NBA AWARD RACE.
BASKETBALL, BY THE NUMBERS.
OUR FORMULAS. OUR RANKINGS.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

THEFORMULAS.

Make the inputs visible.
Let the numbers do the talking.

2025–26 MODEL EDITION
A score is a recipe.
These are the ingredients.

Every contender goes through the same calculation for an award. The score combines individual production, efficiency, availability, and relevant team context. Rankings update when the formula or its inputs change.

01

Gather the inputs.

Regular-season statistics from the selected season. Each award uses its own candidate pool.

02

Apply the weights.

Multiply each input by its listed weight and add the terms. The equation explains which inputs use percentiles or standardized values.

03

Rank the scores.

The ten highest scores form our ballot. Scores are specific to an award, and are not winning probabilities.

z(x) = (x − mean) / standard deviation

Think of z(x) as a common ruler. A score of +1 means that input is one standard deviation above the candidate average. Rebounds and shooting efficiency can then be combined without their different units dominating the result.

MVP

Most Valuable Player

Production, efficiency, availability, and team performance. One formula for every season.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

88 CANDIDATES15 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
Michael Jordan TrophyMichael Jordan Trophy

InputWeightRelative coefficient magnitude
Points per gamepts_per_game+1.0000
Rebounds per gametrb_per_game+6.2250
Assists per gameast_per_game+13.8170
Steals per gamestl_per_game+7.9370
Blocks per gameblk_per_game+10.8400
Turnovers per gametov_per_game-5.2000
True shootingtrue_shooting+270.4990
Games / team gamesavailability+163.0960
Team wins per 82 gameswins82+6.1520
Free throws made per gameft_per_game+29.2230
Free throw attempt ratefree_throw_rate-306.8510
Team possessions per 48 minutespace+4.4860
Minutes per gamemp_per_game-5.6000
Three-pointers made percentagex3p_pct-59.1560
Team points per 100 possessionsteam_off_rating-4.6060

Weights are shown to four decimal places. Rankings use full precision from the downloadable model data. Raw-input coefficients have different units; bar lengths do not measure relative importance.

MVP · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
DPOY

Defensive Player of the Year

Defensive activity, team defense, and time on the floor. The other side of the game.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

88 CANDIDATES31 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
Hakeem Olajuwon TrophyHakeem Olajuwon Trophy

DPOY · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
ROY

Rookie of the Year

The first-year class, measured by production, efficiency, and impact.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

103 CANDIDATES10 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
Wilt Chamberlain TrophyWilt Chamberlain Trophy

ROY · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
COY

Coach of the Year

Team performance and year-over-year change, from the sideline.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

32 CANDIDATES36 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
Red Auerbach TrophyRed Auerbach Trophy

COY · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
MIP

Most Improved Player

The biggest leaps. Current production meets individual improvement.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

84 CANDIDATES39 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
George Mikan TrophyGeorge Mikan Trophy

MIP · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
6MOY

Sixth Man of the Year

Starting on the bench. Changing the game. The formula ranks the reserve rotation.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

Multiply each input by its saved weight, then add all terms. Inputs include direct statistics and, where specified, within-season percentiles. Higher scores rank first.

385 CANDIDATES14 INPUTSFIXED WEIGHTS
John Havlicek TrophyJohn Havlicek Trophy

6MOY · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
CPOY

Clutch Player of the Year

When the margin is five or fewer, and the clock is under five. Every basket counts.

THE EQUATION
Score = Σ weight × input

The score counts made field goals in clutch situations. Highest total ranks first. Equal totals share the same rank.

492 CANDIDATES1 INPUTFIXED WEIGHTS
Jerry West TrophyJerry West Trophy

CPOY · fixed formula · AWARD RANKINGSee the top ten
POWER

Power Rankings

Every team runs through the same regular-season equation.

THE EQUATION
Power = Σ weight × percentile term

Regular-season statistics only. p(stat) = (average rank among that season’s teams − 1) / (team count − 1). Each term multiplies its listed percentiles. Higher total score ranks first.

17 TERMSREGULAR-SEASON INPUTSONE SET OF WEIGHTS

Download the equation See the rankings

READING THE MODEL

OPEN THE NOTEBOOK

The exact numbers. Yours to explore.

DOWNLOAD MODEL DATA