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The NBA regular season is ending on Sunday, and The Post is handing out season-long awards. Just two awards are unanimous, with debate surrounding the other four, and two Knicks have received votes as winners among our hoops crew.MVP
PETER BOTTE: Nikola Jokic, Nuggets
Strong cases can be made for Joel Embiid (76ers) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), but the Joker essentially averaged a triple-double for the top team in the West, earning his third straight MVP.
ZACH BRAZILLER: Joel Embiid, 76ers
It’s the numbers and the improved durability, as Embiid set a career-high in minutes per game at 34.6 while he also averaged an absurd 33.1 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.2 assists and 1.7 blocks.
BRIAN LEWIS: Joel Embiid, 76ers
Regardless of his playing time the last few games, the 76ers star had chased down Nikola Jokic to unseat the two-time reigning champ even before his 52-point, 20-for-25 master class Tuesday in a win over Boston.
MIKE VACCARO: Joel Embiid, 76ers
This was thought to be Nikola Jokic’s to lose, but Embiid took it from him over the last month, and it’s impossible to believe a player has been more valuable to a contender.DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PETER BOTTE: Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
A nod here to long-ago Nets center Brook Lopez (Bucks) for his 2.5 blocks per game, but J.J.J. posted even more, leading the league for the second straight year with 3.0 rejections per appearance.
ZACH BRAZILLER: Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzlies
The league leader in blocks at 3.0, Jackson is one of the sport’s premier rim protectors and was integral in the Grizzlies’ second straight 50-win season.
BRIAN LEWIS: Brook Lopez, Bucks
Both the metrics and the eye test say Jaren Jackson Jr. was the best individual defender, but he missed the first month of the season and Lopez had the more impactful campaign.
MIKE VACCARO: Jaren Jackson Jr., Grizzles
He has helped keep Memphis feisty, even with all the Ja Morant craziness this year, and has been electrifying on the defensive end of the floor.
