As we reach the halfway mark of the NBA season, we’ve encountered some unexpected developments: an exhilarating tournament to kick off the season, the surprising presence of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Oklahoma City Thunder atop the Western Conference standings, and Kyrie Irving steering clear of controversies with the Dallas Mavericks.
Now, as we assess the season so far, it’s time to anticipate the superlatives. Of course, things might evolve, but for now, here’s our take on how the awards and playoffs will unfold.
Selecting the MVP is a challenging task. If we focus on the best player or the one who has had the most outstanding season, the contenders are Nikola Jokic and Joel Embiid. However, Embiid’s eligibility might be in question as he needs to play 65 games, and he seems likely to fall short of that threshold. Nonetheless, he has delivered an exceptional season when he’s been on the court.
If the emphasis is on the player primarily responsible for his team’s success, the contenders become Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards. Both players have played pivotal roles in elevating their teams from just above and just below .500 last season to the top of the Western Conference this season. Nikola Jokic, being crucial to his team’s success, fits into both categories. If Jokic were removed from the Nuggets, they would probably be competing for a play-in game. Hence, we’ll predict Jokic to secure this award for the third time.
First and foremost, it’s important to acknowledge that unless an unforeseen event occurs, Victor Wembanyama is poised to become one of the best players in NBA history. With the versatility to play all five positions on the floor, he epitomizes the ideal player for positionless basketball. However, despite his individual prowess, the performance of his team has been subpar.
Given that Holmgren is a crucial contributor to the Thunder’s pursuit of the top seed in the Western Conference, he deserves the recognition for this accolade.
