NBA
Who did the experts at ESPN pick as the MVP for the upcoming NBA season?
According to ESPN experts, the Mavs will not repeat as finalists, the champion will once again be the Boston Celtics and Wembanyama will win two awards.
![According to ESPN experts, the Mavs will not repeat as finalists; the champion will once again be the Boston Celtics, and Wembanyama will win two awards.](https://img.asmedia.epimg.net/resizer/v2/ITNK47DV6KLWZXVJBBKCHDKPMA.jpg?auth=663c1807d0272b48ff3cec3ea2ea27febe4f40cb1bd10cf277cbcb4239f67044&width=360&height=203&focal=3573%2C2248)
Every year, as the new NBA season approaches, it’s time for predictions. These predictions vary widely and often don’t turn out to be accurate. Many people pay close attention to the ESPN panel of experts’ predictions, which include team performances and individual awards for the upcoming season.
When considering the potential outcomes for the conference finals and the NBA Finals, it’s clear that the defending champions, the Boston Celtics, are heavily favored to repeat. They are expected to dominate the Eastern Conference and have a strong chance of winning the Finals again. Other strong contenders in the East include the Philadelphia 76ers and the New York Knicks, who have made significant efforts in free agency to compete at the highest level. Additionally, they seem ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks, considered the second favorite last year. This is especially true given the challenging first season of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard playing together.
The Mavericks made it to the finals in the Western Conference but are not considered the most trusted team in the West. The Thunder, who lost to the Texans in the second round, are favorites to win the conference and have the second-highest number of votes to win the title. The Wolves are ahead of the Mavericks and Nuggets (the last two finalists in the West), while Luka Doncic’s team does not even appear in the top five for the title. After the Celtics and Thunder, the Sixers and Nuggets are next in line, with the Bucks and Knicks tied for fifth place.
WINNER OF THE EAST CONFERENCE
- Boston Celtics (97 points)
- Philadelphia 76ers (39)
- New York Knicks (38)
- Milwaukee Bucks (13)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (2)
WESTERN CONFERENCE WINNER
- Oklahoma City Thunder (83 points)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (48)
- Dallas Mavericks (29)
- Denver Nuggets (18)
- Phoenix Suns (8)
NBA WINNER 2024-25
- Boston Celtics (82 points)
- Oklahoma City Thunder (37)
- Philadelphia 76ers (18)
- Denver Nuggets (13)
- Milwaukee Bucks (9)
- New York Knicks (9)
Doncic is performing exceptionally well individually. The Slovenian is currently the favorite to win the MVP for the first time, with a clear lead over Nikola Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. These three are the final candidates for the award, but the rankings have changed. Doncic has moved up from third to first place, and if Jokic doesn’t win, he will miss out on his chance for a fourth Best Player award. Only five players in history have achieved this feat: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (six), Michael Jordan, and Bill Russell (five each), and Wilt Chamberlain and LeBron James (four).
Victor Wembanyama’s performance is remarkable. He won Rookie of the Year in his first season and is expected to be named ESPN’s Best Defender and Most Improved Player in his second season. Surprisingly, the top two picks, Frenchmen Zacharie Risacher and Alex Sarr are not among the top five favorites for Rookie of the Year.
MVP
- Luka Doncic (Mavericks), 61 points (48% of early votes)
- Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), 40 points (10%)
- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), 37 points (24%)
- Anthony Edwards (Wolves), 15 (5%)
- Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), 13 (5%)
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
- Reed Sheppard (Rockets), 74 points (62% of early votes)
- Zach Edey (Grizzlies), 40 points (14%)
- Donovan Clingan (Blazers), 27 points (10%)
- Stephon Castle (Spurs), 23 points 10%)
- Rob Dillingham (Wolves), 10 points
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), 76 points (67% of first votes)
- Rudy Gobert (Wolves), 29 points (5%)
- Bam Adebayo (Heat), 26 points (14%)
- Anthony Davis (Lakers), 14 points
- Mikal Bridges (Knicks), 10 points (5%)
BEST SIXTH MAN
- Malik Monk (Kings), 38 points (19% of early votes)
- Alex Caruso (Thunder), 38 points (19%)
- Naz Reid (Wolves), 29 points (19%)
- Jaime Jaquez Jr (Heat), 18 points (10%)
- TJ McConnell (Pacers), 13 points (10%)
MOST IMPROVED PLAYER
- Victor Wembanyama (Spurs), 26 points (14% of first votes)
- Jalen Williams (Thunder), 26 points (10%)
- Coby White (Bulls), 25 points (14%)
- Cade Cunningham (Pistons), 22 points (14%)
- Cam Thomas (Nets), 14 points (10%)
COACH OF THE YEAR
- Tom Thibodeau (Knicks), 29 points (19% of early votes)
- Mark Daigneault (Thunder), 24 points (19%)
- Joe Mazzulla (Celtics), 22 points (19%)
- Gregg Popovich (Spurs), 18 points (5%)
- Kenny Atkinson (Cavaliers), 16 points (14%)