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The past couple of weeks have been a bit emotional & distracting for which I want to apologize for that. So this is a little bit late but here are my mid-season awards, all-star starter picks (Yes it’s late but still) and five things we have learned so far in the 2022-2023 season, so let’s begin with slightly late choices I had for NBA all-star game starters.
My NBA All Star Starter Picks
East Picks
Donovan Mitchell (Cavs)
Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers)
Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Pascal Siakam (Raptors)
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
*Kevin Durant was out due to injury*
West Picks
Luka Doncic (Mavs)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder)
Zion Williamson (Pelicans)
Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
Nikola Jokic (Nuggets)
*LeBron James and Stephen Curry are going to have their share of votes without mine (laughs)*
Mid-Season Awards
MVP- Luka Doncic & Nikola Jokic (Tie/Split)
I could not decide on one of these talented players so I chose to split the mid-season MVP award between Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic who have been having incredible first halves of the season that will make the race insanely tight at season’s end.
Honorable Mentions- Kevin Durant (Nets), Jayson Tatum (Celtics), Joel Embiid (76ers), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks)
Rookie of the First Half- Bennedict Mathurin (Pacers)
As much as Magic’s rookie sensation Paolo Banchero has had a good start to his career, the surprising explosion of Bennedict Mathurin has to make the rookie sensation of the first half of this season. I picked Mathurin to win ROY before the season so with his amazing play which has helped the Pacers make a playoff appearance which was not expected and give the team hope going forward.
Honorable Mention- Paolo Banchero (Magic) & Walker Kessler (Jazz)
Defensive Player of the First Half- Bam Adebayo (Heat)
Despite the Heat having a little disappointing start to the season one bright spot has been the amazing defensive performance of Bam Adebayo that is possibly keeping the playoff hopes viable for the Heat. This award should be his barring any injury that takes him out for a lengthy period of time.
Honorable Mention- Jaren Jackson Jr (Grizzlies), OG Anunoby (Raptors), Brook Lopez (Bucks)
Sixth Man- Malcolm Brogdon
The Celtics are clicking on all cylinders and one of the reasons is their sixth man Malcom Brogdon, who is thriving in that role as Brogdon has been the steady and reliable hand that has kept their excellent play and depth for the Celtics and hopefully leads to a return to the finals.
Honorable Mention- Tyus Jones (Grizzlies), Norm Powell (Clippers), Russell Westbrook (Lakers)
Most Improved Player- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
As much as I wanted to put SGA in the MVP spot, I have to be reasonable, and he has been the most improved player of the half hands down. Gilgeous-Alexander is finally showing how talented he is and rightfully placing in the top players in the league discussion as well as giving the Thunder a fighter’s chance to be in the playoff picture.
Honorable Mention- Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Bol Bol (Magic)
Coach of the First Half- J.B. Bickerstaff
When it comes to this award to me J.B. Bickerstaff has to be the choice. Bickerstaff has done an excellent job with this promising Cavalier team with a 34-22 record and smoothly blending in all-star Donovan Mitchell into their system which has made them a dangerous team to see when the playoff starts.
Honorable Mention- Willie Green (Pelicans), Will Hardy (Jazz), Joe Mazzulla (Celtics)
Team Blatantly Tanking- Houston Rockets
Several teams are or should be tanking their season to improve their lottery odds to get French prospect Victor Wembanyama, but the one team that has absolutely no shame in doing this is the Houston Rockets. Sadly wasting a meaningful season for sophomore stud Jalen Green, Alperen Sengun as well as rookies Jabari Smith Jr and Tari Eason to name a few, there is not a sign that the front office has a real plan but maybe wasting this season could lead to a bright future and opportunity to be an upcoming team if they land the pick to select Wembanyama.
Honorable Mention- San Antonio Spurs & Charlotte Hornets
Most Disappointing Team- Minnesota Timberwolves
The most disappointing team so far is easily the Minnesota Timberwolves, who had high expectations going into the season after giving a massive haul to the Jazz to get center Rudy Gobert which hasn’t been a success to say the least. The construction and chemistry of this team has been horrible especially when it comes to their bright, young superstar Anthony Edwards causing rightful frustration from him along with the horrible parring of Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns has led to their disappointing performance so far.
Honorable Mention- Atlanta Hawks, Toronto Raptors, Phoenix Suns
Most Surprising Team- Sacramento Kings
Never thought I would say something good about the Kings but here we go! The most surprising team so far has been the Sacramento Kings who have caught the NBA off guard and are currently third in the west at 30-23. The amazing play from the amazing lefty duo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis paired with the steady coaching of Mike Brown has led to this shocking start for the Kings so LIGHT THE BEAM!
Honorable Mention- Utah Jazz, Indiana Pacers, New York Knicks
5 Things we have learned so far!
#1 The Points Party- Scoring is on the rise! Both individual and team scoring have spiked where some stat lines have been completely unreal. With Joel Embiid and Luka Doncic leading the league in scoring at 33 points per game as well as the Celtics and Nuggets lead the teams in scoring with 117 point per game is confirmation that this scoring surge is a real thing and makes for some hopefully exciting playoff games.
#2 LeBron’s 20th Season- The timing is perfect considering what happened last night with LeBron James becoming the all-time leading scorer further validating his legacy and amazing season he is having this late in a lengthy career. Averaging 30 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists per game while single handedly carrying a Lakers team into the play in picture at best.
#3 Jokic Hitting Another Level
Our back to back MVP could possibly be hitting another level of play that could lead to a three peat MVP run for the Nuggets center. Averaging a triple double so far this season (25,11 & 10) while leading the Nuggets to the top spot in the west makes his cases to win another MVP and solidifying his title of best center in basketball, sorry Joel Embiid and his fans.
#4 Fox & Sabonis (Lefties Stick Together!)
Here I am giving the Kings praise in the way of their exciting and promising duo/combo of De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis aka the Leftastic Voyage (Working Title) have done this season. The duo has totally wreaked havoc on teams simply because their left-handed which throws everyone off and gives them a unique advantage that may be helpful if they make the playoffs.
#5 The LM (Load Management) Clippers
The last thing we have learned is that the Clippers are the poster boy of the load management issue in the NBA. Paul George and more so Kawhi Leonard have probably clocked in more time in load management than he has played this season with the Clippers who again have title aspirations and many people’s pick to win the title. As much as the load management approach is a long-haul plan but it has completely hindered the team’s rhythm, chemistry, and ability to execute for head coach Tyronn Lue who has made the absolute best of this situation.
