Awards Watch: Mid-Season Break

We’re eight rounds into a thrilling NBL season and while some teams and players may have surprised fans so far, what do the major awards look like at this stage? Let’s dive into it. 

As has been mentioned whenever the discussion of MVP rolls around, there are many factors individuals use to decide who they believe should win this award. One thing is for certain, team performance does matter, which hurts players like Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Anthony Lamb at this point of the season. 

Right now there is no debate that Melbourne United are the best team in the competition and have shown that in numerous ways, on their way to a 10-2 start. Their sharpshooter, Chris Goulding, is not only putting up absurd numbers of late, but he’s putting on game-winning displays each and every night. Over his last four games, Goulding has made 25 threes at 43 per cent and averaged 28.5 points. It’s not just the scoring when it comes to a player like this, it’s the timing of his takeovers and the big shots he hits when his team needs it. 

Another player we need to keep an eye on once again is the great Bryce Cotton. Perth are on a five game winning streak and in that span Cotton is averaging 28 points, four rebounds and three assists. It was a slow and inefficient start for the three-time MVP, but as the Wildcats have found their groove, so has Cotton.

Another previous MVP is also having a stellar season but doing it very quietly and that’s Jaylen Adams. It’s no surprise that in Sydney’s seven wins Adams has been spectacular, averaging 19 points, 5.7 assists and 1.3 steals. Much like Goulding and Cotton, it’s the timing of his takeovers that has him in contention for another MVP award at this point in time. 

In the mix
Chris Goulding
Jaylen Adams
Milton Doyle
Bryce Cotton
Alan Williams

For the first time in a long time it feels as though we don’t have any clear cut favourite to win the Damian Martin Trophy. As it stands, the best two defensively rated teams in the competition are Melbourne United and the Cairns Taipans, with a little gap of daylight after that. That’s not to say that the best defensive player can’t come from any other team, but two individuals who lead both these teams on the defensive end are certainly in the conversation.

Both Shea Ili and Bul Kuol are two of the elite defenders we have seen in the NBL over the last few seasons and are both once again causing problems for opposition playmakers. It’s not the stats that make them great, it’s the denial off-ball (sometimes very physical), fighting through screens, contesting shots and diving on the floor. If you want to be the best defensive team in the NBL, you need a player like these two to set the tone.

Speaking of which, Sam McDaniel was another one who has had a really strong start to the season on the defensive end. Justin Schueller has called upon his new signing to lead the charge in that area and his impact has been huge for the Bullets.

One other player who perhaps hasn’t received as much notice in this space is Kristian Doolittle for the Wildcats. In the last five games since the move was made to slide him down to the small forward position, Doolittle has been outstanding in many aspects for Perth. In particular, Doolittle has an advantage physically against many of his opponents and has been doing much of the intangibles described above, and it’s no surprise that the Wildcats have been on a role since. 

In the mix
Shea Ili
Bul Kuol
Sam McDaniel
Kristian Doolittle
Jaylin Galloway

The Most Improved Player is one of the more exciting awards to keep track of as the season continues, because it highlights certain individuals who have made noticeable jumps in production from year to year. If we’re talking straight statistical improvements, then it’s hard to look past Lat Mayen for the Taipans. Mayen has relished an extended opportunity this season for Adam Forde and has been one of their most efficient offensive weapons so far in NBL24. Last season, Mayen averaged 2.9 points, shooting 34 per cent from the floor and 28 per cent from three, and two rebounds per game. So far in 10 games Mayen is putting up 10.3 points, 56.5 per cent from the field and 48.5 per cent from three, to go along with five rebounds. For a team that has been dealing with a lot of injuries early on, Mayen has taken every chance he’s had and made the most of it.

In the previous edition of Award’s Watch, it was mentioned that DJ Vasiljevic would be someone to keep an eye on here as he got more games under his belt for the 36ers. Whilst he’s only played the six games, the improvement is noticeable, especially in fourth quarters when his team needs him to step up. Vasiljevic is currently averaging a career best 19.2 points and three assists per game, and whilst his efficiency numbers are down from previous years, his 20-point second half against the Phoenix is a key indicator of his importance to that team. 

In the mix
Lat Mayen
Luke Travers
Tyrell Harrison
DJ Vasiljevic 
Bul Kuol
Jack McVeigh

This award is always an interesting one to keep track of, because we perhaps won’t have clear picture of who is eligible for it until later in the season.

For example, Melbourne United have been hampered by injuries, which has led to players like Matthew Dellavedova and Ian Clark switching up between bench and starting roles through their 12 games.

Then there’s the case of someone like Tyrell Harrison, who has been phenomenal for Brisbane up to this point. Harrison’s best games have come as a starter when Aron Baynes was out, and whilst he’s still starting, that could change as the season goes on and make him eligible to win this.    

Looking at a couple of players who will very likely be in their bench role for the remainder of the season, it’s worth keeping an eye on Kouat Noi, Lat Mayen and Ben Ayre. All three players have been terrific off the bench for their respective teams and if there are no key injuries going forward, they’ll be leading the charge for their second units.

One other player to highlight here is young gun Alex Toohey. While Toohey has been starting and playing at an elite level, when Jaylin Galloway comes back into this lineup, he could eventually resume his role in the starting group, which would have Toohey a strong chance to have a say in the Best Sixth Man. 

In the mix
Ian Clark
Kouat Noi
Lat Mayen
Finn Delany
Tyrell Harrison
Jonah Bolden

The second time this award will be given out and I’m all on board for the new look rookie of the year. Remember that any player is eligible, as long as they are under 25-years-old by April 30 of the conclusion of the season. 

After the previous edition of this piece, both Luke Travers and Hukporti have continued their strong seasons and it has been a reflection of Melbourne’s success so far. The beauty of this award is that there are many eligible players to win it, which makes for an exciting and competitive race. Other Next Stars such as Alex Sarr and Bobi Klintman have both had numerous games where they’ve not only put their name in this award conversation, but also on the draft boards as they continue to improve week in and week out.

It's been a tough season for the Hawks so far, but Sam Froling has quietly gone about his business, putting up 14 points and nine rebounds per game, with five double-doubles. It seems that whenever the Hawks play well, it’s on the back of a strong production from the 23-year-old. 

In the mix
Luke Travers
Alex Toohey
Alex Sarr
Sam Froling
Ariel Hukporti
Bobi Klintman

It’s no surprise that as of right now the heavy favourite to win this would be Dean Vickerman. Melbourne United are sitting on top of the ladder at 10-2 and have looked every bit the leading contender early on. It’s not so much the wins, but the way they’ve gone about it so far that has been a testament to Vickerman. The ability to juggle a deep roster that has had multiple key players come in and out and still find ways to win showcases just why they sit on top after eight rounds. 

After Vickerman, there are a couple of coaches who have quietly been very strong up to this point and if they can put it all together consistently, they’ll be in the mix and so will their teams. Both Scott Roth and Mahmoud Abdelfattah had shown flashes of how good their teams can be.

It was a slow start to the season for Sydney but as they start to get more comfortable with their new coach's defensive style, things could step up a notch.

In the mix
Dean Vickerman
Justin Schueller
Scott Roth
Mahmoud Abdelfattah