2025 NBA postseason predictions: SGA wins MVP over Jokic, Lakers make Finals

The results for the NBA awards will be trickling in soon, so it's time for a highlight reel of my picks, as well as my playoff predictions. 

It's always an honor to be among the media members selected to vote for the awards, even though my eyes have glazed over watching games and analyzing stats, and I've definitely lost sleep pondering some very tough decisions. 

But alas, the ballot has been filled out. The playoffs are beginning. And here's how I think everything should go down. 

MVP: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

This year, the best player on the best team deserves the award. Gilgeous-Alexander led the youngest team in the NBA to a 68-win season, averaging a league-leading 32.7 points a game on an extremely efficient 51.9 percent shooting. He had the most 20, 30, 40 and 50-point games of anyone in the league. Not to mention, he had the lowest turnover percentage of anyone with his usage rate or higher for the last 20 seasons.

But what really pushed him over the edge for this award was his phenomenal two-way play. He was one of the top defenders on the top-rated defensive team in the league. He not only led the NBA in win shares, but also in defensive wins shares, ranking top-five in steals. 

While his competition for the award, Nikola Jokic, also put up astounding numbers on the offensive end, Gilgeous-Alexander's play on both ends of the court gave him the advantage in a very close two-horse race. 

Defensive Player of the Year: Draymond Green

When Victor Wembanyama's season came to an unexpected end because of a deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder in February, this award became up for grabs. Green has distinguished himself from his competitors. The best argument for Green to win Defensive Player of the Year?