Are there TOO many NBA awards?

Описание: #nba
Here’s a condensed version, reduced by about 2000 characters:

---

Welcome back to the show. Today we’re talking about NBA awards and accolades—and which ones actually matter when analyzing players historically. How much of a player’s career accomplishments are fluff? Some players have long lists of accolades from high school, college, or international play, but does anyone care about the Wayman Tisdale Award or Gatorade Player of the Week? No disrespect to EuroLeague MVPs, but the real focus is on NBA awards—and not all of them.

Recent awards feel a bit participation-like. Adam Silver even said the new awards aim to combat “ring culture,” where championships define legacies. But some backfire, like the Eastern Conference Finals MVP. Jimmy Butler’s reluctance to accept it shows how it pales in significance. Similarly, the Clutch Player of the Year award feels arbitrary. Shouldn’t handling pressure be reflected in Finals MVP performances? Instead, it rewards a few game-winners and dilutes the meaning of awards.

The NBA Cup is another mixed bag. The unique court designs and December stakes are fun, but its legacy impact feels nonexistent. Even last year, few cared that the Lakers won. Comparing it to the FA Cup in English soccer doesn’t fit; basketball lacks the scale and infrastructure for such an endeavor. Instead, expanding interleague play could be a better use of resources. The NBA Cup feels like a novelty that won’t last.

Let’s discuss the awards that matter. The lowest tier is All-Defensive selections, especially the second team. While it’s impressive, much of it hinges on reputation and team defense. Players like DeAndre Jordan made it for highlight blocks, while elite defenders like Luguentz Dort often go unnoticed because their impact isn’t in the box score. Still, All-Defensive teams are a nice acknowledgment in a league dominated by offense.

The All-Star selection, on the other hand, is more of a vanity accolade. Fan voting skews results, as seen with Andrew Wiggins being a starter or Zaza Pachulia nearly making it due to Warriors fans. Coaches pick reserves, but even then, cultural relevance often outweighs true talent. All-Star bonuses in contracts, like Domantas Sabonis missing out on $1.3 million last year, create misplaced incentives, making All-Star teams more about popularity than skill.

Sixth Man and Most Improved Player awards are a mixed bag. They recognize advancement but don’t necessarily reflect excellence. Ja Morant winning Most Improved while being All-NBA illustrates how these awards can feel beneath players at their peak. Still, players like Jamal Crawford and Lou Williams value the Sixth Man award deeply, so its importance is subjective.

Now, the most significant awards: All-NBA teams, Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY), and MVP. All-NBA selections reflect true talent and winning, contrasting with All-Star selections that focus on celebrity. They also have financial implications, as All-NBA players qualify for supermax contracts. However, teams don’t always offer them, as seen with Kemba Walker in 2019. Similarly, DPOY winners rarely get supermax deals, but the honor remains prestigious.

MVP and Finals MVP are the pinnacle. MVP winners qualify for supermax deals for three years, and the award’s historical significance is unmatched. Finals MVP, however, holds unique weight because it inherently ties to a championship victory (unless you’re Jerry West in 1969). It represents the ultimate value a player brought to their team when it mattered most. Unlike other awards, Finals MVP isn’t something players chase—it naturally goes to the player who defined the series.

In the end, the awards that truly matter are those tied to winning and historical context. They remind us of the league’s greatest moments and players who shaped its legacy. Anything else risks being forgotten in the shuffle.

---