As the NBA 2023/24 season reaches its midpoint, with most teams having played around 40 games, it’s the perfect time to make predictions about individual awards. If the season were to end now, who would be the MVP, Rookie of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and other award winners? The Sporting News provides its picks.
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Most Valuable Player (MVP): Nikola Jokic – Denver Nuggets The MVP award undoubtedly belongs to Nikola Jokic. With an average of 25.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, the Serbian center is on the verge of a triple-double every night, effortlessly making passes reminiscent of Wilt Chamberlain. Jokic’s outstanding performance against the Pistons, with 16 assists and 5 blocks in just 25 minutes, showcased his brilliance.
Jokic seems unfazed by the MVP race, as evidenced by his slow finish in the previous season, allowing Joel Embiid to take the lead. However, this setback was a necessary step for Jokic to shine in the playoffs, leading the Nuggets to their first championship in franchise history.
Following Jokic, we choose Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. They are the most progressive team this season, and Gilgeous-Alexander is the driving force behind their improvement, leading the NBA in breakaways and steals. The former Los Angeles Clippers player’s style of play has captivated audiences.
Embiid has had an exceptional season in his own right. Statistically, he may even be deserving of the top spot. However, the Philadelphia 76ers’ star has missed 9 games, and it’s likely that the Cameroonian center won’t reach the required 65 games to qualify for the award.
Rookie of the Year: Chet Holmgren – Oklahoma City Thunder While Victor Wembanyama is also worthy of this title, Holmgren is having a historic rookie season. Regarded as the most outstanding rookie shooter in NBA history, he boasts a remarkable 55% shooting accuracy and 40% from beyond the three-point line.
Holmgren is not just a pure shooter; he’s a technically skilled player with superior ball-handling and driving abilities. The Thunder rookie also excels as a passer in Coach Mark Daigneault’s system.
What makes Holmgren even more impressive is his defensive prowess, averaging 2.5 blocks per game, ranking fourth in the league. His contributions have propelled the Thunder into the top 5 in defensive rankings. Holmgren is playing at an All-Star level in his rookie season.
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert – Minnesota Timberwolves Gobert has transformed his game this season, providing an effective solution for the Timberwolves’ dual-big-man system with Karl Anthony Towns. The Timberwolves boast the league’s best defense, and the French center is the linchpin of that system.
Gobert has returned to his elite defensive form. Opponents shoot over 14.8% worse when facing Gobert, ranking him 96th in the league. He leads in defense, ranks seventh with 2.1 blocks per game, and is fifth with 309 defensive rebounds. Gobert’s improvement in perimeter defense is noticeable, a significant progression from previous seasons.
Alongside Gobert, other candidates include Anthony Davis of the Lakers, Holmgren of the OKC Thunder, and Wembanyama of the Spurs.
Most Improved Player: Tyrese Maxey – Philadelphia 76ers With James Harden departing early in the season, the 76ers did not regret it, as Maxey made significant strides. He increased his scoring average from 20.3 to 26.2 points per game, nearly doubling his assists from 3.5 to 6.7, remaining an efficient scorer. Maxey is proving himself as a worthy second star for Philadelphia after Embiid, deserving of his first All-Star appearance.
Sixth Man of the Year: Bogdan Bogdanovic – Atlanta Hawks This award typically goes to outstanding bench shooters, but this season is an exception. That distinction belongs to Bogdanovic, who averages 17.6 points in just 28.3 minutes per game. Despite having the skills to start for most teams, he accepts a reserve role behind Trae Young and Dejounte Murray in Atlanta.
Bogdanovic is an excellent three-point shooter and can also execute drives to create open spaces for teammates. The Serbian player is also a good playmaker, averaging 2.7 assists per game. His only weakness is a less stellar defensive capability.
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault – OKC Thunder No coach has been more innovative than Daigneault this season, completely transforming the Thunder. Oklahoma boasts a creative offensive approach, utilizing effective ball movement, individual breakthroughs, and efficient cutting, making opponents struggle to find ways to counter.
The Thunder’s defense is equally impressive this season, breaking some fundamental rules of NBA basketball, such as not exploiting the width of the court with corner shooters. Thunder shows no hesitation in switching across the court. Daigneault implements unique adjustments, like using the 6’6″ Kenrich Williams as a center in small-ball lineups.
Daigneault is also superior tactically, rarely failing when calling challenges and being one of the few coaches willing to use them early in the game. He is among the top call-call coaches in the league. The 38-year-old coach makes precise decisions, making the Thunder one of the best teams in late-game situations. He is unafraid to make multiple adjustments during a game if necessary.
Daigneault is an explosive coach who breaks every rule, making him stand out. He has turned the Thunder into a top team in the league, and the award is recognition of his achievements.
