![Cape Cod is a popular tourist destination for Massachusetts residents and enjoy the scenery that the coastal area has to offer. Unfortunately, Cape Cod is being faced with consequences of climate change such as rising sea levels, erosion and a loss of biodiversity. “[My family and I] have been going there since 1984, so we really watched the Cape shrink every year,” lifelong Cape Cod visitor Mary Hicks said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Screenshot-2025-03-13-at-1.35.03 PM.png)
![After the Raider's first goal of the game, scored by senior captain Luke Galizio, the players pile onto the glass by the student section to celebrate, igniting the crowd into a roar. "The atmosphere was incredible, having two towns that both come to support us is amazing," Galizio said. "When [the crowd] started chanting 'Raider nation' it made [the game] feel like it wasn't just one team against another, we had a whole building of fans supporting us."](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/06FBB04E-4C03-408A-B554-FE6C06CE8C08_1_105_c.jpeg)
![The Class of 2025 rushes the stage at the end of senior show. "[Senior show] was super fun, and it was a great way for all of us to come together for the start of senior spring," senior Amelia Lang said.](https://waylandstudentpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/IMG_0522-1200x800.jpg)
With only one month left in the National Basketball Association (NBA) regular season, many things are still up in the air. Awards like Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year don’t have an obvious favorite. Here are our predictions for which players will win significant NBA awards.
Most Valuable Player – Nikola Jokić, Denver Nuggets
Nikola Jokić – the three-time most valuable player (MVP) and reigning back-to-back MVP winner – leads the race this year for the MVP award, and is a player to look out for many years to come. Jokić is one of only nine players to ever win three or more MVPs and you could easily argue that he should have won it a fourth time in 2022 over Joel Embiid. This season, Jokić has been on another level, averaging 28.9 points per game (PPG), 13.0 rebounds per game (RPG), 10.5 assists per game (APG) and 1.8 steals per game (SPG). These stats are the highest that Jokic has averaged per season in his entire career. To put it into perspective, if the season were to end today, Jokic would be the first player in NBA history to rank in the top three for points, rebounds and assists per game. The only other player that comes close to Jokic’s dominance this season is Oklahoma City Thunder player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is having the best season of his career. Right now, Gilgeous Alexander is averaging 32.7 PPG (1st in NBA), 5.1 RPG and 6.2 APG while leading the Thunder to the best record in the Western Conference.
Defensive Player of the Year – Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
The clear favorite for Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) is Cleveland Cavaliers player Evan Mobley. Mobley is having the best season of his young career, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The runaway favorite for DPOY, Victor Wembanyama of The San Antonio Spurs, was averaging just under four blocks per game this season. However, because Wembanyama will miss the rest of the season with thrombosis in his right shoulder, he will not reach the 65-game threshold required for award eligibility. As a result, Mobley, who was the only person remotely close to Wembanyama in the DPOY race, now stands alone with very little competition. This season he is averaging 1.6 blocks and nearly one steal per game. Despite those impressive stats, he’s even more dominant in ways the box score can’t measure. His ability to alter shots makes opponents think twice, limiting them to just 59% shooting in the restricted area.
Most Improved Player – Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
Cade Cunningham is finally having the breakout season Pistons fans have been waiting for. After an abysmal 2024 campaign in which the Pistons finished with a league-worst 14-68 record, Cunningham has turned the franchise around. He is averaging 25.6 PPG, 6.1 RPG, and 9.3 APG while boosting his field-goal percentage to 46.3 and three-point percentage to 36.1. Cunningham’s play has propelled the Pistons to a 37-29 record, placing them sixth in the Eastern Conference. Miami Heat Guard and first-time All-Star Tyler Herro is also in the running, but by the end of the season, expect Cunningham to be lifting the George Mikan trophy in triumph.
Sixth Man of the Year – Payton Pritchard – Boston Celtics
Payton Pritchard has been the best player coming off the bench in the entire NBA, averaging 14 points, 4 assists and 4 rebounds in only 28 minutes. Despite his limited role on a Celtics team loaded with talent, he has made a significant impact whenever he’s on the floor. If Pritchard played for a less talent-filled roster, he’d likely be a starter. We believe he will secure the Sixth Man of the Year award with ease because he is simply too good to be coming off the bench and would start on most other teams. The only other contender is Malik Beasley, although it would be surprising if anyone but Pritchard wins.
Rookie of the Year – Stephon Castle, San Antonio Spurs
This year’s rookie class has looked subpar overall. There have only been a handful of rookies who have lived up to expectations, and the frontrunner for Rookie of the Year is Stephon Castle. He has averaged 13.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.5 assists in just over 25 minutes per game. Although these numbers are not incredibly impressive, no other rookie even comes close to beating out Castle for this award. Although it is early to make predictions on Castle’s future in the league, I think it is safe to say he will notch a few All-Star appearances, even if he isn’t a generational talent.
