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NBA Final Awards Ballot: Who gets to bring home the hardware?

By Corey Rausch

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts following a call during the second quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 11: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts following a call during the second quarter of their game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on May 11, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) /
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NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
NBA (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

NBA Most Improved Player – Julius Randle

Honorable Mentions: Michael Porter, Jr., Jerami Grant

Quarter-Pole Choice: Jaylen Brown

Halfway Point Choice: Julius Randle

Three-Quarter Pole Choice: Julius Randle

This award has been locked up for a while.  While in years past, this could be chalked up to a New York bias, that is simply not the case anymore. Julius Randle went from a young prospect entering his prime as a likely role player to an All-NBA level leader of a playoff team. He posted career highs in points per game (24.1), rebounds per game (10.2), assists per game (6.0) and 3-point percentage (41.1 percent).

Randle made his first All-Star appearance and should be named to an All-NBA team. This was the hope for Randle when he was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers two teams ago but seeing him reach it in his seventh season is special. He fully deserves this celebration.

Michael Porter Jr. has turned into a different player since Jamal Murray got injured. In just his second season he is averaging 19.0 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. He has turned into a legitimate second option on offense and has become competent on defense. If Murray was healthy this transformation would have been enough to give the Denver Nuggets a chance to win a title.

Jerami Grant cooled off as the season went along but in his first season betting on himself as a number one option he proved all of the doubter wrong. He showed that he can be relied upon to be the leading scorer while also guarding the opponent’s top option.