The NBA is near their midseason mark in terms of games played. There are already a ton of intriguing storylines and games. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of the awards that would be handed out if the season ended today.
MVP: Joel Embiid HM: Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant
The reigning MVP is currently on-track to repeat winning the award again for the 2023-2024 NBA season. According to Vegas Insider, Joel Embiid is the betting favorite no matter where you look at for the year, and for good reason. Embiid is averaging 36.1 points per game, first in the league, along with nearly 12 boards, six assists, and 1.9 blocks from ESPN. He has also led the Sixers to a 29-13 record this year, and had a 70-point performance against the Spurs on January 22nd. The center from Cameroon is well on his way to a legendary mark of two league MVP awards.
Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama HM: Chet Holmgren
The Rookie of the Year race has boiled down to two candidates, both with special skill sets and talent for their extreme height. However, Victor Wembanyama is the choice here as his raw numbers are better than Chet Holmgrens. Chet may have the efficiency, but is helped massively by his team. No knock on him, but he gets less attention and more looks that Wembanyama doesn’t have the luxury of having. Both are amazing players and future stars of the league but Wembanyama would win the award as of now with 20.4 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 blocks per contest, per ESPN.
Coach of the Year: Mark Daigneault-Thunder, HM: Joe Mauzlla, Nick Nurse
The Oklahoma City Thunder are an exciting young team in the NBA. They have a record of 32 wins and 13 losses as they sit atop the Western Conference. A huge part of that is the coach that sat through the bad years of the rebuild with OKC. The young guys like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jaylen Williams, Chet Holmgren, and Cason Wallace put their faith in him and he has been the captain of a well-oiled machine that may be one of the most fun teams to watch in the league right now. The Celtics look awesome and the Sixers are a contender, but Daigneault would take the award if the year ended today.
Most Improved Player: Alpren Sengun HM: Tyrese Haliburton, Tyrese Maxey
Apren Sengun is the most underrated player in the sport as of right now. In a world with Chet Holmgren, Victor Wembanyama, and others, he may be the best offensive threat of them all. Sengun was solid the first few years of his career, averaging 15 points and eight boards a game according to Basketball Reference, but this year, those numbers have soared to 22.1 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, looking like a baby version of Nikola Jokic on the court. He is only improving at the young age of 21, and he should get some recognition for his stellar play on the court.
ALPEREN SENGUN TO JALEN GREEN WHAT A FEED AND SLAM!! pic.twitter.com/Q1uXFSLuUv
Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk HM: Tim Hardaway Jr., Jordan Clarkson
For the best bench player in the world, the high-flying Malik Monk is a great choice. Averaging 15 points and 5.5 assists, and putting up highlight plays nearly every night, he is one of the key cogs to the Kings engine. He has kept the Kings afloat in nights where stars De'aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are struggling.
MALIK MONK OH MY GOODNESS ?
Kings-Suns | Live on the NBA App
? https://t.co/wqLb9gbzTT pic.twitter.com/vPNWmq89Rm
Defensive Player of the Year: Rudy Gobert HM: OG Anunoby, Chet Holmgren
Another DPOY for Rudy Gobert’s collection, adding the fourth, tying Dikembe Mutombo and Ben Wallace as the only players to come home with the award four times from sportskeeda. He’s winning these awards for a reason, anchoring the statistical best defense in the NBA and that is all made possible by what he provides. His great rim protection and ability to clog up anything in the paint provides a lot of challenge for opposing teams when he’s on the floor. He averages his usual two blocks, but his impact as a defender will always go beyond the numbers. He has been stellar as the Timberwolves are tied with the Thunder as the best in the West. They wouldn’t be as good as they are without him and his defensive prowess.
Those are the awards at the midseason mark! However, most of these races are wide open especially with a chance to finish the closing stretch of the year strong. The NBA has had some special moments this year, and fans cannot wait to see how it concludes.