Iowa City, Iowa (PSF)- The NBA season has quickly reached the midseason point where we can now start to get an idea of what teams are the contenders, pretenders, and those who have a lot of work to do going forward.

Also, we get an idea of who could be competing for the awards down the stretch every midseason. This season has many candidates that deserve these awards, but there can only be one winner, so I decided to come up with my own list.

Most Valuable Player: Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks

Season Statistics: 33.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG, 8.8 APG, 49.8 percent from the field 

At the start of the season, predictions were leaning towards either Luka Doncic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, or Nikola Jokic, and all three are current MVP contenders. However, Doncic has single-handedly won the Dallas Mavericks games scoring 40 or more in nine games this season, keeping them just above .500 at 24-21. Without Doncic, the Mavericks would be playing for Victor Wembanyama.

Rookie of the Year: Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic

Season Statistics: 21.1 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.1 steals (per game), 43 percent from the field

Banchero was the favorite to win Rookie of the Year coming in, and he has proved why he is and should win. He is also averaging 7.8 free throw attempts per game, and let’s not forget. He just turned 20 years old a few months back.

Most Improved Player: Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz

Season Statistics: 24.6 PPG, 8.6 RPG, 1.9 assists, 51 percent from the field

What Lauri Markkanen is doing with the Jazz this season was unexpected, but this is what makes the NBA great—seeing players you never expect to have seasons like this. Markkanen has increased his PPG total from last season by 9.8 points. He was hot to start the year; the next question is whether he can maintain it down the stretch.

Coach of the Year: Jacque Vaughn, Brooklyn Nets

27-16 team record, Fourth in Eastern Conference

The way the Nets started out this season, with Steve Nash firing after starting the season with a 2-5 record and Kyrie Irving’s suspension from the team due to sharing an anti-sematic documentary off Amazon. Since then, Vaughn has the Nets and their star players bought into his system and have a record of 25-10. Brooklyn is ranked fifth in offensive rating and ninth in defensive rating.

Defensive Player of the Year: Nic Claxton, Brooklyn Nets

Season Statistics: 11.9 PPG, 8.5 Rebounds, 1.4 APG, 2.7 BPG, 73.2 percent from the field

Nic Claxton has blossomed into the player Brooklyn has hoped he would after trading Jarrett Allen in the trade package that sent James Harden to Brooklyn in January 2021. Claxton currently leads the NBA in blocks with 2.7 BPG and has been guarding all five positions. He is ranked 2nd in defensive rating at 109.9.

Sixth Man of the Year: Russell Westbrook

Season Statistics: 15.7 PPG, 7.8 APG, 6.6 rebounds, 1 steal (per game), 42.1 percent from the field

Russell Westbrook has taken the role of coming off the bench for the Lakers, who have been battling injuries all season. Westbrook has helped them keep themselves just in range of the play in spots. When Anthony Davis comes back healthy with Lebron James, the Lakers should be fine depending on how they do in these next couple of weeks. Westbrook has played well despite trade speculation around him and the Lakers.