NBA – MVP, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year… The time has come to reveal to you my editorial predictions for the end of season trophies.
That’s it, This is the big day ! The 78th NBA season begins today and, for the occasion, we offer you an update on our predictions for the various individual end-of-year trophies.
MVP, Defender of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Progression of the Year, Sixth Man of the Year et Coach of the Year : there is no shortage of contenders for these awards on the starting line, with some obvious candidates but also ballots that are uncertain to say the least.
Remember that the NBA has established from this season a minimum number of matches to be played (65) to be eligible for end-of-year rewards. Which already eliminates Ja Morant from the equation, suspended for the first 25 games of the year.
MVP : Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
Last season, he was already not very far from winning his third MVP title (in a row) and, this season, Nikola Jokic could ride on his first ring and his first Finals MVP title to somehow force voters to offer him another statuette as best player of the regular season. Which would be far from undeserved for the man who is considered, by many, as the current best basketball player on the planet.
To do this, it will obviously be necessary for its Nuggets to remain at least in the Top 3 of the Western Conference and, given the almost complete renewal of their squad crowned NBA champion last spring, we can think that they will settle down once again at the top. Especially if their Serbian “Joker” continues to pile up the statistics with disconcerting ease and if he manages, downright, to achieve a triple-double average. A feat he almost accomplished last season (24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 9.8 assists)…
Competition : Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Jayson Tatum (Celtics)…
The big odds : Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder).
Defender of the Year: Bam Adebayo (Heat)
Always placed but never rewarded, since he has been in the Top 5 of the ballot for four years, Bam Adebayo could benefit from the still very defensive profile of this Heat team and its physical solidity (70 games on average per year since the start of his career) to finally get his hands on this Defender of the Year trophy.
A double NBA finalist, the 26-year-old interior player is slowly but surely maturing and being elected DPOY would finally establish his place among the best defenders of his generation. The competition will be tough, but his importance in Erik Spoelstra’s defensive system, coupled with his knowledge of it, makes him our favorite for these predictions. The same goes for his versatility and consistency in the field.
Competition : Anthony Davis (Lakers), Jaren Jackson Jr. (Grizzlies), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)…
The big odds : Victor Wembanyama (Spurs).
Rookie of the year: Victor Wembanyama (Spurs)
Who else than the generational Victor Wembanyama, as we already seem to be favored by the predictions even before the start of this season? Having landed in what is arguably the best possible environment for his development, the Frenchman will have to shoulder all the pressure he has to bear on his broad shoulders but, as he demonstrated in pre-season, he has not looks very disturbed by all the attention he’s getting.
Good news for “Wemby”: the Rookie of the Year trophy is not affected by the limit of matches to be played, so even if he plays less than 65, he will be able to claim this individual distinction. However, watch out for Scoot Henderson and Chet Holmgren, whose impact in Portland and Oklahoma City will also be observed.
Competition : Scoot Henderson (Blazers), Chet Holmgren (Thunder), Brandon Miller (Hornets), Ausar Thompson (Pistons).
The big odds : Cam Whitmore (Rockets).
Progress of the year: Jordan Poole (Wizards)
Assuming that seven of the last ten MIPs – including the last four – earned their first All-Star selection the season they were elected as the best progression of the year, we presume that Jordan Poole is best placed in the predictions for explode and succeed the surprising Lauri Markkanen.
Having left for Washington after four years of ups and downs with Golden State, the man who is now nicknamed “JP13” will have plenty of time to increase his personal statistics with the Wizards, in the role of a full-time starter. . Like a certain James Harden
at the beginning of the last decade, when he left OKC for Houston…
Competition : Mikal Bridges (Nets), Tyrese Maxey (Sixers), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Evan Mobley (Cavaliers)…
The big odds : Ben Simmons (Nets).
Sixth Man of the Year: Immanuel Quickley (Knicks)
Runner-up to Malcolm Brogdon this year, Immanuel Quickley seems to be starting in pole position to succeed him on the list of best substitute. Already, because his role and his minutes should not diminish under Tom Thibodeau. Then, because he will have to perform with the Knicks to get this juicy contract extension that he missed this fall.
Free electron of the New York franchise, whose attack he has been responsible for dynamiting off the bench for three years now, “IQ” has in any case the profile of the “combo guard” capable of winning this trophy for best sixth man . Provided, however, that his percentages and his statistical production do not drop like during the last playoffs…
Competition : Malik Monk (Kings), Bogdan Bogdanovic (Hawks), Gary Trent Jr. (Raptors), Naz Reid (Wolves)…
The big odds : Chris Paul (Warriors).
Coach of the Year: Michael Malone (Nuggets)
Like Nick Nurse in 2020, the day after the Raptors’ title, Michael Malone could take advantage of his brand new status as NBA champion to recover the trophy for best coach in the league.
For now, he has never done better than third place (2019) but if the Nuggets prance at the top of the West and the NBA, he would inevitably be the favorite of the predictions to succeed Mike Brown , indisputable last season given the stunning performances of the Kings.
It would, as a bonus, be a nice tribute to his father, Brendan, who died at the beginning of the month, as well as a nice revenge for this teacher, long condemned to advance in the shadows, and whose qualities in coaching are finally recognized for their just value.
Competition : Joe Mazzulla (Celtics), Darvin Ham (Lakers), Mark Daigneault (Thunder), Adrian Griffin (Bucks), Frank Vogel (Suns)…
The big odds : Making Udoka (Rockets).
2023-10-24 09:43:47
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