A Complete Guide to the NBA 2021 Awards Winners and Finalists
2025-11-12 12:00
Let me tell you, as someone who's been following the NBA religiously since the Jordan era, the 2021 awards season felt particularly special coming off that bizarre pandemic season. I still remember watching Nikola Jokić receive his MVP trophy thinking - this guy completely redefined what's possible for a center in modern basketball. The Denver Nuggets big man didn't just win the award; he dominated the conversation with stats that still make my head spin - 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game while shooting 56% from the field. What amazed me personally was how he maintained that incredible production despite the shortened offseason and COVID protocols.
The coaching philosophy that really stood out to me this season was how several teams managed player focus amid unprecedented challenges. I'm reminded of that statement from the Philippine women's football team about minimizing distractions during training periods - and honestly, that same principle applied beautifully to NBA success stories last season. Look at the Utah Jazz, who secured the league's best record at 52-20. Their coaching staff created what I'd call a "distraction-free bubble" within their facility, focusing players on systematic execution rather than external noise. Quin Snyder's approach reminded me that sometimes the simplest coaching philosophies - eliminate distractions, emphasize fundamentals - produce the most remarkable results.
When we talk about the MVP race, I'll admit I had my personal favorite in Joel Embiid - his dominance in the paint was something we haven't seen since Shaq's prime - but Jokić's consistency through Denver's injury woes was undeniable. The Serbian big man played all 72 games while Embiid missed 21, and that availability factor ultimately made the difference. Stephen Curry finished third after that insane April where he averaged 37 points and basically carried the Warriors single-handedly - I haven't seen such individual offensive brilliance since Kobe's prime.
The Defensive Player of Year race brought me genuine excitement - Rudy Gobert winning his third award felt both deserved and somewhat controversial. Personally, I thought Ben Simmons deserved stronger consideration given how he transformed Philadelphia's defense, but Gobert's impact metrics were off the charts - Utah's defense improved by 8.7 points per 100 possessions when he was on the court. What impressed me most was how he anchored the league's third-ranked defense while essentially covering for multiple subpar perimeter defenders.
Now, the Rookie of Year race was particularly fascinating to me because LaMelo Ball just brought something different to Charlotte - that flashy passing and court vision we haven't seen since early Jason Williams. His 15.7 points, 5.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists don't fully capture how he transformed the Hornets' offensive identity. Anthony Edwards finished second, and I'll confess I initially underestimated his potential - but that 42-point explosion against Phoenix made me a believer. His athleticism is just generational.
The Most Improved Player award went to Julius Randle, and honestly, this was the selection that made me happiest. Having watched his inconsistent years with the Lakers, seeing him average 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, and 6.0 assists while leading New York to their first playoff appearance since 2013 felt like witnessing a player completely reinvent himself. His three-point percentage jumping from 27% to 41% might be one of the most dramatic shooting improvements I've ever seen.
The coaching awards highlighted what I consider the most underappreciated aspect of NBA success - creating environments where players can focus purely on basketball. Tom Thibodeau winning Coach of the Year with the Knicks exemplified this perfectly. He established what veterans later told me was the most structured, distraction-free environment they'd experienced - reminding me again of that football coaching philosophy about optimizing performance through focus. Monty Williams finishing second after Phoenix's incredible turnaround demonstrated similar principles - creating consistency amid chaos.
What struck me about the 2021 season was how the most successful teams and players mastered mental focus amid unprecedented challenges. The best organizations created what I'd call "focus sanctuaries" - practice facilities and team environments specifically designed to eliminate external noise. This approach directly mirrored that football coaching philosophy about minimizing distractions, and the results spoke for themselves. Teams that maintained this disciplined approach - Utah, Phoenix, New York - consistently outperformed expectations.
Looking back, the 2021 awards season taught me that individual brilliance often stems from organizational excellence in creating the right environment. The winners weren't just the most talented players, but those who operated in systems that maximized their focus and minimized distractions. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over two decades, I've come to believe that the difference between good and great often comes down to these subtle environmental factors - the very principles that championship programs across sports have embraced for years.
Heather Bolton Suber ’02
Leah Schnell ’01
Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93
Dr. Ralph Swearngin
Point University will induct four members into the Athletics Hall of Fame during a luncheon on Friday, October 24, during Homecoming weekend.
The class of 2025 includes Leah Schnell ’01, Heather Bolton Suber ’02, Dr. Ralph Swearngin and Sarah Grimes Wiggins ’93. The Athletics Hall of Fame was launched in May 2024, when six inaugural members were inducted.
“We look forward to honoring the second Hall of Fame class during Homecoming,” said Jaunelle White, vice president of intercollegiate athletics and chief student development officer. “It’s always a great feeling to have our alumni back on campus mingling with our current student-athletes and coaches. These individuals were elite during their time at Atlanta Christian College and deserve to be recognized.”
Schnell attended Atlanta Christian College from 1998 to 2001, where she earned a degree in business while competing in both basketball and volleyball. On the basketball court, she earned First Team All-Conference, Scholar Athlete, and First Team All-American honors for three consecutive years. Schnell also held the title of all-time leading scorer from 1998-2001. She now thrives as a commercial construction project manager at Barnsley Construction Group and as an entrepreneur.
Suber, from Havana, Florida, attended ACC from 1998 to 2002. A dedicated two-sport athlete, she earned numerous accolades, including First Team All-Conference, Second Team All-Conference, Honorable Mention and First Team All-American. One of her most memorable achievements came when she made eleven three-pointers in a single game. Suber graduated with a degree in early childhood education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education and a specialist degree in instructional technology. For over 23 years, she has served as an educator.
Swearngin has had a distinguished career in education, athletics and ministry spanning several decades, including 20 years at ACC in roles such as professor, dean of students, athletics director and coach. He held national leadership positions with the NCCAA, served as a trustee of Point University for over 10 years, and worked extensively in ministry and education in California, earning degrees from Whittier College and Georgia State University. His athletic involvement includes 23 years as a high school football official in California and Georgia, 22 years with the Georgia High School Association — retiring as executive director in 2014 — and service on national football and softball rules committees. Honored with multiple Hall of Fame inductions and the Atlanta Falcons Lifetime Achievement Award, Swearngin has authored two books and remains active in retirement through preaching and leading Bible studies, alongside his wife of 58 years, Evelyn.
Wiggins grew up in Roswell, Georgia, where she began playing basketball at the age of ten. After two years at Florida State University, she transferred to ACC in 1990. While at ACC, Wiggins was named to the All-American team in both 1991 and 1992. In her final year, she led her team in scoring, helping them finish second in the nation, and was named national MVP in 1992. She earned a bachelor of science in elementary education in 1993 and later received a master’s degree in technology and media sciences from Georgia Southern University in 2009. For the past 33 years, Wiggins has worked as a dedicated educator. In 1997, she married Todd Wiggins. Together, they have two children, Preston, 26, and Logan, 22.
