The NBA regular season is wrapping up this Sunday as teams put up their last efforts before playoff time. All of the talk will be about playoffs and who is going to hoist the Larry O’Brien Trophy at the end of the season, but before we shift all focus on that, we need to honor the greatness that was shown in this regular season.
So many wonderful things happened this season whether it was Bam Adebayo dropping 83 points against the Wizards, or Victor Wembanyama emerging as the face of the league. Giving out awards is a great way to honor who has achieved excellence this past NBA season. The NBA gives out awards every year, but I like to give out my own awards that are more creatively drawn out than what the NBA hands out. So before the end of the year, allow me to hand out the first ever Hoosier Network, random NBA awards.
Rules
The NBA is running into a current problem, which is that they set a 65-game rule for NBA postseason awards. I will not have this restraint, as then we will lose some legitimate award candidates. The final rule will be that there can be only one winner, but that winner doesn’t need to be a player, it can also be a coach, a GM or just an entire organization if I deem it necessary.
The Effortlessly Great Award
Winner: Nikola Jokic
An award that was made specifically for Jokic, as he continues to be the best player in the NBA, without seeming to care about the sport. It seems that he would rather just be home with his horses and family back in Serbia, but while not caring, he still puts up a triple-double a game. He is a top five offensive mind ever, and has proven it year in and out. He is the clear and obvious winner.
Hoosier of the Year Award
Winner: Desmond Bane
Bane (Richmond) edged out both Michael Porter Jr. (Indianapolis) and Darius Garland (Gary) to win his first Hoosier of the Year award. He averaged 20.5 points per game for the Orlando Magic this season. He beats out Porter Jr. due to shooting with more efficiency and competing on a stronger team. Garland put up solid numbers, but ultimately lost the award because he didn’t play enough games.
Terrifyingly Tall Trophy
Winner: Victor Wembanyama
This award will annually go to the player that terrifies the league and quite honestly, me, with his height. Wembanyama doesn’t look like he is from earth, and it’s scary. He has had a top three MVP season this year for the Spurs, and is also the best defensive presence in the league. It is near impossible to shoot above him, as his height and arm span is just simply out of this world long.
Out With an Achilles Tear Award
Winner: Tyrese Haliburton
Tyrese won this award after a long fight with Jayson Tatum for the award. Haliburton won it at the buzzer, per usual, as Tatum came back from his injury and is no longer eligible. Haliburton tore his Achilles in game seven of the NBA Finals last year, and made sure not to return this season in order to lock up the award.
Free Throw Merchant Award
Winner: Luka Doncic
This award goes to whoever shot the most free throws per game, which this year was Doncic, with an average of 10.1 per game, beating out Deni Avdija (9.4) Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (9.1). Luka also had a great year with the Lakers as he claimed the scoring title with 33.5 points per game.
Robin Award
Winner: Jamal Murray
This award goes to the best sidekick of the year. Jamal Murray was an elite Robin all season long, to the Batman that is Jokic. Murray averaged 25.4 points, 7.2 assists and 4.4 rebounds per game, on a top three team in the Western Conference.
Scored 83 Points on March 10, 2026 Award
Winner: Bam Adebayo
Bam Adebayo won this prestigious award with his 83-point performance against the Washington Wizards on March 10, 2026. Adebayo wins this award, which is the second most prestigious award after the “Scored 100 points on March 2, 1962” award, but slotted above the “Scored 81 points on Jan. 22, 2006” award.
Gave up 83 Points to Bam Adebayo Award
Winner: Washington Wizards
The Wizards won this award after giving up 83 points to Bam Adebayo on March 10, 2026. This honor, if you can call it that, is to remember the soldiers we lost along the way to Bam dropping 83 points.
Wrap up
This concludes the 2025-26 NBA Hoosier Network random awards. These prestigious awards, while wacky, are a very important part of remembering the history of this season. There are so many things that happen every NBA season, so we have to honor some things, that way we don’t forget about the greatness that has happened this past season.
