NBA Award Winner Predictions: Quarter Season Mark

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The 2022-23 NBA season has reached the quarter mark, with most teams playing 20-21 games.

There have been several surprises including the great start to the season by the Utah Jazz, the dominance of the Bucks and Celtics, and the underwhelming starts for the Warriors, Lakers, and Philadelphia. With the season a quarter of the way done, fans have been able to get a good look at teams and players this year while also predicting the 2023 award winners based on the season so far. With the season going the way it has so far, there are many unexpected names in the award races.

Coach of the Year

When Boston Celtics head coach Ime Udoka was suspended following his off-the-court actions, many expected the team to take a step back after losing. the coach that brought the team together on the defensive end. Instead of going out and hiring another coach, Boston made assistant coach Joe Mazzulla interim head coach while Udoka serves his suspension. 21 games in (at the time of this writing), Boston not only holds the best record in the Eastern Conference at 18-4 but the best record in the league. Mazzulla has led his team to a top-10 offense as well as being tied for the best defense in the league, with Robert Williams III not playing a game this season. Mazzulla has gotten the best out of his players this season as Jayson Tatum looks like an MVP contender, Jaylen Brown is having another strong season, and Malcolm Brogdon embracing his role as the team’s sixth man. Joe Mazzulla has improved on what Ime Udoka built with this team. Mazzulla has the potential to lead Boston back to the Finals and if they keep up the play, their first championship in 15 years.

Winner: Joe Mazzulla

Runner-Up: Mike Budenholzer

Rookie of the Year

While the 2022 draft class has several promising rookies, the ROY race has a few key names. First-overall pick Paolo Banchero has had a strong season, even though he has missed a few games this season. In the 14 games, he’s played this season, Banchero has put up 22.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG, and 3.5 APG. The Duke alum leads the Magic in scoring and his impact can be seen when he’s on the court and is missed when he’s not playing. In Indiana, Bennedict Mathurin has been a pleasant surprise for the Pacers. In the 20 games he has played so far this season, Mathurin has been a key for the young Pacers team, putting up 19.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, and 1.6 APG. Mathurin has played a significant role in the Pacers’ record and will be a key piece for the future of the franchise. Finally, Jaden Ivey has been becoming a must-watch rookie in Detroit. Ivey had a great opportunity to shine early in the season with Cade Cunningham missing multiple games. Even with Cunningham’s return, Ivey has been a key part of this young Pistons’ team. Currently putting up 16.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, and 4.3 APG, Ivey will continue to shine once he returns from his injury.

Winner: Paolo Banchero

Runner-Up: Bennedict Mathurin

6th Man of the Year

The 2023 Sixth Man of the Year race has some familiar names as well as unexpected names. A name that was significant throughout much of last year, Jordan Poole has been a bright spot for the Warriors bench. Averaging 15.9 PPG and 4.6 APG, Poole has been a key in the recent success of the Warriors. Although he was ultimately not considered for sixth man last season after starting 51 games, Klay Thompson’s return has resulted in Poole starting only four games so far this season. One surprising name in the sixth-man conversation is Pacers’ rookie Bennedict Mathurin. Putting up over 19.0 PPG, Mathurin is second in PPG for all bench players. The most surprising name in the Sixth Man conversation is Lakers veteran Russell Westbrook. Spending most of his career as a starter, many thought Westbrook would fail in a bench role when moved to the bench earlier this season. Westbrook has been a major addition to the Lakers’ bench. In the 15 games he has played off the bench this season, Westbrook has averaged 16.3 PPG, 7.9 APG, and 4.9 RPG. While many predicted Westbrook’s late career would look like Allen Iverson’s, Brodie has shown that he has not only accepted his new role but is thriving in it.

Winner: Russell Westbrook

Runner-Up: Jordan Poole

Defensive Player of the Year

The Defensive Player of the Year award has been dominated in recent years by Rudy Gobert, but some new and familiar names have entered the conversation. Giannis Antetokounmpo has re-entered the conversation after winning the award back in 2020. The Greek Freak has been one of the best defensive players this year, grabbing over 11 boards per game, along with a steal and block per game. Sophomore Evan Mobley has put up similar numbers on the defensive end, leading to Cleveland’s success this season. In Miami, Bam Adebayo has been a key in Miami’s top-five defense. As always, Rudy Gobert cannot be doubted. While he has taken a small step back, he has played a significant role in Minnesota having a top-15 defense. With Minnesota’s performance so far this season, it would be a long road for Gobert to win his fourth DPOY award.

Winner: Giannis Antetokounmpo

Runner-Up: Bam Adebayo

Most Improved Player of the Year

In recent years, the Most Improved Player of the year award has become more focused on the stats. Last season, winner Ja Morant took a giant leap from 19.1 PPG to 27.4 PPG. This season, there are a few names that should be considered for the award. With the current state of the award, the front-runner should be Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The young OKC guard has looked like an early-season MVP like Ja Morant last year. Jumping from 24.5 PPG to 31.1 PPG, SGA is currently third in points per game. While OKC has not had an amazing season so far, SGA has been a bright spot for the team and a must-watch player this season. Another player that should be included in the MIP conversation is Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen. Another player that has taken a big leap, Markkanen has jumped from 14.8 PPG to 22.2 PPG. Following his trade from Cleveland to Utah, Lauri has turned from a key starter to a star. In the early weeks of the season, Markkanen looked like he could be an MVP contender while also making a case for his first All-Star nod. If there’s one player who has truly improved this season, it would be Orlando’s Bol Bol. In his three seasons with Denver, Bol played a total of 53 regular season games, averaging less than 15.0 MPG and less than 6.0 PPG. Finally given a real chance this season, Bol Bol has averaged 13.5 PPG and 7.9 RPG. Recently putting up a career-high 26 points, Bol Bol looks to only improve as the season goes on.

Winner: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander

Runner-Up: Lauri Markkanen

Most Valuable Player

The most watched award of the year, the MVP award has been dominated by the front court the last handful of years. This season, the race is being dominated by two potential first-time winners. Dallas Mavericks point guard Luka Doncic has been putting up legendary numbers this season, starting off by breaking a Wilt Chamberlain record. In 19 games so far this season, Doncic has put up 33.5 PPG (a career-high and first in the league), 8.8 RPG, and 8.6 APG. The Mavericks have not been amazing this season, sitting at a 10-10 record. Without Luka, the. Mavericks would struggle. In Boston, Jayson Tatum has improved on the great season he had last year. Putting up 30.8 PPG, 7.7 RPG, and 4.6 APG, Tatum has been the key to Boston’s success. Currently the best team in the league, Boston would not be where they are without Tatum. With the Mavericks struggling, the MVP could be Tatum’s to win. Two other players that should be mentioned in the conversation are Warriors guard Steph Curry and Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic. Although Golden State has been struggling, Curry has been putting up numbers like his unanimous MVP season. With the Warriors sitting outside the playoff picture, it would be an uphill battle for Curry to win his third MVP. Another player aiming to win his third MVP award, Nikola Jokic has the hardest road to the award. Already the back-to-back MVP, Jokic is having another great season. Although his numbers have taken a slight dip, they are starting to pick back up. Currently holding the second-best record in the West, the first seed may be Jokic’s only chance at winning the award for the third time.

Winner: Jayson Tatum

Runner-Up: Luka Doncic