NBA Preview Series 2023-24: Awards Picks
NOTES:
These represent my predictions for who will win awards this year, not necessarily who I think should.
New rule being instituted by NBA this season:
I expect this to have a big impact and make a sizable number of players ineligible for postseason awards
QUICK HITS:
All-NBA:
I’m expecting Embiid, Curry and Butler to be right on the edge of the 65 games threshold
Here’s a list of a few other players I considered but ultimately left off, either partially or entirely because I’m not confident they will make it to 65 games
Kawhi Leonard
Kevin Durant
Anthony Davis
LeBron James
Zion Williamson
Paul George
Kyrie Irving
Tyrese Haliburton vs. Donovan Mitchell for the last guard spot was my toughest call - ultimately I went Mitchell because I believe the Cavs will have more team success (traditionally important with voters), even though I personally am projecting a better year from Haliburton
All-Defense/DPOY:
Caruso is the best defensive guard in the NBA, and he makes 1st team for a second consecutive year despite coming off the bench for the majority of his games
Mobley and Jackson Jr. continue what will likely be an annual battle for DPOY, and both Cleveland and Memphis finish the year with top 5 defenses
MVP:
Jokic dominates the league for a 4th consecutive season and gets rewarded after being snubbed a year ago
Antetokounmpo has his most efficient scoring season in years thanks to new teammate Damian Lillard drawing heavy defensive attention
Embiid gets credit for keeping an otherwise tumultuous Sixers season on track
MIP:
Bridges is the chalk pick, but I have him earning an All-NBA nod in his first full season in Brooklyn
Jalen Green is my dark horse - I think there’s a chance he takes off with more stability around him in Houston this season
6MOY:
Another chalk pick, but Quickley is set up to captain what should be an excellent second unit for the Knicks
COY:
By nature, this is a difficult award to predict because it usually goes to whichever coach is at the helm of the NBA’s most surprising team
I think Minnesota has a decent chance to have a 2022-23 Sacramento-esque breakthrough this season
ROY/All-Rookie:
As long as Wembanyama stays healthy, it’s going to be nearly impossible to pry ROY away from him - even still, I expect both Henderson and Holmgren to have really good years
I’m expecting both Jaquez and Strawther to get a bump from earning consistent rotation minutes on good teams
All-Star:
The Western conference backcourt battle is brutal - leaving off Desmond Bane was my hardest decision
EOY:
Three teams that I expect to be very good made extremely notable offseason moves - this was a pretty easy run out for me