times in the NBA. So because people has done that, keep that same energy. What's been a big deal is being the best player on the best team. And not only is Shai the best player on the best team, But he's playing at such an elite level. It ain't like he the best player on a, on a even team and like he a little better.
Right.
He's like, he is one of the best players in the NBA and has taken that team higher. And so in saying that, just with what MVP has meant, with what the MVP has done, I think it's gonna look crazy in 10 years. You put those numbers next to each other and be like, Jokic didn't win. But in saying that, I gotta go with SGA.
Got you, SGA. To your point, defensive presence underrated this year still.
Absolutely.
Joker, the first center to average a triple-double and for an entire season. I mean, I like to see co-MVPs just so when we go back to history, people can go back and see the type of year that both of these players were having and how they were going back and forth in this climb for the MVP race. But if I have to side a vote, I would side for SGA, 'cause I watched this man play defense, I watched him lead his team, and to your point, he is just on a high, high level of frequency, and he's pulled a lot of these talented guys on this team up to his level, right? Playing at a level above.
I think one of the most underrated things about the year SGA had is they spent an extended period of time this year with no center. They had Hardenstein was out, Chet was out, and Jalen, the bigger Jalen Williams was out. They were out there running 5 guards and still winning games.
That's crazy.
That is extremely impressive. And I just think another thing that kind of gives SGA the boost. So even when things weren't ideal, he still found a way to lead his teams to win. And I think, you know, that says a lot.
I agree. I totally agree.
Most improved player. Who you got for most improved? Dyson Daniels, Austin Reeves?
I would say, Austin Reeves.
A lot of people saying Cade Cunningham.
Well, Cade Cunningham is too good and he was so good last year that he's too good to be most improved. We expect that right outta Cade and Cade expect that out of himself and he's just living into his magic. He got the All-Star accolades and so what's next for him is, you know, consistent All-Stars. When you look at somebody like a Dyson Daniels coming out the G League, and coming outta nowhere to make a name for himself. Then you look at an Austin Reeves, who was he a second round pick or undrafted?
Undrafted.
I think he was undrafted, right? Making a name for himself to stay on the Lakers, to then being a fan favorite off the bench, now being a bona fide NBA star. He has, he's real. And he became a real household name and somebody you gotta recognize this year. Yeah, and went from 15 to 10. 20 points a game with LeBron, with Luka still in the mix. So I would give it to Austin Reeves.
And when it wasn't Luka, AD, it was—
AD, and he was cracking with AD.
Yeah, absolutely. I, I, I gotta go with Austin Reeves as well. I think Dyson Daniels is right there. Kay Cunningham, no chance. Like you said, Kay's way too good. He been way too good for this award.
And shout out to Dyson Daniels for making a name for himself. The work he put in, like he making Atlanta have somebody else to talk about besides what Trae Young is doing.
Absolutely. I think, but when I look at Austin Reeves, he's been arguably the best third option in basketball. And when called upon in, and presented the opportunity, he's been an incredible 2.
Yeah.
When called upon. And so I think to go from undrafted to that, 15 points to 20 points, there's a big difference in the NBA of averaging 15 points to 20 points. Like you may look at that and be like, oh, that's only 5 points. A 15-point-a-night guy off night is 6.
Yes.
A 20-point-a-night guy off night is 16.
Yep. 15, 16.
To put into perspective for you, the jump that Austin Reeves has made, to jump your average from 15 points to 20 points, that is the, that's also the difference in like someone making $15 million a year and someone making $35 million a year. Like it, that is a drastic jump. And obviously we know he can pass the ball too. He rebounds the ball.
Yep.
I think I gotta go with Austin Reeves. Like you said, shout out to Dyson Daniels. I think what he's done is incredible. To see him playing at the level he playing at is great, but I gotta go with Austin Reeves. And I did not know JJ Redick was campaigning for Austin Reeves when he said the awards is the high pick award that was on lottery pick. What'd he say? Lottery pick that's now on a high contract that finally had— Yeah, it was a campaign. Something of that nature. It was a campaign. I didn't realize it, JJ, you slid that one in, but you got a point, my brother.
He definitely made people think about the vote. Rookie of the Year, easy.
Stephon Castle, no question.
Stephon Castle.
No question.
Love that kid, he next up.
No question. Stephon Castle, easy. We're gonna look back at this. Stephon Castle is gonna be a star, and of course he should've won Rookie of the Year. He gonna be next to Wimby in San Antonio, dynamic duo, back-to-back Rookie of the Years and it's all gonna make sense. But Stephon Castle, no question, is Rookie of the Year. And I'm gonna tell you this, Stephon Castle, when he improved that jump shot, and I say when because I know he will because he's a willing shooter.
Next year.
One of the biggest keys about being, learning to shoot the ball with consistency is being a willing shooter. And he is willing, no matter how many he miss in a row, He raising up, taking that next one. And I love that attitude. That kid is gonna be a star. I'm looking forward to a Rookie of the Year. Congrats, young fella. It should be yours in the bag. We got Coach of the Year. Some say Kenny Atkinson. The Cavs were 48-34 in '23-'24. They increased that to 63 wins, possibly 64. Number 1 seed in the East. You got Ime Udoka, 41-41 last season, number 11 in the Western Conference standings. Fast forward to 2025, they have 52 wins, could be 53, could have been 55. They've kind of bombed the last couple games. Like nonetheless, Ime Udoka has to be in the running. And then JB Bickerstaff, 14 wins to 44 wins.
Damn.
First season of coaching this team. He was the coach of the team that the Cavs, who Kenny Atkinson has now bumped up 15 wins to 63. Who you got? Those 3 guys, Coach of the Year.
Is this Kenny Atkinson's first year with the Cavs?
This is Kenny Atkinson's first year. He was with the Dubs last year.
That's crazy. And is J.B. Vickers' first year with Detroit?
This is his first year.
Oh, this is a hell of a storyline. And what I would do is I would honor them both. This would be a co-coach of the year. You gotta do co-coach of the year. Like, I would give two awards out, 'cause it's just, if it has to be one person, cool, but I don't think it should just be one guy.
Ime Udoka went from 11th to 2nd.
That's crazy too. Give 'em all an award. No, but you can't do that.
Give 'em all an award.
You cannot do that. I agree. They're all deserving. They're all deserving. Yeah.
But you cannot do that.
I mean, damn. That's too hard. If I'm voting, I don't know. That's too tough, dude. That's tough. They all matter. Like what JB did, taking Detroit from nothing to something to a playoff team. What Ime did from last year, taking them to the 2 seed. Showing a lot of promise. You know, people thought that Houston would have a team that's gonna be in the playoffs. So, you know, he overexceeded expectations. And then Kenny Atkinson came in and took over a job from a team and, you know, damn near got them 20 more wins than what they had the year before and a number 1 seed in the East. So if I have to give the award, I will probably— it probably should go to Kenny Atkinson.
Yeah.
With JB at a very, very close second, almost a tie, and Ime at a very, very close second.
I respect that. I think when you look at the system that Kenny has brought to that team, like they had talent already and he took that same talent and has turned that talent into what it should be. I think it's hard not to go with Kenny. I also think he turned Evan Mobley into a star. And when I say turned Evan Mobley into a star, understand that I'm not saying Kenny Atkinson turned— Evan Mobley has worked his ass off to become who he's become.
He unleashed the star.
He put him in position to reach who he's supposed to become, which is a star in the NBA. And Evan Mobley's had an incredible year on both sides of the ball. Um, he will be an All-NBA performer. Evan Mobley, I think when you look at getting Darius Garland back to All-Star form, like Darius Garland was the lost man last year. Like Darius Garland was on his way outta Cleveland. It was all going wrong. It looked like he had popped for a year or two and it was going the wrong way. Kenny comes in. Kenny. Push that confidence back into him, put him in a system where he can thrive in. And so I think when you're looking at that on top of winning 64 games, I gotta go with Kenny Atkinson. I think that's— JB's incredible to go from 14 to 44 wins. I think it's incredible. Ime to go from 11— I'm a big fan of Ime. Just the attitude that Ime give his teams is crazy. Played against him in the NBA Finals. He's going to Houston and taking a joke of a team after James Harden to the second seed in the West. Brought an attitude, stepped up and said the guys that he wanted. Bringing in Fred VanVleet as a free agent was huge. You know what I'm saying? Like bringing in a veteran presence like Jeff Green was huge, you know? And these are all things that Ime Udoka's pointing out and saying, no, I need this. And so bringing in Dylan Brooks, free agency. Yeah. You know, people was off Dylan Brooks, Grizzlies off Dylan Brooks. He like, yo, bring him over here. Huge. You know what I'm saying? So what Ime's done has been incredible. And I think he right up there and deserving, but I think I gotta go with Kenny Atkinson on this one as well.
Awesome.
Sixth Man of the Year.
Oh, Payton Pritchard. That's easy.
We got Sixth Man of the Year. You got Payton Pritchard or Malik Beasley?
I got Payton Pritchard. That's easy, man. The way he has improved. I'd have put Payton Pritchard up there also for most improved. Just to put him in that category. But talking about energy, you know, fire and a difference maker for Boston off the bench and another leader, they found another leader. They found another go-to guy, which is crazy. And then not to discount what the season that Malik Beasley has had because he's been another part of that Piston team, that 44, that 14 to 44 win turnaround. And he's been a great compliment and reliable source 4K Cunningham. And so 312 threes this season, a Piston record. Shout out to Malik Beasley. But when we talking about sixth man and a difference maker and a game changer, somebody's coming in and change the game, I gotta go to Peyton, with Peyton Pritchard.
I think Peyton Pritchard's been incredible. He increased his points from 9 to 14, which is a big jump. You know, I think he's had a great year. 251 made threes. Great year on a great team. Won 60 games. But I gotta go Malik Beasley on this one. Malik Beasley has found a new home. 312 threes this season. I think both of these guys shoot threes. Malik Beasley's averaging 16 points off the bench. So he's winning in both of those categories and their team is winning. I think when you, You can look at record, but obviously Boston's gonna have a much better record than Detroit. They have a much better team than Detroit. But I gotta go with Malik Beasley on this one. Hit your 3, hit your shimmy, player. Do your hip dance or whatever it is. But I think Malik Beasley is deserving. I think he should get it. I think he's earned it. That's who I'm rolling with.
There it is. All right, last but not least, Defensive Player of the Year. I will give you the floor because you know where my vote is going. What do you wanna say about Defensive Player of the Year? It's your last one.
Oh man, I think put it in the bag.
Put it in the bag.
That's what I think. Put it in the bag. Yours truly. That's who I'm rocking with. You know, I think, listen, I think Evan Mobley has had a great year. Dyson Daniels has had a great year. I think, you know, Zubac has had a great year. You know, all those guys that had a great year, I ain't taking nothing away from 'em and I see 'em on First Team All-Defense, but I think DPOY should go to yours truly. I'll take that.
Yeah, I gotta rock with you, bro. You've been, you know, we talk about the season, the solid, consistent, and you just been a terror. You've had amazing moments. When you look at team defense and team awareness and having that anchor, I mean, you're the guy and look at the Warrior numbers. So shout out to you. You my pick. You been my pick all year, man. Let's lock in. Let's go, Dub Nation. Mm-hmm.
