Ding-dong! A week before the start of this 2023-24 NBA season, and we therefore play the usual little game of predictions. Seven individual trophies at stake, a ring to go for, an All-Star Game to aim for… the editorial team has had its say and is giving you its opinion on some hot topics. Today ? The MIP trophy, the “Most Improved Player”, which rewards each year the player who has progressed the most!
Giovanni : Michal Bridges
Transferred during last season from the Suns to the Nets, Mikal Bridges reacted in a very mature manner. Michel Ponts understood the business and he quickly adapted to it by becoming the leader in Brooklyn. After 27 matches in the East, he showed that he was not in the West (funny that) and immediately participated in the 2023 World Cup with Team USA. Next step? Knock everything out with Brooklyn, become an All-Star and assert himself as one of the best players in the League. MIP in 2023 and we just change one letter in a few years?
Nico M
Nico V : Mikal Bridges
A potential MIP, this Mikal. What is missing to claim the trophy? Nothing on paper, even if we would prefer to mention it in a more prestigious race than that of the MIP. Let’s not skip ahead, Mikal must already show that he can plant 25 pawns over a full season with the Nets. Which is within his ropes, provided that his group is solid so as not to leave him at the mercy of the defenses. Which is within the group’s strings too. Come on, there’s more!
Alex T : Tyrese Maxey
I suspect that most of my classmates will opt for Mikal Bridges, a logical choice, so radiant since his arrival in Brooklyn. Personally, I really want to bet on the powerhouse Tyrese Maxey on the Philly side. Already 20 points on average last year but a new milestone expected this season, even more if James Harden were to leave the ship in the coming days or weeks. We do not expect the bearded man to be replaced by a major player if there is a trade and Maxey would therefore have carte blanche as number 2 behind Jojo Embiid. 26 points on average, an invitation to the All-Star Game with the substitutes and a statuette at the end of the season for Maxey, we believe it.
Clement: Mikal Bridges
We have already seen his change in dimension during his second part of the season with the Nets, and now, we will be able to enjoy it over a full campaign. 26 points, 4.5 rebounds and almost 3 assists on average since his arrival in Brooklyn while still defending just as hard. These are the stats of a guy who makes his first All-Star selection without forcing, and by having the keys to the sedan with Biggie Smalls, there is no doubt that he will continue the momentum of his good World Cup. Forget the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, the most fashionable bridge in the Big Apple is called Mikal, and we can already engrave its name on the trophy, just to save a little time.
Robin : Franz Wagner
The odds are big, but not as much as the boy’s talent. Moritz’s little brother, Killian Hayes’ official punching bag, impressed this summer during the World Cup. Injured for most of the competition, the German returned in the quarter-finals and wasted no time getting back into rhythm; performances at 16, 19 and 22 points which greatly contributed to offering his country the first title in its history. I can imagine him riding this wave and achieving a season averaging more than 24 units in a franchise that is progressing, thus proving to the world of orange ball that the Magic does indeed have two future All-Stars on its wings.
2023-10-16 08:17:00
#progression #editorial #team #decided
