ROY
Up to 72 debuts in the NBA this year. 3 more this week: Matt Csotello (Spurs), CJ Williams (Clippers), Furkan Korkmaz (Sixers).
Only 1 rookie currently above 30MPG, 15PPG, 9RPG, 7APG, 70 total FTA, 20 total Steals: Ben Simmons (Sixers). (One suggestion: Ben, work on your FT shooting, it's good for developing your jumper and it's where a lot of your points are going to come. You're not fulfilling your full awesomeness til you start knocking down some gimmes)
Lauri Markkanen (Bulls), Dennis Smith (Mavs), Lonzo Ball (Lakers), Jaysun Tatum (Celtics), Donovan Mitchell (Jazz) are having fine seasons and John Collins (Hawks) and Kyle Kuzma (Lakers) are legitimately joining the rookie buzz.
MVP
As of now 5 legit candidates: James Harden (Rockets), DeMarcus Cousins (Pelicans), Lebron James (Cavs), Giannis Antetokounpo (Bucks) and Ben Simmons (Sixers). (Yeah, I said it)
DPOY
Among the league leaders in Defensive Rebounds, Steals and Blocks: DeMarcus Cousins (Pelicans), Andre Drummond (Pistons), Giannis Antetokounpo (Bucks) and Anthony Davis (Pelicans). Throw in Lebron James (Cavs) and Rudy Gobert (Jazz) and that would seem to round out the candidates so far.
6th Man
Kyle Kuzma (Lakers) is a pretty good rebounder off the bench, reliable shooter close to the basket (kinda disappointing 3P% at the moment). Will Barton (Nuggets) is shooting well from 3PT and 2PT (though strangely mediocre from FT), 2:1 Asst:TO rate. Kelly Oubre (Wizards) shoots well off the bench and pretty good rebounder too (though not terribly noteworthy on defense or as a ball handler). Terry Rozier (Celtics), sure handed with the ball, decent rebounder (though not scoring particularly well). Marco Belinelli (Hawks) is tearing it up from 3PT and the FT, excellent Asst:TO, the kind of reliable vet off the bench that every coach dreams of. Tyreke Evans (Grizzlies), shooting at a good % and taking care of the ball. Jonathon Simmons (Magic), more turnovers then you'd like off the bench but scoring well. Lou Williams (Lakers) is shooting well (and not too much!) and handling the ball well, not bad. Cory Joseph (Pacers) is shooting well with a 2:1 asst:to. Combined with Darren Collison, the Pacers are getting really good PG play. James Johnson (Heat) has been one of my favorite players to watch for a few years now and he's still good with the ball and shooting well. Rudy Gay (Spurs) is kinda reminding me of LaMarcus Aldridge with more handle. (Listen: I still think Aldridge is underappreciated in San Antonio and can be the center of the offense and with Gay mimicking him off the bench, I think the Spurs can keep this vibe going all year; though it seems like Dejounte Murray has regressed). TJ McConnell (Sixers) is another one of my favorite players to watch, so much energy, that dude just never stops moving. Solid asst:to but doesn't add a lot of points. Spencer Dinwidder (Nets) still with an impressive 70:14 asst:to. Andre Iguodala (Warriors) has a terrific asst:to, good rebound numbers and is clearly a trusted cog of an amazing machine, but, man, his 3PT shooting is unbelievably awful (4-22, yeech!) and is only averaging 1FTA. Doug McDermott (Knicks) and Kyle Korver (Cavs) have similar numbers and are both shooting really well (indeed, I'd say their success each has a lot to do with their teams' success). McDermott takes too many 2PT shots. Shelvin Mack (Magic) has 70:15 asst:to and double digit steals (not shooting particularly well though). Ish Smith (Pistons) 56:18 and shooting at a good %.
Coach
Brad Stevens (Celtics)
The Celtics are still tops in the East and leading the league in Opponents' PPG thanks to a game plan that works and a rotation that knows what its supposed to do.
Executive
Danny Ainge (Celtics)....hmm, that was easy.
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