How Steph, Warriors fare in ESPN’s 2022-23 award predictions originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
After winning their fourth championship in eight seasons this summer, the 2022-23 Warriors are again set up for success.
Not only should Golden State be among the top teams in the Western Conference, but a handful of stars such as Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jordan Poole are expected to be in the running for individual awards such as NBA MVP, Defensive Player of the Year and Sixth Man of the Year.
A panel of ESPN analysts predicted how each of the regular-season awards will play out, with a first-place vote receiving five points, a second-place vote receiving three and a third-place vote receiving one.
MVP
ESPN’s panel predicts a fourth-place finish for Curry (14 points) behind Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo (43 points), Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić (40 points) and Philadelphia 76ers’ Joel Embiid (40 points).
Curry finished eighth in MVP voting last season after missing the final month of the regular season and posting one of his worst statistical shooting campaigns to date. A better 2022-23 season could certainly result in a higher likelihood of a third MVP award.
Defensive Player of the Year
Draymond Green is predicted to finish fifth behind Minnesota Timberwolves’ Rudy Gobert (43 points), Miami Heat’s Bam Adebayo (29 points), Antetokounmpo (21 points) and Phoenix Suns’ Mikal Bridges (19 points).
Green is a contender for Defensive Player of the Year pretty much year in and year out, so it should come as no surprise that he could take home his second such award if he is able to stay healthy this upcoming season.
Sixth Man of the Year
In what will likely be his first full season in the Sixth Man role, Poole (77 points) is predicted to take home the award ahead of Boston Celtics’ Malcolm Brogdon (22 points), Los Angeles Clippers’ John Wall (15 points), Miami Heat’s Tyler Herro (13 points) and Phoenix Suns’ Cam Johnson (9 points).
At one point during the 2021-22 regular season, Poole might have been a front-runner for Sixth Man of the Year. He ultimately did not qualify and ended up finishing fourth for the Most Improved Player award instead. With a full season in the Sixth Man role, he should be among the favorites to take home the award this upcoming season.
ESPN’s expert panel also predicted the records of the Western Conference’s top teams, with Golden State (55-27) posting the second-best record behind the Phoenix Suns (56-26). The Denver Nuggets (53-29) are predicted to finish third, followed by the Memphis Grizzlies (51-31), Los Angeles Clippers (50-32), Dallas Mavericks (49-33), Minnesota Timberwolves (49-33), New Orleans Pelicans (43-39), Los Angeles Lakers (42-40) and Portland Trail Blazers (35-47), rounding out the top-10 teams in the West.
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The Warriors are set up for success this upcoming season and for years to come. Whether that nets the organization another championship remains to be seen, but at least a few players will have the opportunity to take home some prestigious hardware one way or another.
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