Halfway through the season, it is time to take stock of the trophy that is generally the most complex to award, as everyone has different expectations and criteria for awarding it: that of MIP. After Lauri Markkanen’s coronation and with forty matches remaining, here are the 7 players who are still in the conversation in our eyes.
Jalen Johnson (Atlanta Hawks) – 3rd season in the NBA
Current stats: 15 points, 8.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 57.7% shooting, 40.3% from 3 points, 31.8 minutes/game
Last season: 5.6 points, 4 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 49%, 28.8% at 3 pts, 14.9 minutes/game
The general public doesn’t know him yet, but it won’t be long before he does. Johnson is assuring Hawks fans of a safe, successful player for years to come, regardless of what happens to Trae Young and the current draft. Statistically, “JJ” is the player whose production and playing time have taken off the most from one season to the next. We now see all the strings to his bow and what he is likely to be able to do with them in the future at position 3. The former Duke offers a cocktail of confidence in his abilities, physical skills and versatility which allow him to show a better face evening after evening. His progress does not yet allow the Hawks to emerge from the soft underbelly, but his rating is growing. His injury at the start of the season hurt Atlanta, but by playing one match after another he will be able to play the role of an outsider in the race for the MIP.
Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia Sixers) – 4th season in the NBA
Current stats: 26.1 points, 6.6 assists, 3.6 rebounds, 45.1% shooting, 38.4% from 3 points, 37.4 minutes/game
Last season: 20.3 points, 3.5 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 48.1% shooting, 43.4% from 3 points, 33.6 minutes/game
The bookmakers’ favorite at the moment. Since the start of the season, Tyrese Maxey has taken on increased responsibilities due to the departure of James Harden and has assumed them with even more success than could be hoped. In addition to the Embiid steamroller, the former Kentucky player is extremely reliable and has clearly reached the All-Star level. He should also soon celebrate his first selection, as a reward for his 6 more points per match compared to last year, with almost double the number of assists. The shots he now has to take are more complex and opposing defenses have started to watch him like milk on fire, but Maxey is handling it very well and deserves credit for the Sixers’ 3rd place finish at the halfway point. .
Alperen Sengun (Houston Rockets) – 3rd season in the NBA
Current stats : 21.6 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 53.9% shooting, 32 minutes/game
Last season: 14.8 points, 9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, 55.3% shooting, 28.9 minutes/game
It is unfair to ask a young player to take the same path as Nikola Jokic to one day fly at the same altitude as him. But if Alperen Sengun so often hears the comparison with the Nuggets superstar, it is because he has the talent and the mentality that reasonably promise him a bright future in the NBA. Regardless of whether or not he approaches the level of the Joker one day, the Turk has everything to be the hub of the Rockets and his rise to power this season is a strong sign. Now that the game passes more through him and that he is no longer limited by shameless tanking, Sengun can deploy his range of scorer and playmaker with terrifying potential. Here he is with 7 more points per game, a number of assists also on the rise and the feeling that this is the starting point of something big. Definitely a candidate for the MIP title.
Ep #127: Heat, Knicks, Jazz, Cavs, NOLA, the revenge of the unloved
Tyrese Haliburton (Indiana Pacers) – 4th season in the NBA
Current stats: 23.6 points, 12.5 assists, 4.2 rebounds, 49.7% shooting, 40.3% from 3 points, 33.4 minutes/game
Last season: 20.7 points, 10.4 assists, 3.7 rebounds, 49% shooting, 40% 3-point range, 33.6 minutes/game
If Tyrese Haliburton is on this list even though he is probably in the top 10 candidates for MVP, it is because his status has changed this season. Thanks to his prowess, notably his ability to distribute caviar by the shovel without losing a lot of balls, but also to take responsibility for scoring when necessary, the leader of the Pacers is guiding his team to the playoffs, or at least at the play-in tournament. He quite simply went from All-Star status (admittedly replacing an injured player) to that of a star, this breed of players who can carry a franchise on their back and make it competitive. Prince Hali (copyright Benjamin Moubèche) scores more (+3 points per match), is above 12 passes on average and continues to be incredibly skillful up close and far (40% at 3 pts). Ja Morant had a similar candidate profile two years ago and won.
Coby White (Chicago Bulls) – 5th season in the NBA
Current stats: 18.5 points, 4.9 assists, 4.4 rebounds, 45.2% shooting, 40.2% 3-point range, 35.5 minutes/game
Last season: 9.7 points, 2.8 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 44.3% shooting, 37.2% 3-point range, 23.4 minutes/game
This is perhaps the least expected progression of the season. We had somewhat given up on seeing Coby White become a consistent player in the NBA, with this idea that he could never be more than a microwave-style 6th man. It is clear that the redistribution of the cards and Zach LaVine’s injury allowed him to flourish and show a much more attractive and stable face. By gaining around ten minutes per match, White has doubled his scoring production, while improving his skill, particularly at 3 points, where he is above 40% mid-season. He is obviously doing all this within a team on the verge of a facelift and below its targets, but that does not affect his claims and the indisputable fact that he has progressed and continues to do so.
Scottie Barnes (Toronto Raptors) – 3rd season in the NBA
Current stats: 20.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 47.9% shooting, 37.8% 3-point range, 35.1 minutes/game
Last season: 15.3 points, 6.6 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 45.6% shooting, 28.1% from 3 points, 34.8 minutes/game
After giving the impression of stagnating last season after his Rookie of the Year title, Barnes has resumed his march forward and is today the cornerstone of the Raptors project. With the probable departure of Pascal Siakam, Masai Ujiri is counting on his young all-purpose winger to get Toronto off on the right foot. Scottie Barnes is productive in finishing and creation (above 20 points and 5 assists), but also in rebounding (more than 8 per game), with an ability to take charge of the game and behave in number one that we hadn’t really seen until then. If everything goes as the Raptors plan, they have one of the most complete players in the NBA on hand for years to come. In terms of statistical progression (see above), the numbers and percentages speak for themselves.
Derrick White (Boston Celtics) – 7e saison en NBA
Current stats: 15.9 points, 4.9 assists, 3.9 rebounds at 47% shooting, 41.2% at 3 points, 32 minutes/game
Last season: 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, 3.6 rebounds at 46.2%, 38.1% at 3 points, 28.3 minutes/game
The Celtics guard is a bit of an anomaly on this list. He is playing his 7th season in the NBA at the age of 29 and finds himself in the middle of a pack of young guns who want to win the MIP. If he were to win, he would immediately become the second older player to lift the trophy, behind Darrell Armstrong in 1999 (30 years old). Statistically, the former Spur will not lift the voters to the ceiling. On the other hand, this is probably the season where the general public learned to discover this monster of versatility, elite defender, competent playmaker and decisive scorer when the situation requires it. He’s unlikely to win, but he’s taken a major step forward in terms of his importance to the team and to people around the league.
2024-01-16 14:55:00
#candidates #succeed #Lauri #Markkanen
