The NBA regular season is off to a very exciting start; although the In-Season Tournament just ended, there is still some time until the playoffs. So, as of right now, who are the players that deserve/should be the favorites of each award?
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR:
First, the Rookie of the Year Award is always one of the least hyped awards, but this year, the race will be close. The #1 draft pick, Victor Wembanyama (Wemby), has thrived and taken serious steps in his first season, putting up 19pts/11rebs, but his percentages on the court need to improve. For example, his 3pt% is 28, while his overall shot percentage is 43%, two numbers that are too low. Although Wemby gets the majority of the attention when he’s on the floor, probably resulting in the low percentages, there is another player who’s been putting up more efficient stats on a winning team. Chet Holmgren has been an essential factor in the Thunder being 2nd in the West, putting up 17pts/8rebs at a very efficient rate. Regardless of the numbers, only one of the players will make the playoffs, so the 2023-2024 Rookie of the Year should be Chet Holmgren.
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER:
Maybe other people are going to try to complicate the winner of the Most Improved Player Award, but I believe it’s an obvious decision: Tyrese Maxey. When James Harden left the 76ers in the offseason, there were a ton of questions as to how they were going to succeed as a team; now, it seems as though the answer has been Maxey, putting up 25pts/7rebs a game. This year, he is being given so much more responsibility, attention, and opportunity, and the young star is thriving. I’m not saying no other player has improved this year, but Maxey’s consistent performances and contribution to his team’s success is my reason as to why he’s my 2023-2024 Most Improved Player of the Year.
COACH OF THE YEAR:
The Coach of the Year Award has always been an odd award for the criteria have always been so inconsistent. One year, the coach on the team with the highest record will get the award; the next, the team’s coach with the biggest improvement; the following year, the award will go to the coach running the team with the youngest stars. Regardless, the coach who so far deserves the award is Chris Finch, the coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves, not only do they have the #1 seed in the very competitive West, but they have made astonishing improvements in regards to chemistry and efficiency. The team last year was a guinea pig, testing out the Gobert/Townes big duo; now, they have the best defense in the NBA and rank 3rd in the entire league in point differential. Although I can also see Mark Daigneault, the coach of the Oklahoma City Thunder, I think Finch will be the 2023-2024 Coach of the Year.
The MVP Award, the Sixth Man Award, and the Defensive Player of the Year Award will be predicted next week, so stay tuned…
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