NBA Mid-Season Awards: Updating the ballot at the midway point

NBA Mid-Season Awards: Updating the ballot for the half season

PHILADELPHIA, PA - FEBRUARY 27: Ben Simmons #25 and Joel Embiid #21 of the Philadelphia 76ers look on against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Wells Fargo Center on February 27, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

6 of 7

NBA (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Defensive Player of the Half-Year – Ben Simmons

Honorable Mentions: Rudy Gobert, Myles Turner

Quarter-Pole Choice: Rudy Gobert

Ben Simmons has thrived in his role for the Philadelphia 76ers this season, being allowed to focus on the defensive end of the floor while Joel Embiid, Tobias Harris and Seth Curry have thrived on the offensive end of the floor. Simmons is allowed to devote all of his energy to locking in on defense. While that has always been a strength this season it has set him apart unlike any other.

Related Story. Does a Sixers-Oladipo trade make sense?. light

Simmons disrupts passing lanes like it is as easy as breathing. He guards all five positions at an elite level and causes star players to look average. Simmons is averaging 1.6 steals per game (tied

for seventh). As long as the Sixers maintain one of the best records in the league, they deserve this level of recognition and Simmons is just one of the players who will get rewarded.

Rudy Gobert is the anchor for the Utah Jazz defense and while he may get played off the court in certain matchups, he is the driving force behind their regular-season dominance on that side of the court. Myles Turner gets a shoutout for thriving in basic counting stats, leading the league in blocks at 3.4 per game. He deserves credit on a team that is less than elite on that front.