With just over a month to go until the start of the NBA Playoffs, award season is also upon us. Here are predictions for the 2024 NBA awards in April.
Most Valuable Player: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
The Oklahoma City Thunder came into this season with lofty expectations, but I don’t think we really expected them to be this good this soon. However, the Star from Toronto had other plans and now Oklahoma City is feeling like it’s 2012 again.This year, Gilgeous-Alexander has been torching opposing teams, dropping a cool 31-5-6 on a career high field goal percentage while leading the Thunder in a tight competition for the No. 1 seed in the west and potentially their first playoff series win since 2016.
Most Improved Player: Coby White
Coby White was asked to handle more of the offensive role for the Bulls this season. He has gone above and beyond, putting up career highs in points and assists. In what has otherwise been an abysmal season for Chicago, Coby White has been a light at the end of the tunnel.
Sixth Man of the Year: Malik Monk
The Kings were a shoe-in for the draft lottery for the better part of 16 years before finally making it back to the big dance. Led by Stars like De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis, they have lit the beam back into relevancy. However,one player tends to go under the radar that has been instrumental in the basketball renaissance in Sacramento, Malik Monk. Struggling to find a consistent role his first couple years in Charlotte and Los Angeles, he has thrived as a spark off the bench for the Kings. After finishing fifth last year in the Sixth Man of the Year race, he has elevated his game,averaging a career high 15.6 ppg and 5.3 assists while providing an elite shooting option that can light it up at any time.
Defensive Player of the Year : Victor Wembanyama
The Spurs since moving Wembanyamato the five spot have soared to a top 10 defense. The proof is in the pudding. It may seem crazy, but Wemby has already cemented himself as the best shot blocker in the league, averaging nearly five blocks and two steals in his last 10 games. His instincts and anticipation on the defensive end are second to none, and factor in his speed and agility and you have a guy who can potentially go down as one of the best if not the best defender of all time.
Coach of the Year: Chris Finch
The Timberwolves made a huge decision to trade for Rudy Gobert two years ago. In his first season with the Timberwolves, they struggled and many wrote off the trade as a huge failure. But as NFL quarterback Geno Smith would say “They wrote me off I ain’t write back though” the Timberwolves must’ve listened to Geno as they have completely flipped the script this year. Minnesota,led by a stingy defense and all star level play from Anthony Edwards, have skyrocketed to 43 wins, surpassing their total from last year with a month to go in the season. Unfortunately for Chris Finch, despite the amazing improvement, especially on the defensive side of the ball, they will most likely be without All Star Karl-Anthony Towns for some time with a likely torn meniscus.
Rookie of the Year: Victor Wembanyama
When you look up the word Phenom on Google and go under images, the first thing you’ll see is a photo of Victor Wembanyama. Touted as the best prospect since Lebron James, he has exceeded our expectations, averaging nearly a 20 point double-double each game to go along with leading the league in blocks per game, and top 15 in steals, respectively.. It might seem absurd, but I wouldn’t be opposed to saying that he already is a top 25 player in the league and the scariest thing is that Wembanyama is only going to get better. Don’t be shocked if he shoots into the top 10 next year and wins MVP by his third or fourth year.
