Rookie of the Year: Andrew Wiggins
In a rookie class that has been hampered by injuries, Wiggins received tough competition from his successors in the draft at the start of the season. Since then, he has performed above and beyond those that have remained healthy. Wiggins is leading all rookies in scoring, averaging 15.2 points per game. On a struggling Minnesota Timberwolves team, Wiggins is also leading the class of 2014 in minutes, one of just two rookies playing more than 30 minutes per game. Both his minutes played and scoring are also team-highs. The number-one overall pick in the draft recently set a new career high, dropping 31 points against the Denver Nuggets. Wiggins's rebounding has also been solid and will likely increase with development. His play-making ability has not taken a step backwards either, as he continues to elevate and play above the rim at the NBA level. Health has not been a strongpoint for many rookies, but Wiggins has missed just one game in his young career and is the midseason selection for Rookie of the Year.
Receiving votes: Nerlens Noel, Marcus Smart, Elfrid Payton, Jabari Parker
Most Improved Player: Giannis Antetokounmpo
Antetokounmpo showed signs of real talent last season, but only started 23 games for the Milwaukee Bucks. Now, in his second year in the league, Antetokounmpo has already started 30 of the Bucks' 40 games and has nearly doubled his scoring average. His 11.8 points per game is third on the team and his size and rebounding ability have created mismatches for opposing teams. With virtually the same roster as last season, the Bucks have shot up the standings, largely a result of Antetokounmpo's improvements. Since the injury to Jabari Parker, Antetokounmpo's minutes and production have increased simultaneously. The 20 year-old has thrived in the absence of the 2014 second overall pick and is the midseason favorite for Most Improved Player.
Receiving votes: Jimmy Butler, Klay Thompson
Sixth man: Isaiah Thomas
The Phoenix Suns have received plenty of attention for having multiple guards who have played well enough to start for other teams. Yet, they have selfishly kept each guard on the roster and have proven that it can be successful. Unfortunately, someone has to ride the pine and, for the entirety of the 2014-2015 season, that person has been Isaiah Thomas. Thomas is the only guard on the roster who has played more than 20 games without starting once. Serving as a primary backup to Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe, Thomas has been a huge concern for opposing teams' secondary guards. While his scoring average has dipped since coming over from the Sacramento Kings and moving to the bench, the fourth-year point guard has received a heavy load of minutes. The biggest benefit to that, of course, has been providing insurance in relieving Dragic and Bledsoe, which makes Thomas a sure favorite for the Sixth Man Award.
Receiving votes: Taj Gibson, Reggie Jackson
Defensive Player of the Year: Anthony Davis
Having an incredible offensive year, Davis has also been a huge presence for the New Orleans Pelicans defensively. He is one of the premier big men in the league and creates a mismatch for most counterparts, while protecting the rim from guards foolish enough to drive into the paint. The former first overall pick is leading the NBA in blocks with nearly three in every contest. In his third year in the league, Davis has shown similarities to a young Dwight Howard, also a midseason Defensive Player of the Year candidate. More agile than Howard or Shaquille O'Neal, the former Kentucky Wildcat has the potential to be one of the best defensive big men in the league for the foreseeable future. He is a clear favorite for Defensive Player of the Year halfway through the season.
Receiving votes: Dwight Howard, Marc Gasol, Joakim Noah, Serge Ibaka
Coach of Year: Mike Budenholzer
The Atlanta Hawks soared onto the scene at the beginning of December. With a record of 7-6, Mike Budenholzer led his group to 17 wins in the next 19 games. The Hawks are currently amidst a 13-game winning streak and do not show any signs of slowing down. The story here is Budenholzer has done a lot with a little. A roster lacking superstardom, the Hawks have built their success around good team basketball with recognizable, yet undervalued talents. The emergence of Paul Millsap and return of Al Horford have been key to their success, while a bench littered with "no-names" are beginning to prove themselves. In his second year at head coach, Budenholzer's success blindsided the NBA world, making him a favorite for midseason Coach of the Year. With a nearly identical roster to last season, he has figured out the formula to success that has the Hawks as a strong favorite to win the Eastern Conference.
Receiving votes: Steve Kerr, Terry Stotts
MVP: LeBron James
On a team that has struggled to maintain a winning record, James has continued to do his thing, even while battling injuries and missing extended time-a rarity for his career. Once a favorite to win the NBA title, the Cleveland Cavaliers are currently behind the Milwaukee Bucks in the standings at 22-20, largely a part of James's absence. Over the nine games that James missed, the Cavaliers lost eight and surrendered over 100 points on nearly every occasion. Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love have not been the players the Cavs hoped for this season and James has been responsible for the majority of the scoring. LBJ is second in the league in scoring, averaging 26 points per game. He leads the Cavaliers in assists per game (7.4), while averaging 5.5 rebounds per game. The four-time MVP is, by far, the midseason favorite to regain the throne at season's end.
Receiving votes: James Harden, Anthony Davis